Skip to main content
US Trip Planner Logo
US Trip Planner

Scenic Drives in Colorado

Routes

60

Avg Distance

402 mi

Avg Drive

8h 17m

Destinations

29

Not every route in Colorado is memorable, but these 60 are. Each scores at least 7/10 for drive quality, meaning real elevation changes, scenic stretches, and roads that feel like more than just pavement between two points.

Fuel snapshot for this state

Regular

$4.29/gal

Diesel: $5.60/gal

Typical trip cost

$54–$312

One-way, ~402 mi avg @ 25.4 MPG

CO₂ per trip

~141 kg

ICE vehicle, one-way average

Source: US Energy Information Administration • week of 2026-08-31

Climate through the year: Colorado

Colorado peaks at around 90°F in Jul and cools to 44°F / 18°F in Dec. Wettest month is May at ~2.2 in of rain.

Month High °F Low °F Rain in
Jan 45 19 0.4
Feb 46 20 0.4
Mar 56 28 0.9
Apr 62 34 1.7
May 71 44 2.2
Jun 83 53 1.9
Jul 90 60 2.1
Aug 88 58 1.6
Sep 80 50 1.4
Oct 65 37 1
Nov 53 26 0.6
Dec 44 18 0.4

Source: NOAA NCEI Monthly Climate Normals, 1991–2020 reference period. Sampled at the major-airport station for CO — microclimates along specific routes can vary significantly.

Planning Tips

Frequently Asked Questions

We rate routes on a 1-10 drive score based on elevation changes, road variety, and terrain diversity. The 60 routes listed here all score 7 or higher.
Current regular gas averages $4.29/gallon in Colorado (week of 2026-08-31). Diesel: $5.60/gallon. A typical one-way trip on these routes costs between $54 and $312. Source: US Energy Information Administration.
Drive times and distances come from OSRM routing over real OpenStreetMap road networks. Fuel costs use weekly US Energy Information Administration state-level gas prices. Drive scores factor in elevation profile, road variety, and terrain. EV charging data is sourced from NREL. Climate normals come from NOAA NCEI (1991–2020 reference period). Hazard data comes from FEMA and USGS public feeds.
Yes. Click any route to see its full trip page with turn-by-turn directions, fuel cost estimates, elevation profile, stop suggestions, weather conditions, and more.

Top Scenic Routes

Englewood, CO → Kathleen, FL

1846.5 mi 33h 30m Score: 8/10 ~$312 fuel

Through: Kansas City → Illinois → Knoxville +1 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Black Forest, CO → Mountain Home, AR

862.9 mi 15h 53m Score: 8/10 ~$146 fuel

Through: Kansas City → Lawrence → Grandview +2 more

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Centennial, CO → Dallas, TX

781.5 mi 14h 3m Score: 8/10 ~$132 fuel

Through: Loop 335

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Fort Collins, CO → Towaoc, CO

455.3 mi 10h 9m Score: 7/10 ~$77 fuel

Through: Grand Junction

5 tricky spots

Cortez, CO → Fort Collins, CO

441.3 mi 9h 47m Score: 9/10 ~$79 fuel

Through: Denver → Colorado Springs

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Cortez, CO → Greeley, CO

439.7 mi 9h 46m Score: 9/10 ~$79 fuel

Through: Denver

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Loveland, CO → Cortez, CO

427.4 mi 9h 32m Score: 7/10 ~$72 fuel

Through: Grand Junction

5 tricky spots

Fort Collins, CO → Telluride, CO

421.7 mi 8h 28m Score: 9/10 ~$71 fuel

Through: Grand Junction → Delta

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Towaoc, CO → Aurora, CO

402.2 mi 9h 15m Score: 8/10 ~$68 fuel
5 tricky spots High drive quality

Castle Rock, CO → Cortez, CO

397.9 mi 8h 22m Score: 9/10 ~$67 fuel

Through: Alamosa

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Greeley, CO → Durango, CO

395.4 mi 8h 46m Score: 8/10 ~$67 fuel
5 tricky spots High drive quality

Centennial, CO → Mancos, CO

395 mi 8h 9m Score: 9/10 ~$65 fuel

Through: Alamosa

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Fort Collins, CO → Ouray, CO

392.3 mi 7h 42m Score: 10/10 ~$66 fuel

Through: Grand Junction → Delta

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Boulder, CO → Cortez, CO

392 mi 9h Score: 8/10 ~$66 fuel
5 tricky spots High drive quality

Pueblo, CO → Rangely, CO

387.2 mi 8h 1m Score: 9/10 ~$69 fuel

Through: Lakewood → Meeker

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Aurora, CO → Cortez, CO

387.1 mi 8h 51m Score: 9/10 ~$65 fuel
5 tricky spots High drive quality

Lakewood, CO → Towaoc, CO

386.2 mi 8h 52m Score: 8/10 ~$65 fuel
5 tricky spots High drive quality

Loveland, CO → Durango, CO

383.2 mi 8h 32m Score: 8/10 ~$65 fuel

Through: Grand Junction

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Cortez, CO → Denver, CO

378.5 mi 8h 39m Score: 9/10 ~$68 fuel
5 tricky spots High drive quality

Arvada, CO → Cortez, CO

378.3 mi 8h 36m Score: 8/10 ~$64 fuel
5 tricky spots High drive quality

Bayfield, CO → Fort Collins, CO

378 mi 8h 21m Score: 9/10 ~$64 fuel

Through: Denver → Colorado Springs

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Aurora, CO → Mountain Village, CO

375.7 mi 7h 41m Score: 8/10 ~$63 fuel

Through: Grand Junction → Delta

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Centennial, CO → Mountain Village, CO

