How to Travel from Denver to Grand Junction, Colorado

Plan a trip to Grand Junction from Denver to relax in Colorado’s wine country with a side of outdoor adventure. Here you can choose from rock climbing, camping, hiking, mountain biking and more! But first, you need to know what options are available to get from Denver to Grand Junction to start your trip off without a hitch!

Let’s take a look at the four best options to travel from Denver to Grand Junction so you can make the right decision for your trip.

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Traveling from Denver to Grand Junction, CO

If you’re wondering how far it is from Denver to Grand Junction, it’s only about 245 miles (392 kilometers) – easy to travel in one day. You’ll be heading from central Colorado where Denver is located to Grand Junction on the western side of Colorado. They are connected by i70.

Both of these beautiful cities offer ample ways to explore the great outdoors that Colorado is so famous for, but if you’re planning to do both in one trip, you need to determine how to travel between them.

The four key transportation methods to choose from between Denver and Grand Junction are driving, flying, taking the train, or taking the bus. Find out more about each below.

How far is it from Denver to Grand Junction, CO?
Only 245 miles or 392 kilometers!

Denver skyline — Downtown Denver, Colorado

Drive from Denver to Grand Junction

The best way to get from Denver to Grand Junction is to drive so that you can take in all of the stunning scenery in-between the cities. This simple drive should take just 4 hours going straight across on i70. However, you may want to factor in a few stops to see some of the best of Colorado along the way.

If you have your own vehicle, this is also a very efficient way to travel between Denver and Grand Junction. If you need to rent a vehicle, you can check rental costs to determine if this is the right route for you.

Driving Denver to Grand Junction will take you through world-class ski villages Breckenridge and Vail, along with the beautiful Glenwood Springs and Palisade, Colorado, which is well known for its wine. If you have more than 4 hours, consider making a true road trip out of it!

Best for: Sightseeing
Time: 4 hours
Cost: Less than 1 tank of gas + potential car rental
How to Book: Search car rentals on DiscoverCars.com

Book a rental car to do the Denver to Grand Junction drive!

Need tips on making it an epic road trip?
Look no further with this Road Trip Packing List!

Stop and see the Breckenridge Troll along the way!

Fly from Denver to Grand Junction

The fastest way to get from Denver to Grand Junction is to fly. There are direct flights from Denver to Grand Junction daily, and the time in the air comes in at just under 1 hour making it the fastest way to get from point to point.

From downtown Denver, you can easily take the train from Union Station to the Denver airport (DEN) to fly to Grand Junction. Upon arrival at Grand Junction airport (GJT), it is just a few minutes outside of downtown and simple to get into town via taxi or renting a car.

The downside of taking a flight from Denver to Grand Junction is that you will miss all of the beautiful sights in-between the cities, but if time is of the essence, book a flight!

Best for: Fast travel
Time: 1 hour flight time
Cost: $100 – 500
How to Book: Search flights on Expedia from DEN to GJT.
Departure Address: Denver International Airport – Denver, CO 80249
Arrival Address: Grand Junction Regional Airport – 2828 Walker Field Dr, Grand Junction, CO 81506

Search now for flights Denver to Grand Junction.

Colorado National Monument on a sunny day — Don’t miss the Colorado National Monument in Grand Junction!

Train from Denver to Grand Junction

The most stress-free way to get from Denver to Grand Junction is to hop on the train at Denver’s Union Station. The Amtrak California Zephyr train regularly makes this journey, and it takes about 8 hours.

In addition to not having to keep your eyes on the road, you’ll be able to enjoy the scenery as you meander across the beautiful state of Colorado. You’ll also have amenities in the train, like a lounge and dining car, making it a very pleasant journey to Grand Junction from Denver.

To get the best rate on your train from Denver to Grand Junction, consider traveling mid-week rather than Fridays and weekends.

Best for: Stress-free travel
Time: 8 hours
Cost: $40 – 400
How to Book: Search trains on Amtrak.
Departure Address: Denver Union Station – 1701 Wynkoop St., Denver, CO 80202
Arrival Address: Grand Junction Train Station – 339 S. 1st St., Grand Junction, CO 81501

Search Amtrak for Denver to Grand Junction.

Bus from Denver to Grand Junction

The cheapest way to get from Denver to Grand Junction is to take the bus. It will take between 5 – 6 hours and typically cost between $15 – 50. You can choose from the trusty Greyhound buses or opt for the Colorado specialty with Bustang. Either option will get you to Grand Junction from Denver almost hassle free!

Best for: Cheap travel
Time: 5 – 6 hours
Cost: $15 – 50
How to Book: Search buses on Bustang and Greyhound USA.
Greyhound Departure Address: Denver Greyhound Bus Station – 1701 Wynkoop St., Denver, CO 80202
Greyhound Arrival Address: Grand Junction Greyhound Bus Stop – 745 Horizon Dr, Grand Junction, CO 81506
Bustang Departure Address: Bustang in Union Station at Gate B4 – 1701 Wynkoop St., Denver, CO 80202
Bustang Arrival Address: Grand Valley Downtown Transfer Station – 525 South 6^th Street, Grand Junction, CO 81501 (There are other stops in Grand Junction.)

Crawford Hotel in Denver, Colorado — Most journeys from Denver to Grand Junction will start right here at Denver’s Union Station.

Plan Your Trip to Grand Junction from Denver

Now that you have all of the transportation options from Denver to Grand Junction, it’s up to you to decide what’s right for your journey. If you have flexibility, I highly recommend doing the Denver to Grand Junction drive. It’s truly incredible!

Continue planning your trip from Denver to Grand Junction by learning what to do in the area and booking your hotel in Denver, rental car, and hotel in Grand Junction. Here are some additional helpful posts to help you plan your adventures in Colorado: