The Ultimate Road Trip from Denver to Santa Fe
Abby and Sam PriceMy husband and I are always on the search for phenomenal road trips from our home base of Denver, Colorado. One of our favorites that we have embarked on is the ultimate road trip from Denver to Santa Fe.
We had been hearing marvelous reviews of Santa Fe and had never visited the state of New Mexico before so we knew that we had to check this road trip off our bucket list and see what all the hype was about!
Our road trip from Denver to Santa Fe was filled with great views, tremendous food, and countless memories that we will savor forever.
Below you will find a guide to the ultimate road trip from Denver to Santa Fe. Enjoy!
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Denver to Santa Fe Driving Distance:
The drive took about 6 hours from downtown Denver, Colorado to downtown Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Denver to Santa Fe Miles:
It is roughly 390 miles from Denver, Colorado to Santa Fe, New Mexico and totally worth it, in our opinion!
What is the best road trip from Denver to Santa Fe?
We recommend taking I-25 the whole way from Denver to Santa Fe because you stay on the interstate for nearly the whole journey and it is the fastest route to get you there.
What is halfway between Denver and Santa Fe?
The small towns of Farista and Walsenburg, Colorado are about halfway between Denver and Santa Fe.
Where should I stop between Denver and Santa Fe?
There are countless phenomenal places to stop between Denver and Santa Fe. Check out our favorites below:
Colorado Springs
We adore the city of Colorado Springs. It is full of vibrant life, countless shopping and exquisite restaurants, and its proximity to the mountains is unparalleled.
If you are searching for a bustling city outside of Denver that offers endless things to do, look no further.
👉🏼 Check out the DoubleTree by Hilton Colorado Springs or the Garden of the Gods Club & Resort for a phenomenal Colorado Springs experience!
Manitou Springs
If you are looking to stop somewhere adventurous on your way from Denver to Santa Fe, Manitou Springs is a great option.
This town is known for its mineral springs and dramatic mountain landscape.
We recommend stopping by this area to do the infamous Manitou Incline Trail, a famous hike that consists of nearly 3,000 stairs that will lead you to some spectacular views.
👉🏼 Be sure to check out the Cliff House at Pikes Peak for a great stay in the Manitou Springs area!
Pueblo
Pueblo is a smaller city in the state of Colorado and is known for the Historic Arkansas Riverwalk.
This small city has a rich history and fun things to do like the Pueblo Zoo and the Pueblo Weisbrod Aircraft Museum.
If you are searching for a more local city that still has a handful of activities and restaurants to choose from, Pueblo is your place to visit!
👉🏼 Click here to book your stay at the Courtyard by Marriott Pueblo!
Great Sand Dunes National Park
Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado is one of the state’s most incredible “hidden gems.”
This National Park is not nearly as popular as Rocky Mountain National Park but it is SO worth a visit.
Great Sand Dunes National Park is home to the largest sand dunes in North America and it is surreal to walk on such large sand dunes in the middle of the United States.
👉🏼 Unfortunately, there are not many hotels to stay at near Great Sand Dunes National Park, we recommend checking out camping at Great Sand Dunes for the best experience!
Taos
The town of Taos is largely known for being a fantastic ski town in the state of New Mexico.
We highly recommend that you check out Taos during the winter months to ski some great slopes!
However, if you are visiting the area in the spring, summer, or fall, be sure to check out this town during those seasons as well.
It is still a great place to visit due to its incredible mountain scenery and rich history!
👉🏼 Be sure to click here for a charming stay at the La Dona Luz Inn a Historic B&B!
What is the best month to visit Santa Fe?
Santa Fe is truly a magnificent place to visit year round but we recommend visiting Santa Fe during the month of October so that you can catch mild temperatures and visit the Hot Air Balloon Fiesta in the nearby town of Albuquerque.
How many days do you need in Santa Fe?
We recommend staying in Santa Fe for at least 3 days but if you have the time and money, we recommend visiting for 5-7 days so you can really see all that Santa Fe has to offer.
What is a good road trip from Denver?
There are SO many good road trips to take from Denver, Colorado.
Some of our favorites are Denver to Moab, Denver to Mount Rushmore, Denver to Ouray, and of course, Denver to Santa Fe.
