Top 10 Can’t-Miss Scenic Drives in Colorado

Colorado is most well-known for its mountainous landscape. With the Rocky Mountains running directly through the heart of the state, this is indeed a dominant feature that adds scenic beauty to the area.

Colorado is also a land filled with open plains, scenic valleys, serene lakes, babbling brooks, powerful waterfalls, and more.

Hundreds of larger and smaller roads wind throughout Colorado, and you can easily lose yourself as you travel along the way and take in the grandeur of the Rocky Mountains and other natural sights.

Wildlife is abundant throughout the state, and it is common to see everything from bear and deer to bighorn sheep and more as you drive throughout the state.

Remember that Colorado is a state that enjoys all four seasons. Throughout each season, you can experience the landscapes in different ways. Plan to explore the most scenic drives in Colorado at various times of year to take in their true beauty.

If you’d like to hit the road and explore Colorado, enter your ZIP code above first and compare at least three to four policies today to ensure you’re fully covered!

The Top 10 Scenic Drives in Colorado

#1 — Trail Ridge Road

Length of Route: 47 miles
Highlight: Continental Divide, Rocky Mountain National Park

Trail Ridge Road is a rather short, scenic drive through Rocky Mountain National Park that takes you across the Continental Divide at a towering elevation.

This route takes you from Estes Park to Grand Lake, and it is the highest paved road in the country.

Because you will be above the tree line, you can expect to see wide open views, meadows, wildlife, and wildflowers. Notably, the historic Stanley Hotel is located just off of Trail Ridge Road, and movie buffs may love to see this hotel in person.

#2 — Independence Pass in Aspen

Length of Route: 27 miles
Highlight: Old mining ruins

Independence Pass is a shortened version of the famous Top of the Rockies scenic drive. This route is ideal for those who want to enjoy breathtaking views and who have only a limited amount of time available to do so.

Independence Pass takes you through the sleepy old mining town of Twin Lakes, which is now ideal for many winter recreational activities. The pass is only open seasonally, so check the road conditions before you venture out.

#3 — Mount Evans Scenic Byway

Length of Route: 28 miles
Highlight: Mount Evans

Mount Evans is among the most popular Rocky Mountain peaks that hover above the 14,000-foot mark. The Mount Evans Scenic Byway takes you up into the mountain with a steep elevation change.

You will be immersed in piney woods that eventually fade away to meadows when you pass above the tree line. You will also see lakes and rivers as well as several wildlife species if you are lucky.

#4 — Peak to Peak Scenic Byway in Estes Park

Length of Route: 40 miles
Highlight: Longs Peak, Estes Park

If you are traveling between Denver and Estes Park, the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway is an excellent route to consider. This path runs from Nederland to Estes Park, and it takes you by Peaceful Valley, Ward, Longs Peak, and several other notable attractions.

This drive is particularly beautiful in the fall months when the tree foliage is changing colors.

#5 — Kebler Pass in Crested Butte

Length of Route: 50 miles
Highlight: Unpaved roads with unspoiled wilderness for a stretch

If you are looking for the perfect route in Colorado that takes you off of the beaten path and immerses you in incredible natural beauty, Kebler Pass in Crested Butte is a leading option to consider.

This road is paved in some places, but other places are narrow, dirt roads that may require some patience when navigating around on-coming traffic. Luckily, this pass is relatively untraveled, so you can expect minimal traffic along the way.

You will drive from Crested Butte to Paonia, passing by West Beckwith Mountain as well as numerous other features.

#6 — Million Dollar Highway in Silverton

Length of Route: 6 miles
Highlight: San Juan Skyway

The Million Dollar Highway in Silverton is one of the shortest scenic drives on this list, but its length should not dissuade you from experiencing its beauty. This route is a four-lane highway that takes you on the San Juan Skyway.

You can pass through Durango, Ouray, and Silverton. All have noteworthy shops, restaurants, and attractions for you to explore.

The road has sharp corners, and some of the areas do not have guardrails. Be prepared to take this short drive slowly to stay safe on the road.

#7 — Highway of Legends

Length of Route: 110 miles
Highlight: Trinidad, Cucharas Pass

When you want to get off the Interstate while traveling through Colorado, the perfect deviation from your itinerary is to hop on the Highway of Legends.

