3 Day & 7 Day Denver to Moab Road Trip Itineraries

Planning a road trip from Denver to Moab? Whether you’re squeezing in a long weekend or taking your time with a full week of exploring, this Denver to Moab itinerary has you covered. Below, you’ll find two flexible options: a 3-day highlights route and a 7-day deep-dive through scenic byways, resort towns, and jaw-dropping natural landscapes.

Each itinerary includes some of the best stops between Colorado and Utah, all of which we cover in more detail in our main Denver to Moab Road Trip Guide.

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Denver to Moab Itinerary Routes

There are a ton of amazing places between Denver and Moab, as you can see on this map below. This is the general route we’ll be pulling from for your itinerary to ensure you see the best that Colorado and Utah have to offer, whether you’re covering it in 3 days or 7 days.

3-Day Denver to Moab Itinerary

With limited time, you can still make the road trip from Denver to Moab possible! You’ll just have to be selective on where you spend your time, cutting out all of the fun optional stops along the way.

Here’s one selected itinerary to make a 3 day trip from Denver to Moab.

Day 1: Denver, Breckenridge, Vail

Begin your adventure with a walking tour of Denver in the morning adding in another couple of hours to see your one or two other must have sights of interest.

Then set off to Breckenridge where you can stretch your legs finding the Breckenridge Troll. Get back in the car for your last push to the quaint town of Vail, where you’ll have a lovely dinner, walk around town, and spend the night.

Where to Stay in Vail

Your best bet with one night is to find a place to stay in central Vail so you can walk around the best parts of the town. I highly recommend the Arrabelle at Vail Square, but another great option is Tivoli Lodge. Check the rate for Arrabelle here and Tivoli Lodge here.

Day 2: Glenwood Springs, Colorado National Monument, Palisade

Start your day by driving to Glenwood Springs and hiking to Hanging Lake. Then head off to Colorado National Monument for some more exploration.

Wind down your day with a glass of wine in Palisade before catching sunset on your drive into Moab where you’ll spend the night to give you a full day in Moab on day 3.

Where to Stay in Moab

With just one night in Moab, treat yourself to Hoodoo Moab, Curio Collection by Hilton where you’ll have stunning views of the red rocks of Moab all around you. Check the current rate.

Day 3: Moab

With just one day in Moab, you’re going to have to be efficient to see the highlights of the area. You can either:

Choose to deep dive into Arches National Park and see as much as you can with one day – this is what I would recommend.

Or, you can hit Arches in the morning, head to Canyonlands Island in the Sky in the afternoon, and catch the sunset at Dead Horse Point. This will be a full day, but you will be able to see the highlights all in one day. This of course will leave you waiting to come back for more time in Moab!

If you want to go for the second option, you may want to select a tour to help you see the most in your limited time. There are some fantastic options, like Discover Moab in a Day, which will take you to Arches, Canyonlands, and Dead Horse Point.

1 Week Itinerary from Denver to Moab

In an ideal world, you would spend about one week doing this road trip. If you are short on time, you can certainly condense it and skip or abbreviate some of the stops as necessary. Or, you can add on additional days to add in the optional activities we still couldn’t fit into a 7 day itinerary from Denver to Moab!

Here is how it shakes out.

Day 1: Denver

Fly into Denver and explore the capital of Colorado for the day. Make sure to visit Union Station, the Denver Capitol Building with its Mile High Step, the 16th Street Mall, and RiNo Arts District before heading out to the famous Red Rock Amphitheater for a hike amongst the red rocks. Then head back into downtown for dinner and drinks at one of its many breweries!

Where to Stay in Denver

Stay downtown at the Limelight Hotel, which is located right next to Union Station, the perfect location for exploring Denver. As an added bonus, you’ll have great mountain views from the Limelight. Check the current rate.

Check out all the best areas and hotels in Denver.

Day 2: Rocky Mountain National Park

Head up to Estes Park and Mountain Rocky Mountain National Park. Spend the day driving and hiking through the incredible scenery of Rocky Mountain National Park.

Where to Stay in Estes Park

Overnight at the haunted Stanley Hotel from the movie The Shining for a night you won’t forget or opt for Estes Park Resort or the Blue Door Inn for a more cost-effective hotel.

Day 3: Breckenridge, Vail, and Glenwood Springs

Meander your way through the resort towns of Breckenridge and Vail to Glenwood Springs where you can hike to Hanging Lake and then lounge in the hot springs.

Where to Stay in Glenwood Springs

Spend the night at the Glenwood Hot Springs Resort to have the largest hot springs pools in the world, right at your hotel! Check the current rate now.

