The views will astound over Independence Pass. It is a trip fit for royalty as different people in all these states will get you equipped with the proper knowledge. . For more adrenaline, some mud and crawling, take the Lantern Tour or Cave 101. . San Juan Skyway. Get step-by-step walking or driving directions to your destination. Reset. The most famous scenic drive of Oklahoma, the 54- mile Talimena Scenic Byway from Talihina, Oklahoma to Mena, Arkansas, offers the easiest access and the best view of the 352,000-acre Ouachita National Forest through which it passes. The Bean in Chicago. The final choice is taking US6 from Spanish Fork (south of Provo) to Price to Green River and I-70 into Denver. DURATION 15 nights states. Back. Considering the vast distances, we recommend at least 4 days to a week for this vacation. The town is surrounded by vast state and national recreation areas, including two state parks. It's a great, scenic route that gives you a nice ride through Oklahoma country. Wichita Mountains Scenic Byway travels through southwest Oklahoma's historic towns of Medicine Park, Meers, Mountain View, and Apache, and onto the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. Scenic drives to consider in Oklahoma are listed below. Road Trips that Take More than Eight Hours. 6 hours. Distance from Denver: 1 hour Colorado's oldest scenic byway, this route from Black Hawk north to Estes Park was established in 1918. It adds about an hour onto your drive on average - going from 1.5 hours to 2.5 hours. Length Under 30 miles 30 to 75 miles Over 75 miles. "The Mother Road" was established on November 11, 1926, and ultimately stretched 2,448 miles from Chicago to Los Angeles. 2. That means Colorado holds more nationally recognized byways than any other state. There are 3 tours to choose from ranging from 45 minutes to 2 hours. The views will astound over Independence Pass. In Oklahoma City pick up I-40. Destination Lake Eufaula Lawton Ouachita Mountains. But the highlight has to be the fossilized dinosaur tracks of a T. rex. Day 1: Seattle, WA, to Bozeman, MT (10.5 hours): Interstate 90 starts right in downtown Seattle, and a few miles south lies Geraldine's Counter, famous for its French toast. 5 hours 15 minutes. Collegiate Peaks Scenic Byway. Everyone has to travel at least one section of Historic Route 66 in their lives. Scenic drives to consider in Oklahoma are listed below. The 105′ Treasure Falls is a beautiful quick stop when taking the most scenic Colorado road trip. 9. There are pretty routes to take in a number of directions, including an auto tour along Mesa Verde NP. Taking a cross-country road trip along the Pacific Coast is one of the most scenic drives you'll ever take. This series of Oklahoma highways is scenic and begins the entrance into the beautiful Ouachita National Forest.Motorcycle Road Quality:4Highway 259 is full of fast sweepers and begins the climb into…. This is about one to two hours longer than going through Wyoming. U.S. National Archives/Picryl. From Nebraska to Utah, Route 6 gives you a taste of all of the wonders of the Centennial State. Scenic drives near Durango. Here's the last route I took. nestinggypsy. 5 . Length Under 30 miles 30 to 75 miles Over 75 miles. Here are the most scenic routes for driving to Aspen. The Pacific Coast: US-101 Route to California State Route 1. Who Should Take This Route: Beach bums who like sunny weather, salty air, and breathtaking ocean sunsets. VISITED Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah. The 55 miles of roadway winds through classic Rocky Mountain . Driving along the 48-mile Trail Ridge Road is one of the best ways to experience Rocky Mountain National Park — and see the Continental Divide as it cuts through Colorado. This might be the most famous drive in Colorado, mostly because it's only open for four to five months of the year. Highway 12 was designated a National Forest Byway in 1988 and a Colorado State Byway in 1989. A cluster of silos at the Grainland Co-Op marks the spot as you pass from Nebraska into Colorado. On our last go-through, we decided to visit the twin national monuments on the North Platte River Valley in Nebraska. - I25 S to Las Vegas, CO and catch US84 to I40E/US84 . Located in southwestern Colorado, the loop connects Durango, Silverton, Ouray, Telluride, and Cortez. For more adrenaline, some mud and crawling, take the Lantern Tour