The Best Tips for a Road Trip Denver to Santa Fe:
My husband and I have been traveling together for nearly five years now and have embarked on countless road trips.
Over the last several years we have learned countless tips and tricks when it comes to having the ultimate road trip.
Check out our best tips for a road trip from Denver to Santa Fe below:
- Download Google Maps Directions Ahead of Time – This allows you to have directions pre downloaded in case you lose service along the way!
- Make a Playlist – Creating a road trip playlist can be a game changer. It not only gets you in the mood to be in the car for several hours but it allows you to already have a list of songs determined so that you don’t spend hours trying to figure out what to listen to on the radio.
- Bring Plenty of Snacks and Water – Preparing for your road trip by packing snacks and water not only saves you from stopping along the way but it also keeps you happy and healthy during your drive. Bringing your own supplies to stay hydrated and full prevents you from spending excess money and it keeps you from getting hangry!
- Plan Your Stops Ahead of Time – Be sure to examine your road trip route before hitting the road and plan your gas, restroom, dining, and sightseeing stops ahead of time. This will save you so much time while on the road and it gives you stops to look forward to!
Alternative Transportation Options for Visiting Santa Fe from Denver:
Denver to Santa Fe Train:
There are two trains daily that will take from Denver, Colorado to Santa Fe, New Mexico.
You can book your trip on Amtrak and it typically takes about 9 hours to 9 and a half hours to get there!
If you are someone that loves trains and likes the freedom to get up and move around without the hassle of driving yourself, this could be a great option for you!
Denver to Santa Fe Bus:
There is an option to take a bus from Denver to Santa Fe but it requires quite a few different stops and hopping on different buses to get to your destination.
Ultimately, we do not recommend it because of its difficulty and inconvenience.
Denver to Santa Fe Flying:
There are daily nonstop flights that will take you from Denver, Colorado to Santa Fe, New Mexico!
This is a great option for those that have the money and would rather avoid multiple hours in a car or on a train.
Upon Your Arrival to Santa Fe: FAQs About Santa Fe
We wrote a whole article on how to spend the perfect 72 hours in Santa Fe so be sure to check that out for in depth details on the best things to do, where to eat, and the best places to stay in the area. However, below you will find a condensed list of our favorites!
The Best Things to do in Santa Fe:
- Meow Wolf
- Explore the Santa Fe Plaza
- Eat, Drink, and Explore the Railyard District of Santa Fe
- Go on one of the best walking tours in Santa Fe
The Best Places to Eat in Santa Fe:
- La Choza
- The Shed
- The Pantry
The Best Places to Stay in Santa Fe:
Is Taos worth the drive from Santa Fe?
Taos is about 1 hour and 30 minutes from Santa Fe!
If you are visiting Santa Fe for longer than 3 days, we recommend adding Taos to your list of things to do and see in the area because it’s a beautiful New Mexico mountain town that has so much to offer.
Plus, if you plan on visiting the area during the winter months, you should definitely add Taos to your bucket list due to its incredible winter outdoor recreational activities!
Taos is home to one of the best resorts to snowboard and ski in the United States and one of the best ski resorts in the state of New Mexico!
However, if you are limited on time, we recommend just exploring the town of Santa Fe because there is truly so much history, cuisine, and adventures to embark on within the town of Santa Fe itself.
We spent 72 hours in Santa Fe and although we were able to see and accomplish so much, we wish we had even more time to see more of the charming town.
Where do you stop between Albuquerque and Denver?
Albuquerque is just below Santa Fe, New Mexico.
It is about 64 miles southwest of the town of Santa Fe so you will pass many of the same places between Santa Fe and Denver as you would for Albuquerque and Denver!
Below is a list of our favorite places to stop along the way:
- Colorado Springs
- Manitou Springs
- Pueblo
- Great Sand Dunes National Park
- Taos
- Santa Fe
Overall: Is it worth going on a road trip from Denver to Santa Fe?
We cannot recommend this road trip enough! There are countless scenic landscapes along the way, endless delicious restaurants and shopping, and a tremendous amount of memories to be made on a road trip from Denver to Santa Fe!
