Weekends
I-70 traffic
Saturday mornings, Sunday afternoons.
Westbound peaks 8am to 10am on Saturdays, eastbound about 3pm to 6pm on Sundays. Express lanes open on weekends and holidays, for a toll.
Breck extra
How long it takes to get to Breckenridge from Denver airport, Eagle airport and downtown Denver, and what slows you down.
Photo: Idawriter, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
How long
Two hours from Denver airport is the number everyone quotes, and on a clear weekday it's about right. Eagle County airport, near Vail, is closer, but the drive goes over Vail Pass and there are far fewer flights.
The bigger question is when you travel. Landing at DEN on a Saturday morning in ski season puts you in the worst traffic of the week.
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In good conditions
| From | Distance | Time | Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denver International (DEN) | About 97 miles | About 1 hr 45 min to 2 hr | I-70 W through the Eisenhower Tunnel |
| Eagle County (EGE) | About 70 miles | About 1 hr 20 min | I-70 E over Vail Pass (10,662 ft) |
| Downtown Denver | About 86 miles | About 1 hr 30 min | I-70 W |
Distances from the resort and shuttle companies. Times are for a clear road with no traffic, and they rarely happen on a winter weekend.
Add time for
Weekends
Saturday mornings, Sunday afternoons.
Westbound peaks 8am to 10am on Saturdays, eastbound about 3pm to 6pm on Sundays. Express lanes open on weekends and holidays, for a toll.
Storms
The tunnel and Vail Pass.
Snow can slow I-70 to a crawl or close it, especially near the Eisenhower Tunnel and on Vail Pass. Check road conditions before you set off, not just before your flight.
Shuttles
Shared shuttles make stops.
Epic Mountain Express quotes about two hours from DEN, and warns against tight connections because of construction at Floyd Hill and Vail Pass.
Keep exploring
Book online before you arrive and pick your gear up in town the evening before. The morning rush at the base shops can eat your first hour, and booking ahead can be cheaper.
Breck is on the Epic Pass. Buying a ticket at the window on the day is the most expensive way up the hill, so buy ahead online or look at an Epic Day Pass if you're here for a few days.
One short email a week in season: what fell, what's open, and where to ride this weekend.