Which route would you take: Colorado Springs to Rifle, Colorado
 

If you were leaving early on a summer weekday afternoon to drive a 16' rental truck from Colorado Springs to Rifle, Colorado, which of these ways would you go:

I-25 to Denver, C-470 around southwest Denver, then I-70 to Rifle

or

US 24 to CO9 to Frisco, then I-70 to Rifle

or

US 24 all the way to I-70 and thence to Rifle

The first one. All freeway. The two passes are Eisenhower tunnel and Vail Pass, both 7% grades with plenty of room to maneuver.

If you go US 24 you're going to have a lot of hairpin turns going downhill out of Leadville. If you take SH 9 you're going over Hoosier Pass - 8% grade. Ew.

Thank you. Any concerns about the Twin Tunnels blasting delays?

If you leave early in the morning, you shouldn't have any issues. They do blasting most days but advertise when they do. I think the earliest they start is 10 or 11am and continue through the day. They do close both sides of the freeway when they do blast.

The first option you listed is the fastest way since it is all freeway.

Thanks, but can't leave before 1pm.

Looks like maximum possible delay is 30 minutes. Still better and safer than the other routes, IMO.

Again, thanks. I'm following them on Twitter, but made add SMS at the beginning of the trip.

I would also highly recommend downloading the CODOT app. Very helpful and scarily accurate (w/r/t travel times).