Denver to Seattle Road Trip

Key Trip Details

Itinerary

Denver, Colorado
Grand Junction, Colorado
Salt Lake City, Utah
Boise, Idaho
Kennewick, Washington
Seattle, Washington

Pro Tip: Don’t drive for more than 8 hours consecutively. Falling asleep behind the wheel is incredibly dangerous, both for you and other drivers. If you can’t take a break for whatever reason, split up the driving with someone else.

Start in Denver, Colorado

Where to stay in Denver

The Queen Anne Bed & Breakfast
: Reservations fill up quickly in this delightful, three-star B&B in Downtown Denver. With rave reviews, this quaint spot has great rooms and a top-flight breakfast menu. Cost per night: From $150
The Four Seasons Denver
: Located in Downtown Denver, the Four Seasons Denver is a five-star hotel with world-class amenities and services. It has a five-star price tag, but this is arguably the finest upscale hotel in the Mile High City. Cost per night: From $650

Where to eat in Denver

Leven Deli
($$): Situated in the heart of Denver’s museum district, Leven Deli is a great choice for breakfast or lunch. Their pastrami is on par with what you might find in Manhattan, and it specializes in meals you can easily carry around town to take on an urban picnic.
Root Down
($$$): Root Down’s mid-twentieth century decor makes for a unique environment while you enjoy their fresh, organically produced Americana-adjacent plates. With options for carnivores and vegetarians alike, Root Down is a great choice for brunch, dinner, or cocktails.
Mizuna
($$$$): Looking for a more traditional sit-down in a beautiful, upscale eatery? Mizuna consistently ranks amongst the finest restaurants in America, and with good reason. They infuse their creative menu with French cooking traditions to create some of the best food you’ll find anywhere. A three-course meal costs $95 per seat, while the chef’s tasting menu will run you $135 per seat. Cocktails and wine are sold separately.

What to do in Denver

The Denver Zoo
($$): Denver’s world-class zoo is home to lions, rhinos, tigers, hippos, komodo dragons, grizzly bears, gorillas, and so much more. It’s laid out nicely, so it makes for a nice afternoon walk on a gorgeous Denver afternoon. 
Elitch Gardens Amusement Park
($$$): Elitch Gardens is perhaps the best known of Denver’s several amusement parks. You’ll find roller coasters, water rides, kids’ rides, and so much more. It's difficult to run out of things to do here. But plan accordingly—Elitch Gardens is only open May thru October. 
Visit the Continental Divide
: Every hiker should include the Continental Divide on their bucket list. Colorado is home to 740 of the 3,100 total miles of the Continental Divide, some of which you can experience right here in Denver.

Denver to Grand Junction, Colorado

Pro Tip: This highway is beautiful, but it’s also stressful for your car. Be sure to check your brakes before heading onto I-70, avoid speeding on downhill sections, and keep an eye out for runaway tractor-trailers.

Where to stay in Grand Junction

Grand Vista Hotel
: This incredibly affordable, three-star hotel might look a little dated, but the rooms inside are comfy, clean, and modern. The Grand Vista is conveniently located by the airport with easy access to area attractions. Cost per night: From $67
Hotel Maverick
: Located near the campus of Colorado Mesa University, Hotel Maverick is an upscale, modern option found right in the heart of the city. Cost per night: From $130

Where to eat in Grand Junction

Pufferbelly Station
($): Pufferbelly’s cinnamon rolls are the stuff of legend, making Pufferbelly Station a delicious option for breakfast or lunch.
Bin 707 Foodbar
($$): This chic, trendy restaurant offers upscale new American, farm-to-table dining at surprisingly affordable prices. They have a lengthy cocktail and wine menu, too.
Le Rouge Restaurant
($$$): A distinct fusion of French and American dishes makes Le Rouge a top choice for dinner in Grand Junction. Their entrees are easily some of the best you’ll find in western Colorado.

What to do in Grand Junction

The Colorado National Monument
: With jaw-dropping canyon views, the Colorado National Monument cannot be missed. Entry costs $25 per car, $20 per motorcycle, or $15 per individual when hiking or arriving on a bicycle. It’s also open for camping. 
McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area
: This is a wonderful area for seeing natural rock arches—the second largest collection anywhere in the United States. 
Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area
: Last but not least, the Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area is another incredible canyon to visit. Operated by the Bureau of Land Management, you’ll likely encounter wildlife here, so please be careful and observe BLM rules while visiting!

