Quick Info
From Denver: 30 miles, 40 minutes (no traffic). Route: I-70 West, exit 240 or 241. From airport: 55 miles, 1 hour. No mountain passes: Easy drive, no high-altitude challenges.
Idaho Springs is the most accessible mountain town from Denver. It's a straight shot on I-70—no passes, no challenging roads, no altitude drama. In 40 minutes, you're in the mountains. It's often the first stop for Denver residents heading to the high country.
From Denver
Distance: 30 miles. Time: 40 minutes without traffic.
Route: I-70 West from Denver. Exit 240 (Colorado Blvd) or 241 (Idaho Springs) for downtown.
Traffic: Can slow significantly on ski weekends and holidays. Friday afternoons and Sunday returns are worst. Weekdays are usually clear.
From Denver Airport
Distance: 55 miles. Time: About 1 hour.
Route: Peña Boulevard to I-70 West, then same as above.
Rental cars: All major agencies at DEN. No special vehicle needed for Idaho Springs—it's all highway.
From Ski Resorts
From Keystone/Breckenridge: 45-60 minutes via I-70 East through Eisenhower Tunnel.
From Vail: 60-75 minutes via I-70 East.
Use case: Idaho Springs makes a good stop on the way back to Denver from skiing. Hit the hot springs before returning home.
Alternative Routes
US-6 Through Clear Creek Canyon
Scenic alternative joining I-70 at Idaho Springs. Winding canyon road—prettier but slower. Good for avoiding some I-70 traffic, especially eastbound.
Peak to Peak Highway
Connect to Idaho Springs via Highway 119 through Central City/Black Hawk. Scenic mountain route. Longer but avoids I-70 entirely.
Getting Around Town
Downtown is walkable. Park once and walk Miner Street.
Attractions need driving. Indian Hot Springs, Argo Mine, and Mount Evans trailhead all require driving from downtown.
No public transit. A car is necessary for Idaho Springs activities.
Tips
Avoid I-70 traffic times. Friday afternoon/evening westbound, Sunday afternoon/evening eastbound. Plan around these if possible.
Stop here before the tunnel. If you're just passing through to ski, Idaho Springs is the last easy stop before Eisenhower Tunnel.
Combine with Clear Creek Canyon. Take US-6 one direction for variety. It's a scenic canyon drive.
Gas is available. Multiple stations in town. Prices are moderate—not as cheap as Denver, not as expensive as Summit County.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the drive difficult?
No—it's all interstate highway. No mountain passes before Idaho Springs. Standard driving for any vehicle.
How bad is I-70 traffic?
Can be severe on ski weekends. Friday afternoons westbound and Sunday afternoons eastbound are worst. Check conditions before traveling.
Do I need AWD or 4WD?
Not to reach Idaho Springs on I-70. Mount Evans Scenic Byway is fine in any vehicle when open. Oh My God Road benefits from higher clearance.
Is there parking?
Yes, free street parking downtown. Attractions have their own parking.
Can I take a bus?
Limited options. Bustang runs some I-70 service but isn't convenient for Idaho Springs specifically. Car is recommended.