The Highway of Legends is a wonderful route to take when you want to take your time and get to know more about the area.

In Trinidad, you can stop at the Trinidad History Museum. There is also a statue commemorating the Ludlow Massacre that occurred decades ago. The Cucharas River, Spanish Peaks, and other features add personality to the landscape while you drive.

#8 — Santa Fe Trail

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wN4gGzIBl70

Length of Route: 188 miles
Highlight: Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site

To truly get to know all that Colorado has to offer, you need to venture away from the Rockies and see some of the plains.

The Santa Fe Trail takes you through the southeastern corner of the state near Trinidad, Boggsville, and other areas.

Be sure to stop by the Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site while you pass through this flat prairie land so that you can learn more about the state’s Old West history. In Iron Spring, you can see actual wagon ruts from the Santa Fe Trail.

The Picketwire Dinosaur Tracksite is another notable point of interest.

#9 — Top of the Rockies

Length of Route: 115 miles
Highlight: Leadville, Vale

The Top of the Rockies route is by far one of the best scenic drives in the state. This drive takes out over three mountain passes and across the Arkansas River.

You will also pass through historic and popular tourist towns, such as Leadville and Vale. You can continue on with your drive when you connect to Independence Pass and cross into Aspen.

#10 — Guanella Pass

Length of Route: 10 miles
Highlight:Mt. Bierstadt, Historic Georgetown

Guanella Pass is located a short drive from Mount Evans and Mount Bierstadt near Georgetown.

You can spend ample time exploring the shops and restaurants in the historic Main Street area, but you will also want to get back on the road to check out the scenery.

Expect to see wide open mountain views as well as plenty of bighorn sheep as you travel through the pass.

Preparing for Your Scenic Drive

A road trip through the Colorado Rockies, as well as the surrounding flatlands, requires lots of planning and preparation. Regardless of the time of the year when you plan to travel, the elevation changes throughout the state can result in varying weather conditions and unpredictable temperature changes.

You simply must be prepared for all weather conditions regardless of the season if you want to be safe while you are traveling through Colorado.

There are some other steps that you can take to stay safe on the road when taking a scenic drive. For example, make a road trip checklist, and always know your route ahead of time. It is also beneficial to have your vehicle serviced and inspected before your road trip.

Stock your car with:

• A first aid kit
• Blankets
• Bottled water
• Non-perishable food
• An emergency kit
• Bear spray

– Laws and Comparison Shopping in Colorado

Even when you take every preventive step possible to stay safe on the road, you may still be involved in an accident while driving through this state. There could be an accident where you run off the road and are the only car involved, where you hit a pedestrian, or where you hit wildlife.

You need to review your policy today to ensure that you have the right coverage to protect you in all situations.

The state’s minimum legal requirement for car insurance only includes liability coverage.

With this type of coverage, the insurance company will pay other people for their expenses related to an accident. However, your own expenses will not be covered with a liability-only policy. The minimum requirements include:

• $25,000 per person and $50,000 per incident for bodily injury liability
• $15,000 per incident for property damage liability

Because there are so many hazards that you face on Colorado roads, such as wildlife and cyclists, you need to consider the benefits of upgrading to a comprehensive insurance policy. Keep in mind that a comprehensive policy may be required by some auto lenders.

Requesting at least three or four different policies from highly reputable insurance companies is a wise idea.

You may be tempted to comparison shop based on price alone, but remember that the reputation of the auto insurance company also needs to be taken into consideration.

The ideal insurance policy will have excellent coverage and a low rate, but it will also be issued by a reputable insurance provider that has exceptional financial strength.

– Penalties for Driving Without Insurance

Drivers in Colorado may be asked to show proof of coverage when they are pulled over for a moving violation or when they are in an accident.

Remember that being uninsured does not mean that you are not liable for the damages you cause while driving. You will have to pay those damages out of pocket if you do not have proper insurance in place.

There are also legal penalties associated with driving without insurance in Colorado. You may receive one or multiple penalties, including:

• Up to four points on your record
• A fine between $500 and $1,000
• A potential suspension of your license
• A sentence of up to 40 hours of public service

If you’re driving through Colorado and want to ensure you’re fully covered on the road, enter your ZIP code below and start comparison shopping today!