South West road trip advice

Question

Hello, am planning a brief visit to South West CO in July arriving from Moab (2 days already planned there) and due back at SLC airport.

Day 1 Moab to Mesa Verde drive (3.5 hrs) then spend time at site before driving to Durango for overnight stay

Day 2 rafting at Durango plus overnight stay (not sure what the water levels are like in summer?)

Day 3 drive to Black Canyon of Gunnison (3hrs), couple of hours seeing the canyon then onward drive to Grand Junction and overnight there

Day 4 early drive around Colorado National monument (couple of hours) then drive to Dinosaur national monument (2hrs) to see the “wall”, overnight stay at Vernal

Day 5 drive to SLC (3 hours) for midday flight

How does this look? Do we drop the additional night at Durango and use it for Grand junction and local sites instead?

Any advice much appreciated.

Answer

Your South West Colorado road trip plan is ambitious but doable. You have a lot of driving and sightseeing packed into a short period, so it’s worth evaluating where to optimize time and experiences.

Day 1: Moab → Mesa Verde → Durango

The drive from Moab to Mesa Verde is roughly 3.5 hours, which is manageable.
Mesa Verde is a large site with numerous cliff dwellings. Plan at least 3–4 hours if you want to do one or two ranger-led tours; self-guided viewing areas are quicker.
Driving from Mesa Verde to Durango adds another ~1 hour. Arriving in the evening in Durango is fine for an overnight stay.

Day 2: Rafting in Durango

Durango rafting in July is usually good; rivers like the Animas are safe for guided family-friendly Class II-III rafting. The flow is moderate but always confirm with local outfitters for water levels.
If you only have one overnight in Durango, you can keep it for the rafting experience. Dropping it would make the day very rushed, especially if you have to drive elsewhere after rafting.

Day 3: Durango → Black Canyon of Gunnison → Grand Junction

Drive to Black Canyon of Gunnison is about 3 hours. Plan for 2–3 hours at the canyon to see the overlooks and short hikes.
After that, the drive to Grand Junction is roughly 2–2.5 hours. This is feasible but expect a long day. You may consider leaving earlier from Durango if you want to maximize time at the canyon.

Day 4: Colorado National Monument → Dinosaur National Monument → Vernal

Colorado National Monument near Grand Junction can be explored in 2–3 hours, including scenic drives and overlooks.
Dinosaur National Monument “Wall” exhibit is about a 2-hour drive from Grand Junction. Plan 1–2 hours at the exhibit.
Overnight in Vernal is practical for a shorter drive to SLC the next day (~3 hours).

Day 5: Vernal → Salt Lake City

Morning drive to SLC is ~3 hours, giving time to catch a midday flight comfortably.

Suggestions / Adjustments:

Keep the Durango overnight if rafting is a priority; it allows for a relaxed morning and avoids rushing.
If you skip the additional Durango night, you could gain more time in Grand Junction or at Colorado National Monument, but it may make Day 2 very tight.
Consider starting your days early to maximize sightseeing and minimize midday heat in July, especially at Mesa Verde and Black Canyon.
Book rafting and any timed tours in advance to avoid missing out, as summer is busy.
Check road conditions for Black Canyon and Colorado National Monument, as summer can bring construction delays.

Overall, your itinerary is feasible, but each day involves significant driving. Keeping the Durango night allows for a more relaxed and enjoyable rafting experience. The rest of the days are packed but reasonable for travelers comfortable with 2–4 hours of driving plus sightseeing.

South West road trip advice

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