Best time to drive "through" Denver on a weekday? (Colorado Springs: rental car, rental)

[jonwb]

Hi,

My wife and I are visiting the Eastern slope next month. We're starting out in the Fort Collins/Estes Park area on a Sunday, and then plan to drive down through Denver to Colorado Springs two days later.

Given the workday traffic congestion, I'm wondering when the best time of day to drive through Denver is, and if the i25 is still the best route?

Thanks

[SkyDog77]

10-1 is pretty clear.

We don’t use articles in front of our highways.

[reed303]

Time wise, Noon-ish or Midnight

Route wise, I-25 is only direct route.

You could take the E-470 Toll Rd around Denver, but it is a "cashless" Toll, and if driving a rental car, billing for the tolls can be a nightmare. Toll can be as high as $22 end to end, and adds 13 miles to trip https://www.e-470.com/

[COcheesehead]

You can hit traffic at almost any time. I drive through the city every week and you'll hit traffic back ups in downtown at what people call the mouse trap, where I-70 and I-25 cross. You can almost count on it. Avoid before 10am and after 3pm for sure. If there is a Rockies game, that only adds to the mess.
If you want the scenic route, you can take 93 south out of Boulder until it connects with C470 in Golden and take that around the west/south part of town back to I-25. You'll be closer to mountains for much of the drive. Its a little less hectic, though there is road construction on part of it in Douglas County. You'll get a chance to see Boulder, Golden, Red Rocks Park, Morrison.

[jonwb]

Very good... thanks for the information!

Originally Posted by COcheesehead

If you want the scenic route, you can take 93 south out of Boulder until it connects with C470 in Golden and take that around the west/south part of town back to I-25. You'll be closer to mountains for much of the drive. Its a little less hectic, though there is road construction on part of it in Douglas County. You'll get a chance to see Boulder, Golden, Red Rocks Park, Morrison.

What a great idea! I just looked up that route. We have about four hours to kill between hotels so we'll definitely plan around that. Thanks a lot!

[Vision67]

At 4 AM, no problem!

[COcheesehead]

Originally Posted by jonwb

Very good... thanks for the information!



What a great idea! I just looked up that route. We have about four hours to kill between hotels so we'll definitely plan around that. Thanks a lot!

Make a quick stop at Red Rocks off the Morrison exit on C470. Its a Denver Park and its free. There is a little museum in the lower level by the main gate. One of a kind place in world. Worth a little bit of your time.

[SkyDog77]

Originally Posted by COcheesehead

Make a quick stop at Red Rocks off the Morrison exit on C470. Its a Denver Park and its free. There is a little museum in the lower level by the main gate. One of kind place in world. Worth a little bit of your time.

100% agree.

[jonwb]

Originally Posted by COcheesehead

Make a quick stop at Red Rocks off the Morrison exit on C470. Its a Denver Park and its free. There is a little museum in the lower level by the main gate. One of a kind place in world. Worth a little bit of your time.

Done

[beezle1]

If you do go down the C470, if you want to avoid the interstate you could then take the 85 south to Sedalia, then the 105 south through Perry Park, and on through Palmer Lake and Monument, then pick up the I-25 in Monument.