Dallas to Denver to Vail

The best way to get to Denver takes you nowhere near Pueblo.

 

If they stick to the PC Miler practical route they will be in Vail in 974 miles and 13.25 hours. That is straight up 35 to 70 then head west! The "shortest" route will take then through Pueblo. It's 865 miles and 17.43 hours. These are set at the speed limits for the roads. The shortest is not always the best route to take as it's mostly 2 and 4 lane highways and towns and red lights and speed traps and on and on! That route is Hwy.287 to Hwy to hwy 50 then to Hwy 9 IMHO I'd take the interstate and stay at a set speed until you hit Co and start the up hill climb into Denver. But I'd do the whole trip in a day and get one of the other guys to drive in the OK and KS flat land side so they can get a little experience in driving which can be a good than emergency ever comes up! Everyone should know how to drive the van with a trailer! With that weight I would not worry so much about someone with no trailer experience driving the van unless a tornado or 35mph winds start up.There is a break down of the route attached below. Just match it to your map! Have fun!

 

I've done Denver to Dallas via 287 and 35/70. 287 is shorter, quicker, and cheaper. 35/70 has tolls, slower speeds, and slower traffic. I've done Denver to Dallas in the semi via 287 in 11.75 hrs, and Arlington to denver via 287 in my pickup in 9 hrs, including two gas stops and a lunch stop.

According to my Streets and trips, it shows 35/70 is quicker, but it doesn't show the tolls, the slower speeds in KS, the heavier traffic. I've got some friends who bought a car in Dallas, they flew down from SLC, picked up the car and drove back via my route. They made if from Dallas to Centennial, Colo. (outside Denver) in 11 hrs, including gas and meal stops via 287.

 

I go 287 out of Dallas than catch the 87 at Dumas to the 25 about 3 times a month. Very good roads mostly 4 lane and very light traffic. I go this way so I can stop at my kids house just north of Colorado springs plus I hate how ruff the 287 has gotten north of Dumas and OK. There is also construction on the 40/287 just past Wild Horse in Co that has a pilot car 24/7 and if you hit that wrong could be waiting almost a hour for it to come back. The 50 into Pueblo takes way to long cause all the stop and go thru all the little towns and is IIRC 30 miles farther than the way I go.

 

IMHO the BEST way takes you right thru Pueblo