Best driving roads near Denver

Denver drivers can leave the plains and be carving alpine switchbacks above the treeline within an hour, with some of the highest paved roads in North America on the doorstep.

1. Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway (formerly Mount Evans)

The Mount Blue Sky road winding across snow-patched alpine tundra high above treeline in Colorado
Photo: Alan Stark from Goodyear, AZ, United States, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The highest paved road in North America, topping out at 14,130 feet with steep climbs, hairpins, and Front Range views. The summit road needs a timed reservation and is open Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Length
49 mi (summit road about 15 mi)
Drive time
about 1 h 20 min
High point
14,130 ft

Best time to go: Summit road open Memorial Day through Labor Day only, with a timed vehicle reservation required.

Map of Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway from Idaho Springs (SH 103) to Mount Blue Sky summit parking (end of SH 5)
Route: Idaho Springs (SH 103) to Mount Blue Sky summit parking (end of SH 5), about 28.8 mi. Map © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap Improve this map

Sources: Length · High point · Best time. Drive time is the route time for the mapped route without stops, from Mapbox.

2. Trail Ridge Road (US-34)

Trail Ridge Road curving through the forested slopes of Rocky Mountain National Park
Photo: DXR, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

A 48-mile alpine traverse through Rocky Mountain National Park climbing to 12,183 feet past wildflower meadows and continental-divide vistas (summer only).

Length
48 mi
Drive time
about 1 h 45 min
High point
12,183 ft

Best time to go: Summer to early fall; the high section closes for snow from about October to May.

Map of Trail Ridge Road (US-34) from Estes Park to Grand Lake
Route: Estes Park to Grand Lake, about 48.6 mi. Map © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap Improve this map

Sources: Length · High point · Best time. Drive time is the route time for the mapped route without stops, from Mapbox.

More on Trail Ridge Road

3. Lookout Mountain Road

Historic photo of the Lariat Trail road making a double hairpin turn on Lookout Mountain above Golden
Photo: Ewing Galloway, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

A short, tight set of switchbacks climbing from Golden to a 7,377-foot summit with panoramic views back over Denver and the foothills.

Length
4.3 mi
Drive time
about 25 min
High point
7,377 ft

Best time to go: Open year-round; part of Lookout Mountain Road has a night closure.

Map of Lookout Mountain Road (Golden) from Golden (19th St and Lookout Mountain Rd) to Lookout Mountain Park near the summit
Route: Golden (19th St and Lookout Mountain Rd) to Lookout Mountain Park near the summit, about 6.4 mi. Map © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap Improve this map

Sources: Length · High point · Best time. Drive time is the route time for the mapped route without stops, from Mapbox.

4. Lariat Loop

Colorado Highway 74 winding through Bear Creek Canyon on the Lariat Loop west of Morrison
Photo: Jeffrey Beall, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

A scenic byway in the foothills just west of Denver, a 40-mile loop through Golden, Evergreen, and Morrison stitching together classic foothills canyon driving.

Length
40-mile loop
Drive time
about 1 h 20 min

Best time to go: Accessible year-round; night closure on part of Lookout Mountain Road.

Map of the Lariat Loop loop from Golden
Loop from Golden, about 37.4 mi. Map © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap Improve this map

Sources: Length · Best time. Drive time is the route time for the mapped route without stops, from Mapbox.

5. Guanella Pass Scenic Byway

A high-country byway over an 11,669-foot pass linking Georgetown and Grant, blending tight climbs with alpine lakes and peak views.

Length
22 mi
Drive time
about 1 h
High point
11,669 ft

Best time to go: Late May to late November; seasonally closed from about Nov 26 to Memorial Day weekend. Aspen color usually Sept 10 to Oct 10.

Map of Guanella Pass Scenic Byway from Georgetown to Grant (US 285)
Route: Georgetown to Grant (US 285), about 22.5 mi. Map © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap Improve this map

Sources: Length · High point · Best time. Drive time is the route time for the mapped route without stops, from Mapbox.

Track your next drive near Denver

Open Road keeps every drive: the route on a map, the time and the distance. On iPhone and Android.

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Questions, answered

What are the best driving roads near Denver?
Top picks near Denver: Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway, Trail Ridge Road, Lookout Mountain Road, Lariat Loop, Guanella Pass Scenic Byway. Each one is here for the drive and the scenery.
How long are the best driving roads near Denver?
Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway: 49 mi (summit road about 15 mi). Trail Ridge Road: 48 mi. Lookout Mountain Road: 4.3 mi. Lariat Loop: 40-mile loop. Guanella Pass Scenic Byway: 22 mi.
Which driving road near Denver climbs the highest?
Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway, with a high point of 14,130 ft.
When is the best time to drive these roads?
Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway: Summit road open Memorial Day through Labor Day only, with a timed vehicle reservation required. Trail Ridge Road: Summer to early fall; the high section closes for snow from about October to May. Lookout Mountain Road: Open year-round; part of Lookout Mountain Road has a night closure. Lariat Loop: Accessible year-round; night closure on part of Lookout Mountain Road. Guanella Pass Scenic Byway: Late May to late November; seasonally closed from about Nov 26 to Memorial Day weekend. Aspen color usually Sept 10 to Oct 10.
What's the best app to track a drive near Denver?
Open Road records your drive and saves it to your drive log with the route on a map, the distance and the time. It is on iPhone and Android.

Famous driving roads