St. George to Denver
The Mile High City offers Red Rocks Amphitheatre, world-class skiing, Rocky Mountain National Park, craft breweries, and professional sports — all connected by one of the most stunning drives in America through the Colorado Rockies.
I-15 North → I-70 East
625 miles
Distance
9 hr
Drive Time
northeast
Direction
Year-round
Best Time
Driving from St. George to Denver
Route: I-15 North → I-70 East
Head north on I-15 to Cove Fort, take I-70 East through the San Rafael Swell, Green River, Grand Junction, Glenwood Canyon, Vail Pass, and the Eisenhower Tunnel before descending into the Denver metro area. The Colorado mountain section is one of the most scenic interstate drives in America.
About Denver
Denver is a full-day drive from St. George but rewards the effort with incredible mountain scenery along the way and a vibrant city at the destination. The I-70 route through Colorado passes through some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in America — Glenwood Canyon with its towering walls and hanging lakes, Vail Pass at 10,662 feet, and the Eisenhower Tunnel bored through the Continental Divide at 11,158 feet.
Denver itself has transformed into one of the most dynamic cities in the American West. The LoDo (Lower Downtown) district features historic warehouses converted to breweries, restaurants, and entertainment venues. Coors Field (Colorado Rockies baseball), Empower Field (Denver Broncos football), and Ball Arena (Colorado Avalanche hockey and Denver Nuggets basketball) provide year-round professional sports. The Denver Art Museum, Museum of Nature & Science, and the 16th Street Mall offer cultural attractions.
The crown jewel near Denver is Red Rocks Amphitheatre — a natural amphitheater carved into red sandstone formations that hosts world-class concerts with unparalleled acoustics and views. Rocky Mountain National Park is 90 minutes from downtown, with Trail Ridge Road climbing above 12,000 feet through alpine tundra. In winter, world-class ski resorts like Vail, Breckenridge, and Copper Mountain are 90 minutes west on I-70.
Gas Stops Along the Way
- Cedar City — 52 miles / 55 min
- Salina — 170 miles / 2 hr 15 min (CRITICAL — fill up before I-70 east)
- Green River — 280 miles / 3 hr 30 min
- Grand Junction — 380 miles / 5 hr (full services)
- Glenwood Springs — 440 miles / 6 hr (hot springs rest stop)
- Vail — 500 miles / 7 hr
- Idaho Springs — 590 miles / 8 hr 30 min
Weather & Climate
Denver has a semi-arid climate with 300+ days of sunshine. Summers are warm (80-95°F) with afternoon thunderstorms. Winters are cold (20-45°F) with periodic snow but frequent sunny breaks. Spring is variable, and fall brings spectacular mountain colors. Denver itself gets less snow than the mountains.
Best Time to Visit
Year-round
Summer (June-August) for Red Rocks concerts, Rockies baseball, and Rocky Mountain National Park. Winter (December-March) for world-class skiing. Spring and fall offer pleasant city weather and fewer crowds. September-October brings stunning aspen colors in the mountains.
Things to Do in Denver
From outdoor adventures to dining, here is everything worth experiencing when you visit Denver, Colorado.
Top Attractions
Red Rocks Amphitheatre
Free (daytime), $50-$200+ (concerts)Natural amphitheater formed by 300-foot red sandstone monoliths with legendary acoustics. Concerts from March through November feature world-class acts. During the day, hike the trails and visit the museum for free.
Even if no concert, visit during the day to hike the stairs and see the venue — it is stunning
Denver Union Station
Free to visitBeautifully restored 1914 train station now housing restaurants, bars, shops, and a boutique hotel. The Great Hall is the social hub of downtown Denver.
Denver Art Museum
$15-$22World-class museum with 70,000+ works including an outstanding Western American art collection and stunning Daniel Libeskind-designed building.
Denver Museum of Nature & Science
$18-$25Excellent museum in City Park with dinosaur exhibits, space science, wildlife dioramas, planetarium, and IMAX theater. Great for families.
16th Street Mall
FreeMile-long pedestrian promenade through downtown with 300+ shops, restaurants, and entertainment options. Free MallRide shuttle runs the entire length.
Craft Beer & Dining
Denver Craft Brewery Scene
$$Denver has more craft breweries than almost any city in America. Great Divide, Ratio, Odell, and Denver Beer Co. are favorites. The RiNo (River North) district has the highest brewery concentration.
Snooze A.M. Eatery
$$Denver-born breakfast chain with creative pancakes, benedicts, and cocktails. The pineapple upside-down pancakes are legendary. Always a wait on weekends.
Biker Jim's Gourmet Dogs
$Wild game hot dogs (reindeer, rattlesnake, elk) topped with cream cheese and caramelized onions. A uniquely Denver experience near Coors Field.
Casa Bonita
$$The legendary Mexican restaurant and entertainment complex featured in South Park. Recently renovated with improved food and entertainment. Cliff divers, arcades, and Black Bart's Cave.
Cherry Creek Dining
$$$Upscale shopping and dining district south of downtown. Elway's steakhouse, Quality Italian, and dozens of boutiques and galleries.
Outdoor Activities
Rocky Mountain National Park
$30 per vehicle90 minutes from Denver. Trail Ridge Road climbs to 12,183 feet through alpine tundra with mountain views and wildlife (elk, bighorn sheep, marmots). Over 350 miles of hiking trails.
