A Colorado road trip with Grand Junction
I-70 links Denver with Grand Junction, and from there you can turn toward Utah, the Black Canyon or Ouray. The Denver to Grand Junction drive is around 4 hours without traffic.
This page shows how to build a route around Grand Junction. For a day trip with fixed distances, see our day trips from Grand Junction.
Route ideas around Grand Junction
Distances and times as guides, without stops.
Denver to Grand Junction
The main route is I-70 west, around 4 hours. Plan for mountain weather in winter, and check COtrip before you drive.
Grand Junction to Moab and Arches
Moab in Utah is about 115 miles and 1 hour 45 minutes from Grand Junction. Arches needs no timed entry reservation in 2026, and entry is $30 per car.
Grand Junction to Black Canyon
The South Rim is about 75 miles southeast on US-50 and CO-347. Entry is $30 per car in 2026.
Grand Junction to Ouray
Ouray lies about 98 miles away, around 2 hours on US-50 and US-550, without stops or winter delays.
Around Grand Junction
Rim Rock Drive is 23 miles long and has 3 tunnels with a posted height limit of 16 feet (4.88 m). The Grand Mesa Scenic Byway is 63 miles and takes about 2 hours.
Our picks: tours for a Colorado road trip
Mesa Verde fits a loop to the southwest, Arches and Canyonlands a stop in Moab. Check the park fees on the Moab full day, they are extra.
Hand-picked tours, booked through Viator and GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Canyonlands and Arches full-day 4x4 tour
- Canyonlands and Arches
- Air-conditioned 4x4 and guide
- Lunch and cold drinks
A nine-hour guided day in an air-conditioned 4x4 that covers both parks, with lunch and cold drinks. National park fees are extra, and the tour starts in Moab, about two hours from Grand Junction.
Check availability →
Arches National Park sightseeing tour from Moab
- Arches entry included
- Panoramic van, local guide
- Snacks and drinks
A four-hour guided tour by panoramic van through Arches, with the park entry, snacks, drinks and photo stops covered. It starts in Moab, roughly a two-hour drive from Grand Junction, so you get there yourself.
Check availability →
Mesa Verde National Park half-day tour
- Knowledgeable guide
- Shuttle in the park
- Fees and taxes
A four-hour guided visit with shuttle to and around the park, fees and taxes covered. It starts in Mancos, a long drive from Grand Junction, so it fits a road trip rather than a day from town.
Check availability →Tours and scenic drives from Grand Junction
Guided day trips and scenic tours that save you the driving, with live prices and availability.
Winter driving and roadwork
From 1 September to 31 May, traction and chain laws can apply on I-70 between Morrison and Dotsero. In very bad weather the road can close. Four-wheel drive alone does not guarantee that your tire setup is legal, so check the signs, COtrip and your rental contract.
Roadwork on I-70 can narrow single lanes. It does not mean the road is closed, but add buffer time to your drive and check COtrip.
Rim Rock Drive is open around the clock, but weather or events can close it. Steep drops and no shoulder make it a road to take slowly.
Flights, train and rental cars
Ways to start or end a loop.
By air
Grand Junction Regional Airport (GJT) has nonstop flights to Denver with United, Salt Lake City with Delta, Dallas/Fort Worth and Phoenix with American, and Las Vegas and Orange County with Breeze. Not every route runs every day or all year. A one-way trip can work well: drive west from Denver and fly out of GJT.
By train
The Amtrak California Zephyr connects Denver Union Station and Grand Junction. Train 5 leaves Grand Junction westbound at 4:43 p.m., and train 6 eastbound at 9:53 a.m. From Denver, the westbound train leaves at 8:46 a.m., a scheduled 7 hours 57 minutes to the Grand Junction departure. Check the timetable for your date.
Rental cars
One airport renter sets a minimum age of 21 and adds $25 per day for drivers aged 21 to 24. That is one example, not a rule for every company. Ask about winter tires and one-way fees before you book.
Read more on getting to Grand Junction.
Plan the rest of your trip
Stops along the way.
Colorado road trip: frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Denver to Grand Junction?
Around 4 hours on I-70 without traffic. Roadwork and weather can add time.
Do I need chains on I-70?
From 1 September to 31 May, traction and chain laws can apply, and the road can close in very bad weather. Check signs and conditions before you drive.
Can I take the train instead of driving?
Yes. The California Zephyr runs daily between Denver Union Station and Grand Junction. The westbound timetable shows about 8 hours to the Grand Junction departure.
Is Grand Junction airport the same as the train station?
No. Both use the code GJT, but they are separate places. The Amtrak station is at 339 South 1st Street, and the airport is about 5 miles from downtown.