Driving through Denver from Salt Lake.... (Grand Junction, Steamboat Springs: neighborhood, price, safe)

[Carnahan]

I was wondering which route is more pleasant. I'll be leaving Salt Lake later this month for St. Louis. And I'd like to stay in Denver. I'm twenty five and a gentleman at large. What's to see, what bars are good, any information would be immensely helpful. Most importantly which highway is easier of a drive and which ones offer the best views?

[Mike from back east]

By far the easier drive is I-80 from Salt Lake to Omaha, then south on I-29 to Kansas City, then I-70 to St Louis.

[80skeys]

For scenery, I would suggest Salt Lake to Provo, then cut east through the mountains and make your way to 40 or 191 east. keep on that until you reach Vernal, then Dinosaur, Colorado. From there you can either go south to Grand Junction and catch I-70 to Denver (very scenic) or 40 through Steamboat Springs, Granby and Winter Park (also very scenic.)


I would not recommend the Provo-Price-Green River route on 191 south, because that's quite boring and barren.

[Carnahan]

Thank you all so much, I want to get all I can out of Denver and I'm very excited about this trip, time to update my map.

[5280milehiguy]

Try to get a GPS for your trip, they are very useful, some good ones can be had for $175 or so.

I suggest SLC>South on I-15 to Route 6>East to Price>East to I70>stop at Arches Park near Moab>I70 through Glenwood Springs>stop in Vail>Denver. It will take more time, but I80 between SLC and Cheyenne is horribly boring.

In Denver, hit some lodo bars, Blues on Blake, Lodo's Bar and Grill and the Tavern. Also, try to get down to some places along E. Colfax. There's a neat Irish pub in the area along Colfax, the name escapes me right now. Also, on South Broadway and about Ellsworth, some cool places to hang out in the Baker neighborhood.

Have a fun trip.

[islander10]

I'm with 5280milehiguy. I've done that route many times, and it's gorgeous. Wait till you see Vail this time of year. I've also done the I-80 route and it wasn't half as beautiful. Safe travels!

[5280milehiguy]

Yes, this is the best route, just look at the weather ahead of time. I am not sure when your trip will be, just assume its late September, but look out, there is a storm on the way, perhaps could bring snow to the high country. Be prepared and be cautious.