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Summer Road Trips in Colorado

Routes

30

Avg Distance

412 mi

Avg Drive

8h 28m

Destinations

20

Colorado in summer means accessing incredible high-altitude terrain. With 30 routes averaging 411 miles and 508 minutes, you can explore diverse landscapes. The drives here frequently ascend, with max elevations reaching over 10,000 feet on some trips. This season offers ample daylight for exploring parks and enjoying the dramatic mountain scenery.

Planning Tips

Carry extra water — summer heat in the car and at rest stops dehydrates faster than you think.
Start drives early or late to avoid peak afternoon heat, especially through desert or plains stretches.
Check your tire pressure before long summer drives — hot pavement increases blowout risk with underinflated tires.

Frequently Asked Questions

We've identified 30 routes in Colorado that work well for summer travel, based on drive quality, typical weather conditions, and distance (averaging 412 miles).

Drive times and distances come from actual road network data via OSRM. Fuel costs use current state-level gas prices. Drive scores factor in elevation profile, road variety, and terrain. All data is recalculated regularly.

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.

Summer Routes

Editor's pick

Englewood, CO → Kathleen, FL

1846.5 mi 33h 30m Score: 8/10

Covering 1,846 miles, this long-haul option spans multiple states, offering a substantial cross-country experience with a high drive score of 8.

Editor's pick

Centennial, CO → Dallas, TX

781.5 mi 14h 3m Score: 8/10

This 781-mile trek features high-altitude sections and notable climbs, topping out at 6,911 feet, with access to parks along the way for a drive score of 8.

Editor's pick

Cortez, CO → Greeley, CO

439.7 mi 9h 46m Score: 9/10

A standout internal Colorado route, this 439-mile drive navigates mountain terrain with significant elevation changes, reaching up to 10,254 feet, and boasts a top drive score of 9.

Greeley, CO → Durango, CO

395.4 mi 8h 46m Score: 8/10

Pueblo, CO → Rangely, CO

387.2 mi 8h 1m Score: 9/10

Aurora, CO → Cortez, CO

387.1 mi 8h 51m Score: 9/10

Cortez, CO → Denver, CO

378.5 mi 8h 39m Score: 9/10

Denver, CO → Cortez, CO

378.5 mi 8h 39m Score: 9/10

Aurora, CO → Mancos, CO

369.6 mi 8h 23m Score: 9/10

Telluride, CO → Thornton, CO

368.8 mi 7h 33m Score: 8/10

Durango, CO → Longmont, CO

361.7 mi 8h 16m Score: 9/10

Montrose, CO → Fort Collins, CO

356.5 mi 6h 56m Score: 9/10

Centennial, CO → Bayfield, CO

349.4 mi 7h 10m Score: 9/10

Boulder, CO → Durango, CO

347.7 mi 8h 1m Score: 8/10

Aurora, CO → Durango, CO

342.9 mi 7h 51m Score: 10/10

Colorado Springs, CO → Rangely, CO

342.7 mi 7h 14m Score: 10/10

Westminster, CO → Durango, CO

338.3 mi 7h 42m Score: 8/10

Delta, CO → Fort Collins, CO

336.4 mi 6h 28m Score: 9/10

Pueblo, CO → Meeker, CO

335 mi 6h 37m Score: 10/10

Ouray, CO → Denver, CO

332.4 mi 6h 40m Score: 8/10

Colorado Springs, CO → Loma, CO

325.4 mi 6h 1m Score: 9/10

Aurora, CO → Bayfield, CO

323.9 mi 7h 24m Score: 10/10

Fort Collins, CO → Rangely, CO

322.3 mi 7h 8m Score: 8/10

Fort Morgan, CO → Grand Junction, CO

321.3 mi 5h 55m Score: 8/10

Ridgway, CO → Lakewood, CO

318.6 mi 6h 20m Score: 8/10

Bayfield, CO → Denver, CO

315.3 mi 7h 13m Score: 10/10

Fort Collins, CO → Fruita, CO

314.3 mi 5h 51m Score: 8/10

Durango, CO → Colorado Springs, CO

313.2 mi 6h 41m Score: 10/10

Montrose, CO → Aurora, CO

310.2 mi 6h 6m Score: 8/10

Pagosa Springs, CO → Centennial, CO

308.6 mi 6h 17m Score: 10/10

Explore More

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