Grand Junction to Salt Lake City, Utah

Where to stay in Salt Lake City

The Salt Lake Plaza Hotel
: The Salt Lake Plaza Hotel is a three-star hotel with four-star accommodations, located smack dab in the heart of Salt Lake City. With clean, comfy rooms, great prices, and a perfect location, the Plaza Hotel is a great place for the family to stay during your SLC visit. Cost per night: from $100 
The Grand America Hotel
: This beautiful five-star hotel boasts picturesque views from the stately rooms. It also has excellent dining and a world-class spa. Cost per night: From $254

Where to eat in Salt Lake City

The Park Cafe
($): Every town needs a classic diner, and the Park Cafe provides SLC with exactly that. The Park Cafe is the perfect restaurant for breakfast and brunch, with an affordable menu of delicious morning staples.
The Red Iguana
($$): With two locations around Salt Lake City, the Red Iguana offers authentic, traditional Mexican food like no other place in town. Order the fajitas for a delicious meal. 
Table X
($$): The new American trend has certainly made its way into Salt Lake City in grand fashion. Table X infuses local culture and flair into a refreshingly modern menu, all in a comfortable, modern dining space.

What to do in Salt Lake City

Explore the Great Salt Lake: This is this city’s biggest draw. Find a beach and go for a swim, or locate a helicopter or balloon tour and see the water from above. These tours fluctuate in price depending on fuel costs, but try calling
Geo Heli
to ask about availability and current prices.

Hogle Zoo
: As another top-notch zoo on our list, the Hogle Zoo offers a unique exploration through the animal kingdom. Admission is $16 for children ages 3 to 12, and $20 for everyone 13 and up. Kids under 3 enter free.
Loveland Living Planet Aquarium
: This aquarium features an impressive catalog of animals, exciting live and interactive events, and even an aquatic-themed yoga class in which sharks try not to judge your poses. Entry is $22 per adult, $19 per teen, and $17 per child, with senior, military, and student discounts.

Pro Tip: Be sure to go shopping at

Thanksgiving Point

while visiting Salt Lake City. This is a cool indoor-outdoor market space with lots to see and do.

Salt Lake City to Boise, Idaho

Where to stay in Boise

The Grove Hotel
: A stunning, four-diamond hotel, the Grove offers chic, gorgeous, and comfortable rooms, and it has, arguably, the best hotel restaurant on the Denver to Seattle road trip. Cost per night: From $130
The Riverside Hotel
: Sometimes the simplest hotels are the best, and the Riverside Hotel showcases this concept brilliantly. This is a world-class hotel with spacious, comfortable rooms and excellent amenities, and it might be the best choice for families. Cost per night: From $150
Hotel 43
: Hotel 43 is a four-star hotel that packs vintage vibes and modern comfort into a sophisticated overnight experience. We highly recommend checking it out. Cost per night: from $160

Where to eat in Boise

Goldy’s Breakfast Bistro
($$): With an impeccable menu of breakfast and brunch choices, Goldy’s is the perfect place to fill up before you hit the road. Try the malted waffle—it’s not as weird as it sounds!
Boise Fry Company
($$): If there are better burgers anywhere along this Denver to Seattle road trip route, we don’t know where they are. Boise Fry Company uses locally-sourced, farm-to-table ingredients in all six of their locations around Boise. They have fantastic vegan and beef options, but we can’t describe how good their bison burgers are without using “OMG” in the sentence.

What to do in Boise

Aquarium Boise
: Boise’s aquarium is open year-round, featuring marine life, birds, reptiles, and more. It’s affordable, too—adult admission is just $12, kids ages 7 to 11 are $9, and kids ages 3 to 6 are $7. Kids under three are free.
Old Idaho Penitentiary
: This nifty museum may be small, but it boasts a big dose of local, regional, and national history. Built in the 1870s, this defunct prison is definitely worth a visit. Children ages 6 to 12 gain admission for $3, while everyone 13+ gets in for $6. Seniors get a $2 discount, too. There are guided tours, as well, for an additional $2 per person.
Freak Alley
: This free, open-air gallery features impressive graffiti art painted onto buildings in alleyways. You shouldn’t visit Boise without going on a free walking tour through the space.

Boise to Kennewick, Washington

Where to stay in Kennewick

The Clover Island Inn
: This nicely-equipped hotel is built on an island in the center of the Columbia River. The Clover Island Inn has nice rooms, an onsite grill, and plenty of amenities for those traveling solo or with their families. Cost per night: From $199
The Red Lion Inn
: The Red Lion keeps things simple with clean, modern, affordable rooms in an easily-accessible location in the heart of the town. Cost per night: From $133

Where to eat in Kennewick

Hops n Drops
($$): This small chain has locations in Washington, Oregon, and Colorado. It offers a vegetarian-friendly menu and plenty of options for adults and kids alike. This is a great choice for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Hubby’s Pizza
($$): Looking for the best pizza in Kennewick? Some locals will tell you it can only be found at Hubby’s. Hubby’s dishes up reasonably priced thin-crust pizza, sandwiches, and salads. Kids can enjoy the playground, and kids and adults will love their fun arcade, too.

