KidPaths

Denver to Vail Drive With Kids

Leave room for traffic and weather, and plan a break before everyone gets tired. The stops below give you a few good places to stretch.

The drive

Distance
119 miles from Denver International Airport
Typical drive time
About a 2 hour drive

Measured from Denver International Airport, 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.

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.

  1. Frisco Historic Park & Museum

    Frisco, CO

    A free downtown park of original historic buildings, including a schoolhouse museum.

    Official site

  2. Vail Pass Rest Area

    Vail Pass, CO

    A rest area on I-70 about 15 miles east of Vail Village, with accessible restrooms and educational exhibits.

    Official site

  3. Betty Ford Alpine Gardens

    Vail, CO

    An alpine botanical garden in Ford Park, east of Vail Village, with no required admission fee.

    Official site

  4. Colorado Snowsports Museum

    Vail, CO

    A museum in Vail that tells the story of skiing and snowboarding in Colorado.

    Official site

Need more ideas before you leave? Browse things to do with kids in Denver or plan a different route.

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.

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.
  • Count on the Vail Pass Rest Area for restrooms between Frisco and Vail.
  • Keep warm layers within reach in the car.

Checked against: Vail: getting here, Visit Vail Valley: getting here, CDOT: Traction Law (checked )

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Plan the Denver to Vail family drive with a Frisco break, the Vail Pass rest area, free alpine gardens and winter road advice.

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