Day 4: Aspen, Maroon Bells, Colorado Wine Country, and Colorado National Monument

Head to Aspen to explore and visit Maroon Bells. When you’re done there, head to Palisade for Colorado Wine Country to grab some lunch and a glass or two of wine before setting off to Colorado National Monument.

Finish the day off by driving into Moab at sunset to catch all of the red rocks illuminating from the sun. It’s a real feast for the eyes!

Where to Stay in Moab

As you’ll be in Moab for multiple nights, select the accommodation best for you and your budget:

Backpacker Budget Option: Lazy Lizard Hostel

Budget Hotels: Adventure Inn Moab | Rustic Inn

Mid-Range Hotels: MainStay Suites Moab | The Gonzo Inn

Luxury Hotels: Hoodoo Moab, Curio Collection by Hilton | Red Cliffs Lodge

Learn more about the best places to stay in Moab.

Day 5: Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands National Park and Dead Horse Point State Park

Head to the Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands National Park. If you’re feeling ambitious, try to get there for sunrise at Mesa Arch. Then spend the day exploring and hiking through the park before heading to Dead Horse Point State Park to explore a bit and catch sunset.

Once the sun has set, you can either wait for it to become night time and admire the dark night skies out in the desert or head back to Moab for a nice dinner.

Day 6: Arches National Park

Arches National Park is just outside of Moab, but it offers plenty to do to keep you busy. Work your way through the park checking out all of the fabulous stops and scenery. Try to catch sunset at Delicate Arch before returning into town.

Day 7: The Needles District of Canyonlands National Park

Make the drive to The Needles district of Canyonlands National Park and hike the stunning Chesler Park Loop Trail. This 5 hour hike will let you see some of the best scenery in the Needles District and perhaps best of all – there’s no crowds! A welcome break after visiting the busy Arches National Park!

FAQ: Planning a Denver to Moab Road Trip Itinerary

Get your most burning questions answered to make your 3 or 7 day Denver to Moab itinerary perfect.

How long should I plan for a Denver to Moab road trip?

That depends on how much time you have and how deeply you want to explore along the way. We’ve broken the road trip out to two flexible itineraries:

A 3-day itinerary for travelers who want to hit the highlights and enjoy a fast-paced adventure.
A 7-day itinerary for those who want to slow down and fully experience the scenic byways, small towns, and natural beauty between Colorado and Utah.

Both options include carefully selected stops that make the drive itself just as memorable as the destination.

What kinds of stops are included in the itinerary?

Expect a mix of epic scenery, mountain towns, cultural sites, and outdoor adventures. You’ll pass through iconic Colorado landscapes before crossing into Utah’s red rock country.

Some stops are quick scenic viewpoints, while others are worth lingering in for hikes, hot springs, or exploring local shops and restaurants. Each itinerary is designed to balance drive time with rewarding experiences.

Is there a map to help plan my route?

Yes! At the top of the post I’ve included a custom map featuring all the stops between Denver and Moab that I’ve mentioned in both itineraries. You can use it to get a visual overview of the route, see the spacing between destinations, and better plan your driving days. It’s especially helpful if you want to tweak the plan or add overnight stops.

Where can I find more details about the places mentioned?

While this post focuses specifically on the itinerary from Denver to Moab, we’ve created a separate Denver to Moab Road Trip Guide that dives deeper into each stop. That guide includes what to see and do at each location, along with practical tips like entrance fees or trail info.

Can I do this road trip year-round?

Most of the route is accessible year-round, but road conditions can vary dramatically depending on the season. Summer and fall are the most popular times to go. It’s when you’ll hit great weather and easy access to hiking and parks.

In winter or early spring, be prepared for snow in the mountain passes and possible closures, especially if you’re taking scenic byways.

Driving through Rocky Mountain National Park

Plan More of Your Trip to Colorado and Utah

I hope you love your itinerary rom Denver to Moab as much as I did. It delivers unforgettable views and adventure at every turn. The 3-day itinerary is perfect if you’re short on time, while the 7-day version gives you space to slow down and explore more places and more in depth.

Whichever Denver to Moab itinerary you choose, I hope you make the most of every mile. And if you want more details on each stop, be sure to check out our full Denver to Moab Road Trip Guide for local tips, trail ideas, and more.

Happy road tripping—and don’t forget to look up from the map once in a while. The views are even better in real life. Check out more of Colorado and Utah.

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3 Day & 7 Day Denver to Moab Road Trip Itineraries

Denver to Moab Itinerary Routes