Christmas road trip from Dallas to Colorado

Question

Hello,

We are a family of 3. Our kid is 10 years old. We will be traveling in our Honda CRV 2WD, tires are 1k mile driven after recent replacement. We plan to travel from Dallas Texas and below is our itinerary.

We are not into skiing and are looking for scenic, zoo, and historical, mountains etc.

Dallas to Trinidad, CO - 12/21 (Night Stopover)

Estes park - 12/22 and 12/23

Steamboat Springs - 12/24 and 12/25

Aspen - 12/26 and 12/27

Head back to Dallas - 12/28

Should I rent a 4WD from Denver when moving further or CRV 2WD will be good enough?

Does my itinerary look good or do I need to remove one place?

What attractions I can look forward at all these places?

Will there be too much snow and the road not drivable?

Open to any suggestions and recommendations

Thanks in advance.

Answer

Your Christmas road trip from Dallas to Colorado sounds like a wonderful plan for scenic, family-friendly experiences, though there are a few things to keep in mind given winter conditions.

Vehicle Considerations:

Driving a 2WD Honda CRV is generally possible in Colorado during winter, especially if your tires are new and in good condition. However, mountain passes and higher elevations (especially around Estes Park, Steamboat Springs, and Aspen) can see snow and ice, making 4WD or AWD strongly recommended for safety.
If you prefer not to risk snow or icy roads, you could rent a 4WD vehicle in Denver when heading north to Estes Park and beyond. This will give more confidence on mountain roads and in case of sudden weather changes.

Itinerary Review:

Trinidad (12/21): Good choice for a first night stopover; allows you to break up the long drive from Dallas.
Estes Park (12/22–12/23): Excellent choice. Rocky Mountain National Park is beautiful in winter, and there are plenty of scenic drives, wildlife viewing, and small-town charm.
Steamboat Springs (12/24–12/25): Scenic, though quite a long drive from Estes Park (~5–6 hours in winter conditions). If snow and driving are a concern, consider cutting this leg or staying longer in Estes or heading directly to Aspen via Glenwood Springs.
Aspen (12/26–12/27): Beautiful mountain town, great for scenic drives and walking through town. Without skiing, you’ll enjoy art galleries, historical sites, and winter scenery.
Return to Dallas (12/28): Long drive (~12 hours). Breaking it up with a night in a town along I-25 (like Pueblo or Colorado Springs) can make it less exhausting.

Attractions to consider at each stop:

Trinidad: Historic downtown, Trinidad History Museum, Santa Fe Trail landmarks.
Estes Park: Rocky Mountain National Park scenic drives (Trail Ridge Road may be closed in winter above 11,000 ft), Bear Lake, Sprague Lake, wildlife viewing, Estes Park Aerial Tramway, and Stanley Hotel (historic site).
Steamboat Springs: Fish Creek Falls, Yampa River Botanic Park, Strawberry Park Hot Springs (if open), and downtown holiday lights. Even without skiing, the town has a festive atmosphere.
Aspen: Maroon Bells scenic drive (check winter road access), Aspen Art Museum, historic downtown walking, John Denver Sanctuary, and local winter festivals or holiday events.

Winter Driving & Snow:

December in Colorado means you should expect snow in mountain areas. Roads are usually plowed and maintained, but icy patches are common, particularly early morning or at higher elevations.
Monitor weather forecasts closely. Some passes may require tire chains or a vehicle with AWD/4WD if there’s a snowstorm.
Allow extra time for all mountain drives, as winter conditions can slow travel.

Suggestions:

If you want to reduce stress, consider skipping Steamboat Springs and spending more time in Estes Park and Aspen. This will also shorten driving times between stops.
Ensure your accommodations are booked in advance, as this is peak holiday season.
Pack winter essentials (warm layers, blankets, snacks, and a small shovel or ice scraper) in your CRV if you do not rent 4WD.

Overall, your itinerary is ambitious but doable with careful planning. Consider upgrading to a 4WD or AWD vehicle for the mountain segments and potentially trimming one stop to reduce driving stress and maximize enjoyment of Colorado’s winter scenery.

Christmas road trip from Dallas to Colorado

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