Timed entry reservations required in summer — book at recreation.gov
Ski Resorts (Vail, Breckenridge, Copper)
$150-$250+ lift ticketsWorld-class skiing 90 minutes west on I-70. Vail is the largest ski resort in Colorado, Breckenridge has the best town atmosphere, and Copper Mountain offers great value.
Glenwood Springs Hot Springs
$30-$45The world's largest mineral hot springs pool is 6 hours into the drive from St. George — a perfect rest stop. Iron Mountain Hot Springs offers smaller, more intimate pools along the Colorado River.
Garden of the Gods (Colorado Springs)
FreeFree park in Colorado Springs (75 miles south of Denver) with dramatic red sandstone formations against a backdrop of Pikes Peak. Easy hiking trails and stunning photography.
Sports & Entertainment
Coors Field (Colorado Rockies)
$6-$100+Beautiful downtown ballpark with Rocky Mountain views. The Rooftop bar and $6 Rockpile seats offer affordable baseball in an incredible setting.
Empower Field (Denver Broncos)
$75-$300+NFL stadium with a passionate fan base and mountain views. Game-day tailgating in the surrounding lots is a Denver tradition.
Ball Arena (Nuggets & Avalanche)
$30-$200+Home to the NBA's Denver Nuggets and NHL's Colorado Avalanche. The downtown location makes it easy to combine a game with dinner.
Travel Tips for the St. George to Denver Drive
I-70 through the Colorado mountains can close in winter storms — always check conditions at cotrip.org
Glenwood Springs (6 hours in) has world-famous hot springs and makes an excellent overnight stop to split the drive
Denver is at 5,280 feet — the altitude can cause headaches and fatigue for some visitors, especially at first
Consider splitting the drive with an overnight in Grand Junction (5 hours from St. George) or Moab
The I-70 corridor west of Denver is extremely congested on Sunday afternoons (ski traffic returning to Denver)
The Eisenhower Tunnel (11,158 feet) is the highest vehicular tunnel in the world — an experience in itself
Red Rocks is free to visit during the day even without a concert — hike the stairs for an amazing workout
Frequently Asked Questions: St. George to Denver
How far is Denver from St. George?
Denver is approximately 625 miles (9 hours) from St. George via I-15 North and I-70 East through the Colorado Rockies.
Is the drive from St. George to Denver scenic?
Very scenic, especially through Colorado. Glenwood Canyon, Vail Pass, and the Eisenhower Tunnel are highlights. The Utah section through the San Rafael Swell is also beautiful.
Where should I stop between St. George and Denver?
Glenwood Springs (6 hours) is the best overnight stop — it has world-famous hot springs, restaurants, and hotels. Grand Junction (5 hours) and Moab (4.5 hours, slight detour) are also excellent options.
Does I-70 close in winter?
I-70 through the Colorado mountains can close during severe winter storms, particularly near Vail Pass and the Eisenhower Tunnel. Always check conditions at cotrip.org before winter travel.
Nearby Destinations from Denver
Moab
The adventure capital of Utah, home to Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, legendary mountain biking, world-class rock climbing, and Colorado River rafting. Moab delivers adrenaline-pumping outdoor experiences in a jaw-dropping desert landscape.
Salt Lake City
Utah's capital city offers world-class skiing, a thriving food scene, professional sports, and the international airport that connects Southern Utah to the world. The I-15 corridor is the most-traveled route for St. George residents.
Complete Guide: Driving from St. George to Denver
St. George to Denver — 625 miles, 9 hr Drive
Denver is a full-day drive from St. George but rewards the effort with incredible mountain scenery along the way and a vibrant city at the destination. The I-70 route through Colorado passes through some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in America — Glenwood Canyon with its towering walls and hanging lakes, Vail Pass at 10,662 feet, and the Eisenhower Tunnel bored through the Continental Divide at 11,158 feet.
The route from St. George, Utah to Denver, Colorado covers 625 miles and takes approximately 9 hr via I-15 North → I-70 East. Head north on I-15 to Cove Fort, take I-70 East through the San Rafael Swell, Green River, Grand Junction, Glenwood Canyon, Vail Pass, and the Eisenhower Tunnel before descending into the Denver metro area. The Colorado mountain section is one of the most scenic interstate drives in America.
Things to Do in Denver
Top Attractions: Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Denver Union Station, Denver Art Museum. Craft Beer & Dining: Denver Craft Brewery Scene, Snooze A.M. Eatery, Biker Jim's Gourmet Dogs. Outdoor Activities: Rocky Mountain National Park, Ski Resorts (Vail, Breckenridge, Copper), Glenwood Springs Hot Springs. Sports & Entertainment: Coors Field (Colorado Rockies), Empower Field (Denver Broncos), Ball Arena (Nuggets & Avalanche).
Best Time to Visit Denver
Summer (June-August) for Red Rocks concerts, Rockies baseball, and Rocky Mountain National Park. Winter (December-March) for world-class skiing. Spring and fall offer pleasant city weather and fewer crowds. September-October brings stunning aspen colors in the mountains.
Travel Tips
I-70 through the Colorado mountains can close in winter storms — always check conditions at cotrip.org. Glenwood Springs (6 hours in) has world-famous hot springs and makes an excellent overnight stop to split the drive. Denver is at 5,280 feet — the altitude can cause headaches and fatigue for some visitors, especially at first. Consider splitting the drive with an overnight in Grand Junction (5 hours from St. George) or Moab.
For more things to do near St. George, explore our Things to Do guide, browse the Events Calendar, or discover local businesses in the St. George Business Directory. Check out all road trip destinations from St. George including Moab, Salt Lake City.