or Cave 101. Amarillo, Texas. Click on any scenic byway or backway listed below for complete information. Add New Route. Called Highway 101 in Washington and Oregon, and Pacific Coast . Nearly all folks driving between Colorado Springs and Denver take I-25. Show only these on map. stay overnight and leave the next day around 9:00 am. 1. eat at The Cliff House at Pikes Peak. Drive Time: 2 hours & 15 minutes. On the way to and from these two, we found eight less-known but very interesting roadside . While it may seem like a tedious journey, there's a lot to admire on this road. drive for about 1.5 hours. Begin in the Northeastern corner of Colorado, as Route 6 follows the South Platte River. Scenic Byway: A scenic route or tourist route; a specially designed road or waterway that travels through an area of natural or cultural beauty. Driving Directions to Colorado Springs, CO & Road Conditions - MapQuest. Distance: 236 miles. The Stairway to Heaven. Keyword. The so-called "Mother Road" dates back to 1926 . Show only these on map. Twin Lakes-Aspen; 27 miles/44km. Sterling, Colorado. This year consider taking HWY 130 from Laramie to Walcott (Medicine Bow Scenic Byway) on route to GTNP/YNP. The top stops along the way from Oklahoma City to Colorado Springs (with short detours) are Cadillac Ranch, Royal Gorge Bridge & Park, and Palo Duro Canyon State Park. Byways, Backways, Historic Routes,. Oklahoma boasts the nation's longest driveable stretch of Route 66 . Talimena Scenic Drive. Along this gorgeous road near Salida, you'll drive through an avenue of the scenic Collegiate Peaks, including 14ers like Mount Harvard, Mount Princeton, and Mount Yale. Southern Colorado Known as a heritage town with grand nineteenth-century architecture and brick streets that date to the early 1900s, Trinidad is set in a green valley halfway between Denver and Santa Fe. Length: 29.2 miles. Other popular stops include Tiger Safari Zoo, Historic Arkansas Riverwalk, and Skyline Drive. As you continue on, you . It is a trip fit for royalty as different people in all these states will get you equipped with the proper knowledge. However, if you want to get out and enjoy the viewpoints along the way you can spend far more time . Pawnee Pioneer Trails Scenic Byway Traveling the same paths as Colorado's early Native Americans and settlers, this 125-mile route runs through northeast Colorado's rolling prairies. And that screams road trip potential . Tracks Across Borders, Colorado's newest scenic byway, offers access to dramatic mountain scenery and layers of history, from the storied pasts of our earliest Native American inhabitants to the golden age of railroad travel and rise of Wild West towns bustling with gold-seekers. Chicago to St. Louis road trip. About: This route that starts north of Skiatook Lake near the Osage Reservation, and ends just east in the town of Skiatook, Oklahoma. I 80 is quicker but most of it is flat land, after five minutes, you have seen everything there is to see, RT66 is far more scenic, but many more stop lights and stop signs., I 70 has a little more to offer than I 80 but is just about as boring. Oklahoma Gloss Mountain Scenic Drive: Roadside amenities are very limited. The 525-mile road trip from Denver to Salt Lake City will take about 8 hours of driving along the scenic I-70 route passing snow-capped mountains, lush forests and arid deserts. 4 out of 5 Rider Rating 4. Length Under 30 miles 30 to 75 miles Over 75 miles. Along the way you'll roll alongside some . Show only these on map. 285), and is much more spectacular, crossing high mountain passes and the headwaters of major river systems. 1. The Scenic Route from Denver to Crestone. 7. The route goes between Talihina, Oklahoma, and Mena, Arkansas. 6. Jonathan C. Wheeler/Flickr. nearby communities. However, beware of winter storms and weekend traffic on I70! 