Planning a drive from Denver to Las Vegas is one of the best routes to take through the southwestern region of the USA and I think there is truly no better way to explore the American Southwest than by car!
Beautiful mountain ranges, natural landmarks, cute towns, incredible National Parks and exciting cities are all well connected via an extensive network of highways, so if you give yourself a couple of days in a well-stocked car, you’ll find endless possibilities of things to do.
Table of Contents
Planning a Denver to Las Vegas Road Trip
When planning this trip, it is important to have an itinerary in mind and an idea of how far you plan on driving each day and where you’ll make stops.
The drive itself is beautiful and there are so many incredible things to see along the way, but there are definitely stretches where there aren’t any gas stations or towns to stop at to refuel, use the restroom or get food.
I suggest you plan ahead and make sure to take advantage of the resources in bigger towns so that you’re well-prepared for the barren stretches.
If you want to make sure you get a good deal on a car hire, then it’s worth browsing Rentalcars.com. This platform aggregates prices across many car hire companies to ensure you get a good deal irrespective of where you rent your car!
Alternatively, you can hire a campervan or RV through Outdoorsy to save on accommodation costs and be able to enjoy the great outdoors.
How Far is the Drive?
The distance from Denver to Las Vegas is about 750 miles (1270 kilometres) if driving along the I-70 West and the I-15 South.
If you were to drive straight there without making any stops, you could arrive in under 12 hours and do it all in one long day, but I wouldn’t recommend that, as you would miss all the incredible things the southwest has to offer!
In order to fully take advantage of your road trip and stop in some interesting places, it would be best to stretch out this road trip over a few days.
Best Denver to Las Vegas Stops
Denver, CO
While Denver is the starting point for your road trip, it is worth staying and exploring for a day or so before you hit the road. Denver has so much to offer visitors and has grown into such a dynamic, interesting, and fun city over the years.
Stay downtown and explore Larimer Square (Denver’s oldest and most historic block), 16th Street Mall, and Union Station to get a good grasp on the energy and layout of the city.
As far as activities go, Denver is home to many incredible museums, galleries, independent boutiques, fun dining concepts, and cool bars and nightlife.
I’d recommend checking out the Dairy Block and Milk Market near Union Station. This carefully crafted city block (and diverse food-hall situated within it) showcases the innovative spirit of Denver. After you’ve explored the city, make sure to get a good night’s sleep at any of the many hotels downtown so that you can be up early and ready to hit the road!
Georgetown, CO
From Denver, you’ll get on the I-70 West and begin your scenic drive into the mountains. The drive along I-70 is beautiful and watching the terrain change as you go higher and higher will be amazing in and of itself, but before you get too well situated on the road, make a stop in Georgetown, Colorado.
This small, historic mining town is so charming and old-fashioned, that you’ll truly feel as though you’ve stepped back in time as you walk up and down the main road. Pop into a cute café for a cup of coffee and a pastry before heading to the Georgetown Loop Railroad.
It is definitely worth taking the time to go for a ride on the railroad — the old-fashioned boutique train takes passengers on a loop through beautiful mountain terrain and provides stunning views, all the while transporting you back to a time in which railroads were the primary means of transportation.
Looking for other road trips to Las Vegas? Check out our Salt Lake City to Las Vegas & Phoenix to Las Vegas articles!
Vail, CO
After stopping in Georgetown and getting well acquainted with the beautiful mountains of Colorado, continue down the I-70 West for another hour until you reach Vail, one of the most famous ski destinations in the world.
If you’re a skier or snowboarder, I’d absolutely recommend staying in Vail for a full day or two so that you can experience the incredible mountain, but if winter sports aren’t your thing, you can still have a great time walking around the village at the base of the mountain.
There are plenty of shops, restaurants, cafes, and other activities. Vail is definitely a must-see if you want to get a taste of an authentic Colorado ski town.
Looking to spend the night in Vail? Check out this beautiful Bavarian chalet.
Glenwood Springs, CO
Just about another hour down the I-70 West past the White River National Forest, you’ll reach Glenwood Springs. A visit to this town is well worth it, as it is home to the world’s largest mineral hot springs pool.
A dip in the sprawling hot springs is a perfect and relaxing way to spend a few hours after all the driving and exploring you’ve done so far. If you’re the type of person that prefers to be active then take the hiking trail to Hanging Lake!
If you decide to stay in Glenwood Springs for more than just a few hours, consider checking out Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park.
This amusement park situated at the base of a mountain provides a fun and unique way to take in stunning views of the Rocky Mountains. Additionally, downtown Glenwood Springs is a fun place to wander around, with local breweries, some great restaurants, and shopping.
Fruita, CO
Our next stop is another hour and a half west of Glenwood Springs. The small town of Fruita, Colorado is definitely lesser known but worth a quick pit stop after you pass Grand Junction and the Colorado National Monument.
You’ll notice while driving into this town that the mountainous landscape you’ve been driving through thus far begins to change into more of a desert, indicating that you’re getting closer to Utah.
Fruita, named because of its humble origins as a fruit-producing region for the state, has evolved into a full-blown town with many unique activities to offer visitors.
You can elect to take a quick hike, mountain bike, or just explore the town on foot, but no visit to Fruita is complete without stopping at one of the various fruit stands around the entrance of the town that sells fresh, local fruit by the basket.
If it’s summertime, make sure you pick out some peaches — you’ll be amazed at how sweet and juicy the Fruita fruit is!