373.8 mi 7h 37m Score: 9/10 ~$63 fuel

Through: Grand Junction → Delta

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Telluride, CO → Centennial, CO

372.9 mi 7h 39m Score: 8/10 ~$63 fuel

Through: Lakewood

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Mancos, CO → Thornton, CO

370.4 mi 8h 21m Score: 9/10 ~$66 fuel

Through: Denver

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Aurora, CO → Mancos, CO

369.6 mi 8h 23m Score: 9/10 ~$62 fuel
5 tricky spots High drive quality

Telluride, CO → Thornton, CO

368.8 mi 7h 33m Score: 8/10 ~$62 fuel
5 tricky spots High drive quality

Westminster, CO → Mancos, CO

364.9 mi 8h 14m Score: 8/10 ~$62 fuel
5 tricky spots High drive quality

Pueblo, CO → Fruita, CO

364.8 mi 6h 44m Score: 9/10 ~$65 fuel

Through: Lakewood

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Telluride, CO → Westminster, CO

363.6 mi 7h 27m Score: 8/10 ~$61 fuel
5 tricky spots High drive quality

Durango, CO → Longmont, CO

361.7 mi 8h 16m Score: 9/10 ~$65 fuel

Through: Denver

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Denver, CO → Mancos, CO

360.9 mi 8h 11m Score: 9/10 ~$61 fuel
5 tricky spots High drive quality

Montrose, CO → Fort Collins, CO

356.5 mi 6h 56m Score: 9/10 ~$60 fuel

Through: Colorado Springs

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Centennial, CO → Bayfield, CO

349.4 mi 7h 10m Score: 9/10 ~$59 fuel

Through: Alamosa

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Boulder, CO → Durango, CO

347.7 mi 8h 1m Score: 8/10 ~$59 fuel
5 tricky spots High drive quality

Aurora, CO → Ouray, CO

346.1 mi 6h 54m Score: 8/10 ~$58 fuel

Through: Grand Junction → Delta

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Fort Collins, CO → Orchard City, CO

344.8 mi 6h 37m Score: 8/10 ~$58 fuel

Through: Grand Junction → Delta

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Greeley, CO → Orchard City, CO

344 mi 6h 38m Score: 8/10 ~$58 fuel

Through: Grand Junction → Delta

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Ouray, CO → Centennial, CO

343.5 mi 6h 52m Score: 8/10 ~$61 fuel

Through: Lakewood

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Aurora, CO → Durango, CO

342.9 mi 7h 51m Score: 10/10 ~$58 fuel
5 tricky spots High drive quality

Colorado Springs, CO → Rangely, CO

342.7 mi 7h 14m Score: 10/10 ~$58 fuel

Through: Lakewood → Meeker

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Ouray, CO → Thornton, CO

339.4 mi 6h 47m Score: 8/10 ~$57 fuel
5 tricky spots High drive quality

Durango, CO → Westminster, CO

338.6 mi 7h 43m Score: 10/10 ~$57 fuel
5 tricky spots High drive quality

Aurora, CO → Ridgway, CO

336.8 mi 6h 42m Score: 8/10 ~$60 fuel

Through: Grand Junction → Delta

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Delta, CO → Fort Collins, CO

336.4 mi 6h 28m Score: 9/10 ~$57 fuel

Through: Colorado Springs

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Pueblo, CO → Meeker, CO

335 mi 6h 37m Score: 10/10 ~$57 fuel

Through: Lakewood

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Centennial, CO → Ridgway, CO

334.9 mi 6h 39m Score: 9/10 ~$57 fuel

Through: Grand Junction → Delta

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Denver, CO → Ouray, CO

333 mi 6h 38m Score: 9/10 ~$59 fuel

Through: Grand Junction → Delta

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Thornton, CO → Ridgway, CO

330.2 mi 6h 33m Score: 8/10 ~$56 fuel

Through: Grand Junction → Delta

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Lakewood, CO → Ouray, CO

328.3 mi 6h 30m Score: 9/10 ~$55 fuel

Through: Grand Junction → Delta

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Colorado Springs, CO → Loma, CO

325.4 mi 6h 1m Score: 9/10 ~$58 fuel

Through: Lakewood

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Westminster, CO → Ridgway, CO

325.1 mi 6h 26m Score: 8/10 ~$55 fuel

Through: Grand Junction → Delta

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Aurora, CO → Bayfield, CO

323.9 mi 7h 24m Score: 10/10 ~$56 fuel
5 tricky spots High drive quality

Fountain, CO → Grand Junction, CO

323.4 mi 6h 3m Score: 9/10 ~$55 fuel

Through: Lakewood

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Delta, CO → Loveland, CO

323.2 mi 6h 15m Score: 8/10 ~$55 fuel

Through: Colorado Springs

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Fort Collins, CO → Rangely, CO

322.3 mi 7h 8m Score: 8/10 ~$54 fuel
5 tricky spots High drive quality

Fort Morgan, CO → Grand Junction, CO

321.3 mi 5h 55m Score: 8/10 ~$57 fuel
5 tricky spots High drive quality

Colorado Springs, CO → Fruita, CO

320.3 mi 5h 57m Score: 9/10 ~$57 fuel

Through: Lakewood

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Ridgway, CO → Lakewood, CO

318.6 mi 6h 20m Score: 8/10 ~$54 fuel
5 tricky spots High drive quality

Grand Junction, CO → Fort Carson, CO

316.8 mi 6h 3m Score: 9/10 ~$57 fuel

Through: Lakewood → Colorado Springs

5 tricky spots High drive quality

Explore More

Colorado Trips