Denver to Twin Lakes and Leadville: Routes, Drive Times, Winter Driving and Stops

The fastest way from Denver to Leadville is I-70 west to Copper Mountain (exit 195), then Highway 91 south over Fremont Pass: about 100 miles from downtown Denver, roughly 2 to 2.5 hours in good conditions. For Twin Lakes, keep going about 15 miles south of Leadville on US 24 and turn west on Highway 82, which adds roughly 30 minutes. From Denver International Airport, add about 25 miles and 30 to 45 minutes. In winter, check COtrip.org first and be ready for Colorado's I-70 Traction Law.

Quick answer: Denver to Leadville and Twin Lakes

• Downtown Denver to Leadville: about 100 miles, roughly 2 to 2.5 hours via I-70 and Highway 91.
• Denver International Airport to Leadville: about 120 to 125 miles, roughly 2.5 to 3 hours.
• Downtown Denver to Twin Lakes: about 120 miles, roughly 2.5 to 3 hours.
• DIA to Twin Lakes: about 145 miles, roughly 3 to 3.5 hours.
• Colorado Springs to Leadville: about 130 miles via US 24 west through Woodland Park.
• Winter rule: the Traction Law is in effect on I-70 between Dotsero and Morrison from September 1 through May 31.

Drive times are our rough estimates for dry roads and light traffic. Weekend ski and summer traffic on I-70, construction and snow can add an hour or more.

Route 1: I-70 and Fremont Pass (the usual way)

This is the route Leadville's visitor information describes and the one most mapping apps choose:

1. From Denver or DIA, take I-70 west through the Eisenhower Tunnel and past Frisco.
2. Exit at Copper Mountain Resort (exit 195) onto Highway 91.
3. Drive about 24 miles south over Fremont Pass to Leadville.
4. For Twin Lakes, continue south on US 24 for about 15 miles, then turn west on Highway 82 to the village.

Fremont Pass crosses the Continental Divide at 11,318 feet past the Climax mine, and the road is open year-round. It is a wide, well-traveled mountain highway, but it gets snow and wind, so drive it with winter caution from fall through spring.

Route 2: US 285 via Buena Vista (the I-70 alternative)

When I-70 is jammed or closed, many drivers go southwest on US 285 instead. The route runs from the southwest Denver metro through the mountains and South Park to Antero Junction, then joins US 24 over Trout Creek Pass toward Buena Vista, according to the US 24 in Colorado route description. From Buena Vista, head north on US 24 to the Highway 82 turnoff for Twin Lakes.

It is longer, roughly 145 miles from downtown Denver to Twin Lakes and at least 3 hours by our estimate, but it avoids the I-70 mountain corridor entirely. It is also a sensible route if you want to stop in Buena Vista on the way; our Buena Vista and Arkansas River day guide has ideas.

From Colorado Springs

From Colorado Springs, take US 24 west through Woodland Park and stay on US 24 to Leadville, about 130 miles per Leadville's visitor information. Twin Lakes is on the way: US 24 passes through Buena Vista, and the Highway 82 turnoff for Twin Lakes comes before Leadville, so the drive to the lake is a bit shorter than to town. Expect roughly 2.5 hours in good conditions.

Leadville to Denver: the drive home

The return is the same route in reverse: Highway 91 north over Fremont Pass to I-70 at Copper Mountain, then east through the Eisenhower Tunnel. Eastbound I-70 tends to be slowest on Sunday afternoons and at the end of holiday weekends, so leaving early in the morning or later in the evening often saves real time. If you are flying out of DIA, build in a generous buffer, especially in winter.

Winter driving and the I-70 Traction Law

• The Traction Law is in effect every year from September 1 through May 31 on I-70 between Dotsero and Morrison, and CDOT can activate it on other highways, including mountain passes, when conditions warrant.
• When it is active, passenger vehicles need 4WD or AWD with tires that have at least 3/16-inch tread and are winter, all-weather or mud-and-snow (M+S) rated, or chains or an approved alternative traction device on at least two drive tires.
• CDOT lists the penalty for noncompliance as a $50 fine plus a $17 surcharge, and much more if a stuck vehicle closes a lane.
• Check COtrip.org or the COtrip Planner app for closures, chain laws and cameras before you leave.
• Rental cars from DIA are not guaranteed to have compliant tires; ask when you pick up.
• Highway 82 over Independence Pass, west of Twin Lakes, is closed in winter, so do not plan to reach Twin Lakes from Aspen between roughly November and late May. See CDOT's Independence Pass page or our Independence Pass closure status guide for this season's status and typical closing dates.

Fuel and grocery stops

Twin Lakes is small, so shop before you arrive:

• Leadville: the Safeway at 1900 N Poplar Way is the full-size supermarket closest to Twin Lakes, with a pharmacy, deli and bakery. Leadville also has gas stations and restaurants on Harrison Avenue; see our downtown Leadville guide.
• Twin Lakes: the Twin Lakes General Store sells groceries, water, beer, wine and liquor for top-ups once you are there.
• On I-70: Frisco, just before the Copper Mountain exit, is the last larger town on the Fremont Pass route.
• On US 285: Buena Vista is the last larger town before Twin Lakes.

Top off the tank in Leadville or Buena Vista, and carry water, snacks and warm layers in the car during winter. Our grocery and supplies guide has the fuller list of what to buy before you arrive.

First night at altitude

Denver sits around 5,280 feet, Leadville at 10,152 feet and Twin Lakes at roughly 9,200 feet. That is a big jump in a single afternoon. Visit Leadville Twin Lakes suggests drinking plenty of water before and during the trip, easing up on alcohol, and planning a relaxed first day. Save the big hike for day two or three; our things to do around Twin Lakes and Leadville guide has easy first-day ideas.

Where to stay at the end of the drive

If you haven't settled on where to stay yet, our where to stay at Twin Lakes guide compares the options along the lake.

The Big Mack is a whole-house rental at 218 Mackinaw Dr, across the road from Twin Lakes, roughly 2 to 2.5 hours from Denver in good conditions and roughly 20 to 30 minutes from Leadville. It sleeps 12 in 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, with a full kitchen for that first grocery run, a hot tub and fireplace after the drive, a washer and dryer, Wi-Fi and parking. Your host is John. Check your dates and book direct.