Cisco, UT
After stopping in Fruita, continue down the 1-70 West for another 45 minutes. You’ll cross over into Utah and come across Cisco, a small town that was formerly a livestock and cattle depot but is now an eerie, abandoned ghost town.
Cisco is worth a detour, as it illustrates how the modernization of transportation impacted the economy of small towns in the American West.
The abandoned houses and buildings situated in the barren desert landscape of Utah is equal parts interesting and spooky, which makes it a popular spot for photographers and artists.
Grab a camera and explore the ghost town for a few hours to get a glimpse into what life might have been like in the early 1900s.
Arches National Park, UT
Next on the list of must-see stops on a Denver to Las Vegas drive is Arches National Park in Moab, Utah. This stop is about an hour’s drive from Cisco and veers a little off the path to Nevada, but it is absolutely worth taking the extra time to see.
Arches, named so because it is home to over 2,000 natural stone arches, is an absolutely incredible National Park with such a unique landscape, you’ll feel as though you’re on a different planet. Wander around the park, either on foot or in the car, for a while in order to take in the absolutely breathtaking rock formations.
It’s also possible to organise day tours from Moab such as this 4×4 tour or this 4×4 tour.
Looking to spend the night near Arches? Check out this stunning house in Moab!
Mystic Hot Springs of Monroe, UT
After driving from Denver to Moab, get back on the I-70 West and make sure to fill up your tank, get some food, and use the restroom before embarking on the next part of the journey… for the next few hours, there will be long stretches of absolutely nothing.
After three hours on the road, you’ll come across one of the first towns you will have seen in a while — Monroe, Utah, home of the Mystic Hot Springs.
The Mystic Hot Springs include eight soaking pools of various heat, plus larger pools for proper swimming, all situated in a beautiful, rocky landscape that provides spectacular views.
A soak in the natural mineral hot springs is a perfect way to de-stress and unwind after the longest stretch of uninterrupted driving you will do on this long road trip.
Fremont Indian Museum and State Park, UT
Just a half-hour from the Mystic Hot Springs is our next stop, the Fremont Indian State Park and Museum.
This state park is the site of the ruins of one of the largest known Fremont Indian villages and is home to many incredible and interesting Native American artefacts.
Spend a few hours trying to decipher the rock art carved into the cliffs, checking out the preserved remains on display in the museum, and wandering the sprawling hiking trails of the park.
Zion National Park, UT
After visiting the Fremont Indian Museum and State Park, you’ll get off the I-70 West and begin driving down the I-15 South- this is the highway that’ll take you straight to Vegas!
But before you arrive in Sin City, make one final stop at Zion National Park – another absolutely incredible National Park that truly showcases the unique beauty of the American Southwest.
For the daredevil, consider going on the Angels Landing hike — this five-mile hike is one of the most popular in Utah, known for its absolutely beautiful views as you hike across a steep and narrow cliff ledge.
But be warned — this hike is not for the faint of heart or those with a fear of heights! Even if you decide not to do the hike, you’ll still find wandering around Zion to be a fantastic experience.
If you don’t have time to make it to Zion during your drive to Las Vegas, you can also take a day trip to Zion here while you’re in Las Vegas. This tour available includes transport, lunch and admission to Zion & Bryce Canyon National Parks.
Las Vegas, NV
From Zion, the I-15 South is a straight shot to Las Vegas, but there is not much in between these two stops, so again, make sure to fill up with gas and be ready for another long stretch of driving with little access to services.
You’ll cross into Nevada after about an hour, and in another hour and a half, you’ll have made it to Vegas!
For your Las Vegas itinerary, there are endless options of things to do and places to explore.
Make sure you allocate a few days to spend here, wandering the strip, seeing shows, shopping, taking some day trips and perhaps even trying your hand at gambling!
Where to Stay on the Drive
If you want a couple of good places to rest your head, then we recommend stopping over in Vail, Colorado and Moab, Utah.
These are great stopover points any time of year as Vail is a beautiful mountain town and Moab is the prime jumping-off point to explore the incredible Arches National Park.
Private rentals can be a great choice if you’re looking to stay in your own apartment or home such as this stunning house in Moab or this Bavarian chalet in Vail.
However, there are also plenty of traditional hotel and hostel options!
Vail
Montaneros in Vail — This hotel is a great choice if you want to be close to the action of Vail but also want space and self-catering facilities. There are a range of apartments available here that can suit any size of party.
Christiania Lodge — If you’re after a chic lodge at the base of Vail Mountain, then this is a great choice with various size rooms available & a heated pool & spa for guests to enjoy.
Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Vail hotels
Moab
Adventure Inn Moab — This classic boutique motel is an excellent place to stay, especially if you’re travelling on a tighter budget. They have a handful of clean and comfortable rooms available, free parking on site, and self-service laundry facilities.
Comfort Suites Moab — A good option if your budget is higher, this hotel has great rooms available, a heated pool on site, and free parking for hotel guests.
Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Moab hotels
Las Vegas
Horseshoe Las Vegas — A good mid-range option, this hotel/casino is located right on the Vegas strip. They have many rooms to choose from, many restaurants on-site, a heated swimming pool and breakfast included in the nightly rate.
Bellagio — One of the most iconic Las Vegas hotels, this is a great high-end option with a Cirque du Soleil show on-site.
Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Vegas hotels!
As you can see, this scenic drive is one of the best and most interesting ways you could explore the Southwest US. With so many unique and interesting stops in between these two major cities, you’ll find that time on the road flies by.
Are you planning a drive to Las Vegas from Denver? Have any questions? Let us know in the comments!
