Glenwood Springs to Jackpot: Epic Colorado to Nevada Road Trip Guide

Glenwood Springs, Colorado, sits at the confluence of the Roaring Fork and Colorado Rivers, with a historic hot springs pool fed by the Yampah spring. From there, a drive northwest to Jackpot, Nevada, crosses the spine of the Rockies and the Great Basin desert. The route covers about 700 miles, with a recommended 12 to 14 hours of driving time, plus stops.

One specific road quirk: on Interstate 70 through Glenwood Canyon, the highway hugs the Colorado River, and in winter, sections can close due to rockfall or ice. The canyon walls are some of the steepest on any interstate in the U.S. A few miles west, exit 116 leads to the historic town of Dotsero, named for the Dotsero Cutoff that improved rail routes in 1930. This fact is rarely noted by tourists but is a marker of engineering history.

To plan your own stops along any route, check out this guide: how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities. For this trip, we have broken down the journey into key thematic sections to help you enjoy every mile.

The drive includes two distinct climate zones. The Colorado portion is mountainous with potential snow from October to May. Carry chains in winter. The Utah desert is hot in summer (100+°F) and cold in winter. Nevada’s high desert can experience sudden windstorms. Always carry water, blankets, and a full tank.

• Rest areas: Well-spaced on I-70: Dotsero rest area (mile 134), Fruita rest area (mile 19). On US-93, rest stops are sparse; use towns to break.
• Fatigue management: The loneliest road (US-50) is hypnotic. Stop every 2 hours. Recommended stops: Green River State Park, Great Basin National Park visitor center, Lehman Caves tour.
• Family suitability: Kid-friendly stops include the Children’s Discovery Museum in Grand Junction and the Dinosaur Museum in Blanding, UT (detour). Pet-friendly: Most motels in Ely and Wells accept pets; many pulled pork and picnic areas allow leashed dogs.

Hidden off-route spots: Rainbow Point in Great Basin National Park (detour 5 miles off US-50) offers 10,000-foot views. North of Ely, the Ward Mountain Recreation Area has hiking trails. Near Jackpot, the Bruneau River Canyon (Idaho, 30 miles north) is a hidden gem for kayaking.

From Glenwood Springs, drive west on I-70 through Glenwood Canyon, where the road is carved into sheer cliffs. The canyon was a major engineering feat; its completion in 1992 required 27 bridges and tunnels. Just past the canyon, the valley opens into the Colorado Plateau. Near Grand Junction, Colorado National Monument offers towering red rock formations and desert bighorn sheep.

• Natural attractions: Glenwood Springs hot springs, Rifle Falls State Park (waterfall), Colorado National Monument, Arches National Park (detour via Moab), Great Basin National Park (near Ely, NV).
• Local commerce: In Grand Junction, try Palisade peaches along the Fruit & Wine Byway. In Ely, visit the Nevada Northern Railway Museum. Jackpot’s economy is casino-driven, with three main resorts.

One UNESCO World Heritage Site is within a reasonable detour: Mesa Verde National Park (near Cortez, CO) is about 3 hours south of Grand Junction. The cliff dwellings of the Ancestral Puebloans are stunning. If time allows, it is highly recommended. However, the route itself passes near no UNESCO sites, so consider this side trip if you have an extra day.

Fuel station density varies significantly along this route. The stretch between Grand Junction and Green River, Utah, has limited services. Plan to fill up at major towns: Glenwood Springs, Grand Junction, Green River, Salina (Utah), and Wells (Nevada). After leaving the I-70 corridor in Utah, the road becomes US-93, which is mostly two lanes with intermittent gas stations every 30-40 miles.

• Fuel stops: Glenwood Springs (many), Grand Junction (many), Green River (a few), Cove Fort (one station), Ely, NV (several), Wells (several), Jackpot (casino resorts).
• Road conditions: I-70 is well-maintained. US-50 in Nevada is known as “the loneliest road” but is paved and safe.
• Cell service: Strong on I-70 in Colorado and Utah, spotty from Salina to Ely, and returns near towns in Nevada.

For those wondering how long to drive Glenwood Springs, CO to Jackpot, NV, the minimum is about 11 hours of pure driving, but with stops, plan for two days. The question “is it worth driving Glenwood Springs, CO to Jackpot, NV?” is answered by the landscapes: the transition from alpine forests to red rock deserts to sagebrush basins is a natural spectacle.