West - Drive from Denver to Salt Lake?

Will be at a meeting in Denver, then heading off to meet some friends in SLC. Looks to be about an 8 hour drive. Is it at all scenic? I am from the East, and have only been to DEN and SLC once before...so even slightly scenic could be worth it to me.

TIA for any advice/recommendations...

The fastest way is to go north on I25 th Cheyenne, then west on I80 to Salt Lake City. That puts you driving across most of Wyoming. I've done the drive, and it's beautiful in a stark, desolate sort of way. It's definitely worth the drive if you've never done it before. Be sure to keep your gas tank full, it's a long way between towns.

You can also take I-70 west out of Denver through the mountains. This way is a gorgeous drive but will take a little longer.

You can also take I-70 west out of Denver through the mountains. This way is a gorgeous drive but will take a little longer.

actually, this could work well..I also wanted to meet some friends in Glenwood Springs (?) ..so could reverse it...do SLC - to Glenwood - to Denver for the meeting. (which I am now hearing is in Colorado Springs, so back to the maps)

Any and all info/recommendations greatly appreciated.

TIA

actually, this could work well..I also wanted to meet some friends in Glenwood Springs (?) ..so could reverse it...do SLC - to Glenwood - to Denver for the meeting. (which I am now hearing is in Colorado Springs, so back to the maps)

Any and all info/recommendations greatly appreciated.

TIA

That would work perfect and would be a beautiful drive. Colorado Springs is about an hour and a half south of Denver.

I haven't driven the portion in Utah, but you could also take I-70 to US40 through Steamboat, which should be a fairly nice drive (adds maybe an hour to the I70 time, I'd guess), on the Colorado side. Though it would certainly preclude meeting anyone in Glenwood.

I-70 W out of Denver is definitely the most scenic way. You will drive through the Rockies, pass Vail and other gorgeous mountain towns. You'll pass through Glenwood Canyon which is absolutely amazing. Then on to Grand Junction which is beautiful high desert with a giant Mesa.

Once you cross into Utah, you'll be near Arches National Park and drive across a very stark and beautiful portion of Utah. You won't stay on interstates all of the way to SLC, that way is terribly long. There is a state highway that goes from 70 and comes out just south of SLC. The drive is beautiful at times but avoid getting on a tight schedule as there are some two lane sections and I got caught behind some very slow semis here and there last time I made the drive.

If you've never driven through the Rockies, it's totally worth it. I-80 is, as was said, very interesting in a desolate way and also worth seeing, but I'd recommend going over I-70 if this your 1st drive out west.

Also, if you're coming to Colorado Springs, just pick up I-470 when you come out of the mountains and into Denver from the west. It'll take you to I-25 at the south end of Denver and you'll miss lots of traffic.

If it were summer and you had the time, it would be worth coming over some other passes in the mountains to get down here, but this is not the time of year for that yet.

I-70 W out of Denver is definitely the most scenic way. You will drive through the Rockies, pass Vail and other gorgeous mountain towns. You'll pass through Glenwood Canyon which is absolutely amazing. Then on to Grand Junction which is beautiful high desert with a giant Mesa.

Once you cross into Utah, you'll be near Arches National Park and drive across a very stark and beautiful portion of Utah. You won't stay on interstates all of the way to SLC, that way is terribly long. There is a state highway that goes from 70 and comes out just south of SLC. The drive is beautiful at times but avoid getting on a tight schedule as there are some two lane sections and I got caught behind some very slow semis here and there last time I made the drive.

This way sounds great - but in reverse. I would need to do SLC, then Glenwood Springs, Mr Sophie flies out of (Den?), I then head off to meeting in Colorado Springs.

So for the above drive- let's say I needed to be in Glenwood Springs late Friday night leaving from SLC. To enjoy the above trip, how long would it take? We are early risers...so can put in fairly long days. I realize one could probably stop every 50 miles and/or spend a day hiking...but am looking for an estimate of drive time with average stops..but I suppose we would want to drive through Arches National Park?

Thanks to everyone for the input and patience in answering questions. I can of course see all of this on a map....but viewing a map and doing the drive are 2 completely different animals!

Beware that the weather in Denver [72 degrees] can be very different from that in the mountains [winter weather watch west of the Continental Divide tonight]. Down in Denver we have only about 18.6 inches of snow this winter season while the mountains have been slammed with heavy snow. It is great for skiing.

As the previous posters have said, the drive is beautiful. Yet every year people get stuck without blankets, water and enough gasoline waiting on I-70 for the roads to be plowed ahead of them.

Make sure you watch the local weather for the mountains and be prepared for snow and wind. Make sure you have sunglasses. The sun reflects very brightly off the snow.

Safe travels.

I apologize everyone. I was not clear....I will be making this trip the first or second week of May. Will weather still be as much of a concern?

I apologize everyone. I was not clear....I will be making this trip the first or second week of May. Will weather still be as much of a concern?

Certainly possible, but unlikely.

Final dates will the 15th of May starting out of Glenwood Springs and heading towards SLC. Which has the added advantage of not being tied to a certain day/time that I must arrive in SLC, and is AFTER the meeting in Colorado Springs.

Thank you everyone for your help. All comments are greatly appreciated...as I will now be looking at hotels, scenic stops, etc etc.

^FT members!