Best Times to Avoid Surge Pricing in Denver 2026

Nothing ruins a night out like opening your rideshare app and seeing a $47 fare for a 3-mile trip. I've been driving Uber and Lyft in Denver for 7 years, and I've learned exactly when surge pricing hits hardest.

Here's how to time your rides to pay normal prices instead of surge prices.

Hour-by-Hour Pricing Guide

Weekday Pricing in Denver

Weekend Pricing (Friday & Saturday)

Events That Cause Massive Surge

Denver has specific events that cause prices to skyrocket. If you're attending any of these, plan your exit strategy in advance.

Event/Venue	Surge Level	When to Book
Red Rocks Concerts	2-4x normal	Before show ends OR wait 45+ min after
Broncos Games	2-3x normal	Leave early (Q3) or wait 30 min
Ball Arena (Nuggets/Avalanche)	1.5-2.5x normal	Wait 20-30 min after game ends
LoDo Bar Closing (2am)	2-4x normal	Leave by 1:30am or wait until 2:45am
New Year's Eve	3-5x normal	Book in advance if possible
Snowstorms	2-3x normal	Wait it out if not urgent

Strategies to Beat Surge Pricing

1. Check Both Apps

Uber and Lyft don't surge at the same time. One might be 2x while the other is normal. Takes 30 seconds to compare - can save you $20+.

2. Walk a Block or Two

Surge pricing is hyper-local. If you're right outside a venue or bar, walk a few blocks away from the crowd. Prices can drop significantly just by changing your pickup location.

3. Wait 15-20 Minutes

Surge pricing is designed to attract more drivers. Once drivers flood an area, prices drop. If you're not in a rush, waiting a few minutes can save serious money.

4. Use Scheduled Rides

Both apps let you schedule rides in advance. While this doesn't guarantee no surge, it can lock in a reasonable price before demand spikes.

5. Try Lyft's Price Lock

For $2.99/month, Lyft lets you lock in a price for your regular route. You'll always pay your locked price or less.

6. Use Public Transit for Part of Your Trip

From Red Rocks, take the free shuttle to the RTD station. From DIA, take the A-Line to Union Station ($10.50) then Uber the last mile. Hybrid trips save money.

Lyft's Happy Hour Discounts

Lyft offers automatic "Happy Hour" discounts during low-demand periods. You don't need to do anything - if it's a slow time, the app will show a discounted price.

Look for the Happy Hour notification in the Lyft app, usually appearing during:

• Mid-morning on weekdays (10am-12pm)
• Early afternoon (1pm-3pm)
• Sunday mornings

Airport Surge Patterns

DIA has its own surge patterns separate from downtown:

• Cheapest times: Mid-morning (9am-11am), early afternoon (1pm-4pm)
• Surge times: Friday evening arrivals, Sunday evening returns, holidays
• Pro tip: The A-Line train runs every 15 minutes and costs $10.50. During surge, it's often faster AND cheaper than rideshare.

For complete airport pickup info, see our Denver Airport rideshare guide.

Why Does Surge Pricing Exist?

As a driver, I can tell you surge pricing actually works. When I see 2x surge in an area, I drive there. More drivers go to high-demand areas, which means more rides get fulfilled.

Without surge pricing, you'd just have longer wait times instead of higher prices. During peak demand, you might wait 30+ minutes for any car.

It's frustrating, but it's the tradeoff for a system that usually gets you a ride in minutes.

Quick Reference Summary

For more tips on getting the best rideshare prices, check out our Uber vs Lyft price comparison and our complete Denver rideshare guide.