Denver to Durango – Should You Fly or Drive?

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downtown durango, colorado

Trying to decide if you should fly or drive between Denver and Durango? Flying is by far the fastest option, but driving is generally cheaper and allows for more flexibility. This guide examines the cases for both so you can make the right decision for your trip.

Durango, CO is a popular destination in southwestern Colorado. It is, however, not the easiest place to get to from Denver. It’s actually quicker to drive to Wyoming, Utah, New Mexico and Mount Rushmore!

If you’re planning a trip from Denver to Durango (or vice versa), the question always is – should you fly or drive?

Unsurprisingly, the answer is: it depends.

You can fly directly from Denver to Durango-La Plata County Airport (DRO) in about an hour or you can drive for 6-7 hours.

Sure, flying for 1 hour sounds a lot better than driving for 7, but there are situations when driving might make more sense, and others when flying might make more sense.

Below, I will go over all the pros and cons for both flying and driving to consider when planning your trip.

Denver to Durango – Flying vs Driving at a Glance

First, let’s look at flying versus driving at a glance.

FactorsDrivingFlying
DistanceAbout 337 milesAbout 215 miles
Travel TimeFrom 6-7 hoursAbout 1 hour flight time, but total 3-4 hours including check-in, security, boarding, and retrieving luggage
CostVariable depending on vehicle’s gas mileage, current gas prices, and wear and tear on vehicleTicket prices can vary greatly, from $200 – $300 for a one-way ticket. Additional costs may include transportation to and from the airport, parking, etc.
Departure TimeAnytimeSet. Depends on airline schedule
ConvenienceYou can stop anytime, flexibility with departure timeFaster, but subject to flight schedule, possible delays
SceneryBeautiful Colorado landscape. Exact scenery varies on route selectedMostly aerial views, limited to window of airplane
Luggage RestrictionsNo restrictionsYes, depends on airline policies
PetsNo restrictions, unless you are renting a car with pet restrictionsRestrictions
Environmental ImpactHigher due to CO2 emissions from vehicleHigher altitude flights can have significant climate impact, but per person emission might be less for a full flight
Additional ConsiderationsPotential for traffic, possible road conditions due to weatherSecurity checks, early arrival needed, possible cancellations or delays

Obviously, exact details may vary, but this is a good starting point. Flight times can change depending on the exact flight path and winds. Driving times can change depending on the exact route chosen, the speed of driving, and stops along the way. Costs can also vary greatly depending on a wide variety of factors.

The Case for Flying to Durango

So, should you fly or drive from Denver to Durango? Here are the most popular reasons to fly to Durango.

Save time

The most obvious reason for flying between Denver and Durango is to save time. Flight time is approximately 1 hour, while the fastest drive (without stops) takes a minimum of 6 hours.

You’ll obviously have to factor in transfer time to and through Denver Airport, so total travel time might end up being around 3-4 hours total, but it’s still a significantly shorter amount of time than driving.

Cost

Usually, it’s cheaper to drive than fly between Denver and Durango, but there are times (although rare) when it may cost less to fly than drive.

If, for example, Durango is your final destination and you’re just transiting through Denver, it’s probably going to be better cost-wise to book your flight all the way through to Durango instead of stopping in Denver and driving from there.  

Flying might also be cheaper if you need a rental car from Denver for the drive itself.

Short trip

If you’re planning a weekend getaway to Durango or Denver, it might make more sense to fly.

Driving time will take you around 13 hours+ round trip, while you’ll probably spend around 5 hours round trip between Denver Airport and Durango-La Plata County Airport, which is quite a large chunk of your limited vacation time.

Work trip

If you’re traveling for work, it makes more sense to fly between Denver and Durango in almost every case.

Work will either require you to rent a car or it will reimburse you for mileage if you’re driving your own car. In either case, the costs will pile up pretty fast, and it’s likely that flying will come out cheaper.

Aside from cost, the other factor to consider is productivity. All the time spent driving is time lost that could be spent working!

The Case for Driving to Durango

Driving offers a lot more flexibility than flying. Here are the top reasons to drive to Durango.

Make it a road trip

Driving from Denver to Durango (or Durango to Denver) makes for a perfect road trip.

There are several routes that you can take, so it really depends on where you want to stop along the way and what kind of scenery you want to pass.

Either way, it’s the perfect opportunity to visit some lesser-known destinations throughout the state. Have you ever been to Salida? Do you want to see Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park? Do you want to drive the ever-dreaded Million Dollar Highway? All of these are possible via different routes between Denver and Durango.

Cost

More often than not, driving between Denver and Durango is going to be much cheaper than flying.

You won’t find one-way tickets for less than $200 per person, which is much more than you’d spend on gas. The cost savings also go up considerably when adding more travelers in the same car.

Pets

The ability to bring pets is something I always think about when planning a trip that’s within driving distance. I will almost always bring my dogs if I can!

Airlines, of course, have restrictions when it comes to traveling with pets, and I’m one of those people who would never fly with my dog on a plane unless they’re in the cabin with me.

Driving will eliminate this worry. Just make sure your accommodation is pet-friendly!

Convenience

Durango is a good place to have a car. While the downtown area is super walkable, there is a lot more to see that’s outside of the main stretch and is within driving distance. Having your own car (because you drove) is a huge convenience.  

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, the decision to drive or fly from Denver to Durango comes down to a variety of factors.

If it’s going to be a quick trip or you’re pressed for time, fly. If you’re trying to save money or if you want to take a Colorado road trip (while bringing your pets along), drive.

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