Best Route into Denver coming from South (Limon: college, vs.)

[brookbay6]

I'm hoping to get some local advice!
I'm coming to Denver on Friday from Amarillo, TX. Mapquest has me taking 287 most the way into Denver on I-70. Google maps has me taking I27 most of the way & on into Denver.

Does anyone suggest the best route? Will be arriving in Denver around 4:00 pm. Concern over weather rather than timing. I'd rather take the safer route vs. the quickest.

Thanks!

[bluescreen73]

If you're coming from Amarillo just take 287 to Limon and I70 into Denver. It's a 2-lane road from Stratford, TX, to Limon, but it's a heavily traveled truck route. It's not like you'll be alone in the boonies, and the road is in decent shape.

[TexaCo Mom]

Not sure what your talking about taking I27 all the way into Denver, since it doesn't. We have taken the 287 route up to Limon and picked up I70. It's an OK drive. It (287) can be a little treacherous in the snow/ice. The route my husband prefers is taking 287 to Dumas and then cut over & up on 87 which will take you through Raton, NM and pick up I25. Unless there's been a really bad snow/ice storm, I25 is kept much clearer than the other route. We generally make a trip to/from Texas at least once a year.

[brookbay6]

Yes - you are right. I meant to say I-25 not I-27. Thanks!

[steveco.]

I wouldn't worry to much about conditions I think friday its supposed to be in the 40's in denver with a chance for a rain snow mix so it won't exactly be treacherous

[401402]

quickest 287 by far i take it 4 times a yr to dallas

[WolfBoy914]

287 may be slightly quicker... but through Dalhart to Raton and up 25 is far more pretty.

Going to Dallas I am surprised you didn't go 70 through Salina, South on 135/35 past Wichita and OKC. It wasn't much longer and I kept the speed pretty high last time I came back from Denver, much faster than coming down 287. Much. And no stoplights. Ugh.

We are heading up to Denver Saturday morning and I plan to go through Raton unless some last minute bad weather moves in. I love to see the mountains grow in the distance as you come in past Capulin. Then the drive up past Spanish Peaks and Greenhorn then Pikes... they feel like friends keeping me company. If you see a silver Honda CRV with me, the mrs (and her Randolph-Macon Woman's College sticker) and a light brown pup honk and say hey.

I love Colorado.

[bluescreen73]

Originally Posted by WolfBoy914

287 may be slightly quicker... but through Dalhart to Raton and up 25 is far more pretty.

Going to Dallas I am surprised you didn't go 70 through Salina, South on 135/35 past Wichita and OKC.

We do the same drive (Dallas to CO) and much prefer 287. Driving 35/135/70 may be faster but you spend most of your time in Kansas which makes the drive BRUTAL. At least when you're on 287 you spend about 7.5 hours in Texas, 90 minutes in OK, and the last 3 hours in Colorado.

[WolfBoy914]

ok... 7.5 hours in Texas is better for what reason. I am not being a jerk, seriously asking.

Yeah it's flat. But that also means no serious hills for your car to power over and waste fuel. From Dallas it's an hour longer to do 287.

Now. I agree that it is far prettier. There is no question at all. But you stated time as your reasoning.

[bluescreen73]

You traverse 3 states as opposed to 4. Once you get out of Texas over half the drive is behind you (as opposed to about 85% of it being in front of you when you go up 35). Plus it's nice to slow down for all those little towns along the way.