Tips for an Unforgettable Road Trip in Colorado
Unforgettable Road Trip in Colorado
Hoping for an unforgettable road trip in Colorado? Taking a road trip in Colorado is an ideal way to experience the scenic beauty of this breathtaking state and have some fun along the way. From dramatic mountain passes, lush forests, and wide open meadows to charming small towns brimming with a vibrant history and culture, making your way through Colorado's diverse landscapes will provide an unforgettable road trip filled with memories that last a lifetime. Whether navigating winding roads teeming with wildlife or following major highways adorned with colorful wildflowers, you will discover something new and beautiful around every curve. To help you, we'll provide several tips to make your road trip one you'll remember forever. So, continue reading to prepare for an amazing adventure.
6 Tips for an Unforgettable Road Trip
Your drive across Colorado should be well-planned and well-prepared. To make your trip successful and fun, consider these six tips below:1. Invest in the Right Vehicle to Match Your Adventure
A reliable vehicle is necessary for any road journey, but it's crucial if you're traveling off the beaten track. Invest in a vehicle with an excellent performance history and can easily manage the terrain in Colorado.
Consider buying the Subaru Forester, for instance. The Forester is a roomy, well-designed vehicle that can handle rugged Colorado-type driving conditions. Subarus have excellent handling qualities, are comfortable on long rides, and includes an excellent safety package.
Get the best quote for the right vehicle from a reliable dealer. Subaru is “Colorado’s Car” for good reason. You must have a vehicle that can easily handle the unpredictable road conditions in Colorado. Colorado is not a place to take unnecessary risks that can be avoided with a well-designed vehicle.
2. Avoid Stress, Increase Your Options by Packing Smart
Having everything you need for your journey is important, so make sure to pack smart. Start by packing extra water, snacks, and an emergency roadside kit.
Bring warm clothing, a strong tent, sleeping bags, and blankets. Having basic camping equipment opens up the possibility of camping along the way. There are many places to car camp that are gorgeous and worth the layover. Colorado’s State Parks are ideal for car camping as these parks have a variety of amenities. However, there are plenty of National Forests and BLM options for camping as well.
Review this roadside survival kit for a complete checklist of first aid and survival equipment you might need if stranded roadside in Colorado. Having a survival kit in place will provide confidence and alleviate stress while traveling through Colorado’s mountain roads.
3. Map Out Your Route for the Best Experience
Mapping out your route is essential to get the most out of your Colorado road trip. Even if you allow yourself to stray from your original route, which can be fun and adventurous, having a planned route will give you targets and places to return to.
Decide which places you want to visit and research nearby attractions ahead of time. Discover gorgeous hiking paths, interesting historical sites, and charming mountain communities.
Then, use a GPS or phone mapping app to create an efficient plan that takes advantage of the most beautiful routes and avoids congested highways. Be sure to plan for rest stops along the way so that you can pull over and explore without feeling rushed.
4. Set Aside Time for Fun Activities
The best part of any road trip is setting aside time to enjoy the journey. Make sure you take some time off driving to indulge in different activities that come with exploring new places. Visit small towns, explore local nature trails for wildlife spotting, and spend some days taking part in interesting outdoor adventures such as scenic train rides, whitewater rafting, or attending a local music festival.
Keep your phone camera or video in ready mode, especially while engaging in sightseeing activities. It’s easy to get caught up in the awe of Colorado and forget to capture some of the amazing scenery to bring home with you.
5. Be Vigilant About Safety Measures
Before heading out, check Colorado’s weather and road conditions, especially if you are going over any of the many major passes. Weather can change rapidly at high elevations, quickly turning a good time into bad.
Check the Colorado forest fire map, as there is always some variety of small to large forest fires. Avoiding forest fires is necessary:
- Don’t get caught in a forest fire. They can be deadly.
- Avoid fire smoke for the best lung health.
- Avoid smoke for best visibility.
- Stay out of the way of emergency vehicle traffic.
Drive cautiously in remote areas and on winding roads. Anticipate that there could be wildlife crossing just around the corner, a herd of sheep, rocks, boulders, or even avalanche debris that has tumbled down.
Check the cDOT webcams of the major passes in Colorado is especially important. If there are traffic problems over these passes, pile-ups, or closures, it’s best not to even attempt the trip. Getting caught in dangerous situations is not the kind of unforgettable road trip you want to have.
Observe Basic Safety
Always wear seatbelts, have children in the backseat with their own safety belts fastened, and observe any posted speed limits. Mountain driving is dangerous. There is no need to take risks.
Make sure to take regular breaks for rest and refreshment on long drives. Identify rest stops beforehand, as many highways in Colorado have long stretches without ideal places to pull over. This will help prevent driver fatigue and make the journey more enjoyable.
6. Bring Plenty of Music and Podcasts for Entertainment
No road trip is complete without some great music and podcasts. To make your Colorado journey enjoyable, having an extensive playlist or podcast lineup ready before you depart is best.
Bring lively songs for long rides and soothing ones for relaxing between places. Download a few episodes of your favorite podcasts to save them for when the signal drops. This will help keep you entertained during those long stretches of roads with nothing but vast scenery around you.
