Durango is tucked into the southwest corner of Colorado — remote, but absolutely worth the journey. Here's every way to get there.
By Air — Durango–La Plata Airport (DRO)
Durango has its own regional airport (DRO) just 14 miles east of downtown. It's small but remarkably well-connected for a mountain town — direct flights from Denver, Dallas, Phoenix, Los Angeles, and seasonal routes from other hubs.
Airlines: United (Denver), American (Dallas/Fort Worth, Phoenix, Los Angeles), and seasonal carriers.
Rental cars: All major rental agencies at DRO — a car is essential in Durango.
Driving Distances
From Colorado Cities
- Denver346 mi · ~5.5 hrs
- Colorado Springs283 mi · ~4.5 hrs
- Telluride75 mi · ~1.5 hrs
- Cortez (Mesa Verde)45 mi · 45 min
- Silverton49 mi · ~1 hr
From Nearby States
- Albuquerque, NM215 mi · ~3.5 hrs
- Santa Fe, NM256 mi · ~4 hrs
- Phoenix, AZ450 mi · ~6.5 hrs
- Salt Lake City, UT448 mi · ~6 hrs
🏔 Mountain driving note: The Million Dollar Highway (US-550 north toward Silverton and Ouray) is stunning but requires careful, confident mountain driving — steep grades, no guardrails, and tight switchbacks. Avoid in winter unless you're experienced with snow driving.
Road Trip Essentials
Roadside Kit
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Cargo Carrier
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Colorado Atlas
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Car Cooler
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Getting Around Durango
Downtown Durango is very walkable — most restaurants, shops, and the Narrow Gauge depot are within a few blocks of each other. A car is helpful for reaching Purgatory, Mesa Verde, and trailheads.
Trolley: The free Main Avenue Trolley runs summers along historic downtown. Bike rentals are available at several downtown shops for trail access.