3. DAY 4. Colorado Springs is one of the largest municipal states in the country. The Mount Evans Scenic Byway starts approximately 60 miles west of Denver in Idaho Springs before spiraling up to the 14,264-foot-tall summit of Mount Evans. Just south of Grand Junction we hopped onto the Unaweep Tabeguache Scenic Byway, aka Colorado Highway 141. Colorado has 26 designated scenic byways, 11 of which are America's Byways. The southwest Colorado route travels along historic narrow . Three hundred and twenty-nine miles to Colorado Springs is what all travellers want to hear. Proceed through Tulsa to Oklahoma City, either of which offer a great stopover. Shares. Flickr/Kent Kanouse. Note: All of these roads are paved so there is no need for a 4WD vehicle. Prior to visiting a byway, we recommend the following: There is not an unscenic route from Denver to Keystone. How to get here: 2. RoadTrip Map Oklahoma City to Colorado Springs Click on the icons for more information. and leave at 4:10 pm. scenic drive Result s. Results Per Page 10 20 30 50 100. This would be the ultimate scenic route but would make it about a 9-10 hour day of driving. Nestled in the southwest, it lies at the crossroads of Highway 160 and Highway 550, both part of the San Juan Skyway. Avoid traffic with optimized routes. There are 3 tours to choose from ranging from 45 minutes to 2 hours. Austin to Denver road trip is also a little under 14 hours while the Austin to Colorado trip distance is about 950 miles. Driving from Chicago, Illinois to St. Louis, Missouri should be on any midwest road trip. This awe-inspiring 512-mile byway cruises through eastern Utah and western Colorado. Why you should go: Eye-popping views on jaw-dropping roads. Along this part of the Top of the Rockies Scenic Byway, the views are cinematic and spectacular. 5:30 pm arrive in Colorado Springs. Prior to visiting a byway, we recommend the following: 1. This isn't the main route you'd take to get to Telluride if you're in a hurry, but it's certainly the more beautiful one. Plan your next road trip route with Roadtrippers. Also known as Route 550, this route stretches from Silverton to Durango with epic views of the San Juan Mountains in the distance. Cadillac Ranch on Route 66. This scenic highway may seem like it's going nowhere, but it rewards travelers with spectacular views of the region's mesas and canyons as well as traffic so light it might as well be non-existent. Colorado Springs is one of the largest municipal states in the country. drive for about 1 hour. The Grand Mesa Scenic Byway takes you up on top of the 11,000-foot mesa for god-eye views of the surrounding countryside. In between are fifty-four miles of mountain vistas and valleys, complete with stunning views. Built between 1929 and 1939, this historic trail cresting at 12,209 feet is the highest continuous paved road in elevation in the country. The Rim Rock Drive in Colorado National Monument winds through beautiful sandstone canyons and scenic overlooks. The original Santa Fe Trail carried pioneers and traders hundreds of miles over the prairie to points west during the 1800s. Trinidad is the gateway to the Scenic Highway of Legends, where travelers find lakes and . Colorado's Scenic and Historic Byways has been around since 1989. From deep canyons to monolithic formations, everything is guaranteed to give adventurers a lifetime experience. The route starts in Idaho Springs and climbs to Mount Evans' summit at 14,258 feet, offering stunning views, wildlife watching and hiking trails along the way. In February 2021, The Highway of Legends Scenic Byway was added to the National Scenic Byway System, which recognized the byway for its outstanding scenic and historic attributes. 1. Route 66. Consider that you can see the highest points in the Rocky Mountains on epic Colorado scenic byways like Trail Ridge Road through Rocky Mountain National Park, on Top of the Rockies past Mt. If you're going to be driving back to Denver, then go with WhyFi's recommendation one way, and take I-70 the other way. There are 13 of Colorado's 26 byways designated by the U.S. Secretary of Transportation as America's Byways®, which gives Colorado more national designations than any other state. Explore Oklahoma's scenic byways, back roads and highways to enjoy majestic views of endless prairies, winding roads among ancient mountains, fall foliage in forested hills and sparkling waters. The . Read Road Guide. Massive (the two tallest peaks in the state) and on the San Juan Skyway, which climbs through the dazzling and jagged San Juan Mountains before descending south to the cliff dwellings of Mesa . day 1 driving ≈ 5.5 hours. Here are three of the most scenic Amtrak routes in Colorado that you just can't miss. Here are eight of my favorites. Adrian, Texas on Route 66. Returning planning to take Chief Joseph Hiway then taking smaller highways from Casper to Laramie (487/287/30). You can see these scenic drives