Services
Insurance
Loans
Repairs
Advice
About

What’s the best route from Phoenix to Denver?

My wife and I are headed to a wedding in Denver and decided to drive to save some cash. What’s the best way there from the Phoenix area?

avatar
Jacqulyn Graber · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
In addition to saving some money on flights, you’ll also see some gorgeous sights on this drive! The best route from
Phoenix
to
Denver
will take you through either the Rockies or
New Mexico
Route—each taking just under 13.5 hours if you drive straight through.
Here are the general directions for each route:
  • The Rockies Route: Leave Phoenix via Interstate 17, then cut through the Coconino National Forest via Route 89. Take Route 160 East past the Grand Canyon, then Route 191 North past Canyonlands and Arches National Parks. Finally, use Interstate 70 East to cut through the Rockies on your way to Denver.
  • The New Mexico Route: Use the Red Rock Scenic Byway to leave Phoenix, and switch to Route 89A at Sedonia. Follow Route 89, which runs just east of Grand Canyon National Park, to Route 160. Then, to leave Arizona, use Routes 87, 260, 277, and 377. You’ll drive through the Tonto and Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. Hop onto Interstate 40, past Bluewater State Park, then Interstate 25, which you’ll take through Colorado Springs and to Denver.
You’ll want to choose your route based on what you want to see and whether you plan to stop to get in some hiking, camping, or other activities. Keep in mind that parts of these routes can get quite snowy if you’re traveling in the winter.
Once you pick the perfect route, download
Jerry
for assistance with picking the perfect
car insurance
. Jerry can provide you with competitive quotes in under a minute and makes swapping just as effortless. The average user saves more than $800 per year!
View full answer 
WHY YOU CAN TRUST JERRY
Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.

Join 4M+ members in lowering their car insurance

Easiest way to compare and buy car insurance

√
No long forms
√
No spam or unwanted phone calls
√
Quotes from top insurance companies
Find insurance savings