I 25 thru Denver

Mountain Mama wrote:

Thom02099 wrote:

Mountain Mama wrote:
Is this the best route thru Denver or should we take the loop to the East?

Depends on the time of day and where you ultimately want to be. If you're passing through with no stops in the Metro area, and between 9am and 2pm during the week, then going straight through is not overly difficult. There are ALWAYS backups on the north end, headed northbound, where I-76/US 36/I-25 all meet, and then again in the stretch from 84th to 104th Ave, due to construction and volume slowing. This 2nd stretch is true both northbound and southbound.

Taking E-470 around doesn't necessarily save you time, particularly on the south end from I-25 around to the Parker exit and on to Aurora. Volume can beh heavy all the time there, though maybe not as much as going straight through on I-25. Again, time of day will make a difference, as well as weekend traffic.

If you take E-470 around, be prepared for a shock when you get the toll bill in the mail. It's about $25 all the way around for a passenger vehicle, and a lot more when pulling a trailer. No toll booths though (they were eliminated in favour of the license plate reader system), so you'll get a bill in the mail a few months after going through. It can be paid on line, is very simple to do...just not cheap!

Ok, that ansewrs my question! Didn't realize the loop on east side was toll! We can probably do mid day on I 25! We'll be coming from Raton north toward Yellowstone!!

Just a different thought as to how to approach Denver going to Yellowstone, jump off as soon as possible and explore some of Colorado, you have a number of opportunities to drive through some of the most beautiful areas in the SouthWest.

Great Sand Dunes NP
Buena Vista and the Arkansas River Valley – soon to be a NM
Leadville, Red Cliff, Minturn – possible ski Resorts – many
San Juan’s – Silverton - Ouray – Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP
Maroon Bells
Colorado River along I-70
Rifle
Dinosaur NM
Flaming Gorge
Wind River Valley

Then on up to Yellowstone – avoiding the headache of Denver traffic and the dull interstate drive, Just my way to avoid Denver traffic and enjoy the drive to Yellowstone NP.

But I just love to drive in the Rockies – any opportunity to see these sites is not to be avoided, as I always try to make the trip as good as the destination.

BOL,