Denver to Moab Road Trip With Kids
Plan a real break before the final stretch to Moab. Colorado National Monument is worth a look as a sightseeing stop.
The drive
- Distance
- 355 miles
- Typical drive time
- Roughly five and a half hours west on I-70
Measured from Denver, as stated by the official source listed at the bottom of this page. Traffic, weather and stops with kids add time, so plan for a longer day than the map shows.
1 city near the direct line
Denver to Moab · ~257 miles straight-line. These are nearby city ideas, not driving directions or measured detours. Check your road route before choosing a stop.
Your route is ready. Want the stop checklist to take with you?
One page on when to stop, how to pick an indoor backup for rain and how to add up the family cost of each stop. We email it now, then The Weekend Scout once a week with one weekend outing idea. Optional, and free.
Build the actual day
Free road-trip stop checklist
Stop before everyone runs out of patience: how to plan a real break to burn energy, pick an indoor backup in case it rains, and add up the family total before you pay. One page, emailed now. Then The Weekend Scout once a week: one family outing idea for the weekend. Free. Unsubscribe from any email.
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Kid-friendly stops on the way
Each stop was checked on its own official site. Open it before you go for current hours, prices and any closures.
Colorado National Monument
Fruita, CO
A national monument of canyon country where the Canyon Rim Trail starts at the Saddlehorn Visitor Center.
Official siteArches National Park Visitor Center
Moab, UT
The park's one visitor center, just inside the entrance five miles north of Moab.
Official siteDead Horse Point State Park
Moab, UT
A Utah state park near Moab that is a designated International Dark Sky Park.
Official site
Three things to plan before you leave
- Colorado's Traction Law applies on I-70 from Morrison to Dotsero every year from September 1 through May 31, and any time conditions require, so check your tires before you leave.
- Plan a fuel stop in Grand Junction or Fruita.
- Carry more water than you think you need for desert stops.
Checked against: Visit Utah: Denver to Moab, CDOT: Traction Law (checked )
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Plan the Denver to Moab family road trip with a Colorado National Monument stop, Arches and Dead Horse Point, plus desert driving tips.
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