What to do in Kennewick

The Gesa Carousel of Dreams
: Hardcore carousel aficionados probably think of New York as the carousel state, especially if they’ve been to Binghamton and Buffalo. But the Gesa Carousel of Dreams gives those eastern carousels a circular run for their money. Restored in 2002, this carousel is a must-see attraction for families. Rides cost $3, and it’s worth every cent!
The Hanford Reach
: Looking for some outdoor fun? The Hanford Reach is a beautiful “involuntary park” on the outskirts of Kennewick, where nature and wildlife are free to reclaim the land. Once a part of the Manhattan Project, the few buildings that exist here used to house atomic weapons, but that ended the Second World War.

Pro Tip: The Hanford Reach doesn’t have any amenities, like bathrooms or places to eat. Please don’t feed or harass the wildlife here!

Kennewick to Seattle, Washington

Pro Tips:  Fans of ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy will be upset to learn most of the show isn’t really shot in Seattle. But with some internet sleuthing, you can find some locations where outdoor scenes were shot.

Where to stay in Seattle

The Belltown Inn
: Cheap, clean, and centrally-located, with rave reviews—that sums up the Belltown Inn. This is a highly affordable hotel with better-than-you’d-expect amenities within walking distance of the Space Needle, the Seattle Art Museum, and Pier 66. If you can book a room here, you won’t be upset with your stay. Cost per night: From $94
Hotel Sorrento
: Built in 1909, Hotel Sorrento is a Seattle landmark with beautifully decorated rooms, featuring turn-of-the-century furnishings. This regal hotel is surprisingly affordable and earns rave reviews for its clean, sophisticated quality. Cost per night: From $125
The Edgewater Inn
: (from $170) From the Beatles to Led Zeppelin to Foo Fighters, the Edgewater Inn has provided rest to countless famous musicians who toured through Seattle. Led Zeppelin stayed here on every one of their North American tours, and today it’s a mecca for “Zep Heads.” Cost per night: from $170
Four Seasons Seattle
: The Four Seasons Seattle is one of the well-known hotelier’s finer offerings. Four Seasons Seattle is located just a short walk from the waterfront, and it is arguably the nicest hotel in all of Seattle. If you’re willing to pay a premium for your stay, the Four Seasons Seattle won’t disappoint. Cost per night: From $500

Where to eat in Seattle

Lowell’s
($$): Since 1957, Lowell’s has been serving up breakfast and lunch, featuring ingredients sourced from Seattle’s famed Pike Place. This is a great diner for the whole family, with some of the best lox you’ll ever spread onto a bagel.
Lecosho
($$): This stylish eatery features a blend of American and European meals—perfect for lunch or dinner. Peruse their affordable menu in their elegant, wood-trimmed dining area that’s welcoming to adults and kids alike.
The Pink Door
($$$): Another one of Seattle’s more famous eateries, the Pink Door isn’t just known for its excellent Italian-American food, but it’s famous for its entertainment, as well. Visitors at the Pink Door are treated to live music, cabaret performances, tarot card reading, and trapeze acts. The Pink Door isn’t especially family-friendly—it might be a little too loud for younger kids.
AQUA by El Gaucho
($$$$): El Gaucho is a world-renowned restaurant. AQUA was founded years later and brings El Gaucho’s world-class food and service to Seattle’s Pier 70. With what many consider to be the best seafood in Seattle, AQUA is a great option for those looking for an upscale, refined dining experience overlooking the Puget Sound.

What to do in Seattle

The Space Needle
: We hope you’re not afraid of heights. Standing at 605 feet tall, the Space Needle is one of the most famous buildings on Earth, and it features glass floor views that will challenge the most surefooted among us. General admission costs $26 for children 5 to 12, $35 per adult, and $30 per senior.
The Seattle Art Museum
: The Seattle Art Museum oozes culture—with local, national, and international works on display, as well as temporary installations that change regularly. Children 14 and under are free, teens ages 15 to 18 are $12.99 each, and adults are $19.99 per general admission. There are discounts for seniors, students, and military members, as well.
The Museum of Flight
: Kids and adults with aircraft obsessions will lose themselves in this brilliant museum that takes you on a tour through the history of manned flight. Tickets for adults are $25 each, and children ages 5 to 17 are $17 each, with discounts for seniors.
The Gum Wall
: Okay, this one is a little…different. One of Seattle’s strangest attractions, the iconic Gum Wall isn’t something germaphobes will want to visit—it’s an alleyway where the walls, and even the windows, are plastered in chewing gum. It’s cooler than it sounds, and it’s worth stopping at on your way to other attractions. Just don’t lean on anything.

The Alternative I-90/ I-25 Route Back to Denver

Why you need good roadside assistance

“I heard about

Jerry

through a podcast and decided to try it out. My 2008 Range Rover Sport was costing me $168/month before Jerry found me the exact same coverage for $84/month under Plymouth Rock. I’ll definitely keep shopping for insurance with Jerry.” —Eileen P.