Your Ultimate Guide for Traveling from Estes Park to Winter Park

Alright, so you’re planning a trip between two of Colorado’s most iconic mountain towns, Estes Park and Winter Park. This is a classic Colorado trip, but getting between them isn’t as simple as just hopping on a single highway. The route changes drastically depending on the time of year.

This guide is specifically for the Estes Park to Winter Park direction. We’ll lay out all your options so you can make the right call for your trip.

Route Quick Look

There are two main ways to do this drive, and one of them is only open in the summer.

• The Year-Round Route (Via Denver/I-70):

  • Distance: About 100 miles (161 kilometers)
  • Average Travel Time: 2.5 to 3.5 hours, heavily dependent on traffic on I-70.

• The Summer Route (Via Trail Ridge Road):

  • Distance: About 46 miles (74 kilometers)
  • Average Travel Time: 1.5 to 2 hours. This is a slow, scenic drive through Rocky Mountain National Park.
  • ⚠️ IMPORTANT: Trail Ridge Road is usually only open from late May to mid-October. It is CLOSED for the rest of the year. You will also need a timed entry permit to enter the park during peak season.

Travel Options: Estes Park to Winter Park

This is a tricky route without a car. There are no direct bus or shuttle services that connect these two towns. You’re either driving yourself or booking a private service.

The Best Option: Private Car Service (like Estes Direct)

This is hands-down the easiest, most reliable way to get from Estes Park to Winter Park. A private car service will handle the drive for you, navigating the mountain roads and city traffic so you don’t have to. It’s a direct, door-to-door service. Yes, it costs more, but for a group, it can be worth it to avoid the hassle, especially in winter.

Rental Car

If you’ve already got a rental car, this is your next best bet. You have the freedom to choose your route and make stops.

• In Winter (and most of Fall/Spring): You have no choice but to take the long way around. You’ll drive down US-36 E from Estes Park, connect to I-25 S through Denver, then head west on I-70 into the mountains. Finally, you’ll exit onto US-40 W at Empire and take that over Berthoud Pass to Winter Park. Be prepared for ski traffic on I-70, especially on weekend mornings.
• In Summer: If Trail Ridge Road is open, you can take the incredibly scenic drive through Rocky Mountain National Park. This route is an attraction in itself, climbing to over 12,000 feet in elevation. It’s not a shortcut, it’s a journey. Remember the park entrance fee!

The Cheapest Option: A Long Shuttle Day

This is technicly possible but it’s a real long day with multiple transfers. It’s not a great option, but it is the cheapest.

1. Take the Estes Park Shuttle from Estes Park to Denver International Airport (DEN).
2. At DEN, book a seat on a ski shuttle like Home James or Peak 1 Express that goes to Winter Park.

You have to line up the schedules perfectly, and you’ll spend a lot of time waiting around at the airport. Total travel time will likely be 5-7 hours.

What About Uber and Lyft?

Honestly, don’t count on it. It’s highly unlikely you will find a rideshare driver in Estes Park willing to take a 2.5+ hour drive to another mountain town. The driver would have to drive all the way back empty. While the app might show you a price, getting a driver to actually accept the trip is a whole different story.

The Main Airport Hub: Denver International Airport (DEN)

For both Estes Park and Winter Park, Denver International Airport (DEN) is the primary airport you’ll be flying into or out of.

• Airport Code: DEN
• A Bit of History: DEN is one of the newer major airports in the US, having opened in 1995. It’s famous for its unique tent-like roof made of fiberglass, designed to mimic the snow-covered peaks of the Rocky Mountains. It’s also the source of many local legends and conspiracy theories, which is kind of fun. It is a huge airport, so give yourself plenty of time when flying out.

Popular Reasons to Travel This Route

• The Colorado Mountain Tour: Many visitors want to experience both the national park wilderness of Estes Park and the world-class ski/bike resort vibes of Winter Park.
• Seasonal Switch-Up: Moving from a summer hiking trip in RMNP to a mountain biking adventure at Trestle Bike Park in Winter Park.
• Extended Family Trips: Splitting a week-long Colorado vacation between two premier, but very different, mountain destinations.

What’s Happening? Common Events

• In Estes Park: Famous for its wildlife and mountain culture events. The Elk Fest in autumn is a huge draw, as is the Longs Peak Scottish-Irish Highland Festival.
• In Winter Park: It’s all about the resort life. In winter, you’ll find ski and snowboard competitions. In the summer, the resort hosts major mountain biking events, music festivals like the Winter Park Jazz Festival, and various beer and wine fests.