Recommended route from Boulder to Denver Intl. Airport (Littleton, Commerce City: rental car, rental)

[Truglesmith]

I will be ending a trip in Colorado in Boulder, and wanted to find out what would be the best way to get back to Denver International Airport. I would be leaving Boulder on a week day (Tuesday) morning, probably around 9:00 AM. Since there are no direct routes, I suppose these are the choices:

1) Hwy 36, to Hwy 470 / NW Parkway (toll road?), to Pena Blvd.

2) Hwy 36, to I-76, to 470, to Pena Blvd.

3) Hwy 36, I-276, Pena Blvd.

I'm curious of the best route, and how much time it would take. I'd like the quickest route, and hopefully less congested route, even if there is a charge. The NW Parkway sounds like a toll road. If so, how much would it cost, and does it have to be exact change?

Thank you!

[Neditate]

We always drive #1 because it's faster and there's no traffic. You actually are on two toll roads, NW Parkway and E470. It will cost you... sorry, I don't know how much because we get a discount for having a transponder. You don't need change -- there are no longer any toll booths. They take a photo of your license plate and send you a bill. (However, there have been many complaints on the forums about that system.) You can figure it out here: Northwest Parkway Home Page and here Toll Calculator

The other 2 options are fine, but there's a lot more traffic and seem to take longer. Before the NW Parkway opened we used to drive to 104th street and across to Tower Road. There are a lot of traffic lights but if you hit them just right it's not too bad of a drive.

[gooberlx]

#1 is probably fastest and least congested. The only other option I'd consider is 36-->270-->70-->Pena.

Taking 36 to 76 up to 470 makes no sense to me when option #1 exists. It's just longer and slower and not at all worth the small savings in tolls. At 9am on a weekday, the whole route from 36 to DIA can suck with morning traffic, especially if there are accidents. Best to avoid as much of it as possible.

[Truglesmith]

The toll roads option may be a big problem if there are no toll booths, and they use the vehicle license plate number instead. I will be driving an airport rental car, so the license plates won't be in my name.

I suppose the toll road frontage roads (if they exist) might not make sense. They may be too slow, have too many traffic lights / intersections, and/or are non-continuous (say at railroad crossings)?

Unless I can figure that out, I may have to use only non-toll roads. One option looks to be:
Baseline Road / 7, I-25, I-270, I-70, Pena

I'm guessing that would suck, but maybe all I have left. It looks like Denver freeways and highways aren't laid out as user-friendly as in Houston. Even the toll roads there have toll booths, so it's easy for anyone to use them.

[Neditate]

Originally Posted by Truglesmith

Unless I can figure that out, I may have to use only non-toll roads. One option looks to be:
Baseline Road / 7, I-25, I-270, I-70, Pena

I have driven that route too, it's not bad. I gave you what I thought was a good non-toll road option: US 36 to 104th to Tower Road. That seemed the quickest to me.

Here's the deal with rental cars: E-470 Public Highway Authority > Rental Car Information
Major rental companies have registered their fleets’ license plates with EXpressToll so their renters’ tolls will be applied to the rental agreement. Rental car customers may use Colorado toll facilities with no worries about needing cash to pay a toll. E-470, the Northwest Parkway, and the I-25 express lanes in Colorado only collect the toll(s) incurred on their facility. All other fees are charged and retained by the rental agency—not the toll facility.

[Truglesmith]

Thanks so much for all the help. It's greatly appreciated.

[Garfunkle524]

Make sure you pay close attention when you're making the trip. I lived in Boulder for four years (Littleton for many more) and every time I did the trip from Boulder to DIA I managed to miss an exit. The signs don't help all that much . . .

[Idlewile]

#1 easy, peasy. And we've driven in rental cars a number of times and never heard about it and we were never charged.

[Neditate]

You are welcome. Just a warning about 270- you have to go through Commerce City and it stinks! Seriously - makes me gag when I forget to put on the air recirculation.

[Katarina Witt]

From Louisville (applicable to Boulder as well)

US 36 to 270 to 70 to Pena Blvd.

The only time I take the tollway is at rush hour, or if I haven't allowed myself enough time.