on a map at the end of this . The ribbon of road between the historic community of Twin Lakes and the swank town of Aspen forms the backbone of one of Colorado's most epic drives. Scenic/Alternative Routes Driving From/To Colorado. The distance from Fort Worth tx to Denver co is 11 hrs 30 mins and 768 miles. The trip is about 795 miles long. The Scenic Highway of Legends starts at the cities of Trinidad . The ribbon of road between the historic community of Twin Lakes and the swank town of Aspen forms the backbone of one of Colorado's most epic drives. Grab a coffee . Established in 1926, the legendary road stretched 2,448 miles from Chicago, Ill., to Santa Monica, Calif. Many of America's most breathtaking stretches of the Rocky Mountains are found within this abundantly blessed state. Distance: 108 miles. 44 friends. From its beginning in Chicago, Route 66 headed south through Illinois and Missouri, and a small section of southeast Kansas. Add Stop. The trail is still in use today, but as the Santa Fe Trail scenic and historic byway, taking travelers through a history-laden slice of Colorado. drive for about 3 hours. 9:00 am leave from Russell. Lawton Scenic Drives. 7y. Recommended trip: 4-6 days. For many motorcycle riders, exploring Colorado (CO) motorcycle roads is the ultimate motorcycle touring dream and perhaps the top most coveted motorcyclist destination in America. 10 In Oklahoma of 40 Routes 25 Miles 0 Followers. Click on any scenic byway or backway listed below for complete information. Colin E Braley/Wildwest Media. Keyword. The top stops along the way from Oklahoma City to Colorado Springs (with short detours) are Cadillac Ranch, Royal Gorge Bridge & Park, and Palo Duro Canyon State Park. California Zephyr. The Mountain Pass Scenic Byway winds for 23 miles on U.S. Highway 259 between Page and Octavia, and Mountain Gateway Scenic Byway spans 22 miles from Heavener to the Arkansas line. April 29, 2010: Scenic Drive Escape on Route 141: This route shines with great scenery & road conditions & solitude ... April 29, 2010: The "Going-To-The-Sun" Road: On this trip you'll want to make sure to bring plenty of. If you want to drive right through, the route will take a little over an hour one-way. Plunge deep into Americana on the New Mexico and Arizona stretch of the Mother Road. Drive time without stops: Approx. So I'd definitely go via Amarillo. drive for about 43 minutes. Read on to find the best places to stop, amazing sights to see along the way and tips on the best . Unlimited stops, edit, share, find recommended places of interest and campgrounds, manage budgets, print or export directions and more. The route between Pittsburg, Kansas, and Westminster, Colorado, takes us through four states: Kansas, Nebraska, Wyoming, and Colorado. I-70 is an interstate highway, usually the least scenic method of travel, and it is gorgeous. 167 reviews. The most basic tour - Discovery Tour - is family friendly, lasts about one hour and take you through 15 cave chambers. Other popular stops include Tiger Safari Zoo, Historic Arkansas Riverwalk, and Skyline Drive. DAY 4. Colorado's Scenic and Historic Byways has been around since 1989. From there it turned in a more westward direction through Oklahoma and Texas, with the final stretches in New Mexico and Arizona before its . You can take a leisurely side trip by following this route through Joplin into Galena, Kansas, and then down into Oklahoma where you rejoin the main route on I-44 (which is also the Oklahoma Turnpike). Destination Lake Eufaula Lawton Ouachita Mountains. We try to change up our driving to/from to explore new areas. It has great desert scenery and the mountains of Colorado. Wichita Falls. Twin Lakes-Aspen; 27 miles/44km. Time to Allow 1 hour or less 1 - 3 hours Over 3 hours. About the Byways. Trail Ridge Road. Click on any scenic byway or backway listed below for complete information. Time to Allow 1 hour or less 1 - 3 hours Over 3 hours. Loop back to the interstate by following the Colorado River, and . The drive to Great Sand Dunes National Park from Pagosa Springs climbs over the Rocky Mountains via Wolf Creek Pass on Highway 160. Adventure-seekers take note: leaving Tucumcari, bypass I-40 and head north on NM 104, otherwise known as New Mexico's loneliest road. Rick S / Shutterstock. and leave at 4:47 pm. The Million Dollar Highway is one of the most famous scenic roads in Colorado.