How Long is the Drive from Winter Park to Breckenridge?

So you’re wondering how much time does it take to get from Winter Park to Breckenridge?

Thats a great question. Alot of people make that trip, maybe their skiing one place and want to check out the other for a day. Or maybe your meeting friends. Whatever the reason, you gotta know how long its gonna take.

The simple answer? Google maps will tell you it takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes.

But let me tell you, that “simple answer” is almost never the real answer. Especially not in the winter. That 1 hour 20 minute drive can turn into a 3 or 4 hour nightmare if you dont plan ahead.

Why? Well, you’re driving between two major ski resorts in the Colorado rockies. The route isn’t just a simple highway. It involves mountain passes, a notorious stretch of interstate, and alot of factors that can change your drive time in a second.

So lets actually break down the trip, the routes, and what you really need to know.

The “Real Answer” to Your Drive Time

The real time it takes depends on a bunch of stuff.

• Weather: Is it snowing? Is it sunny?
• Traffic: Are you driving on a weekend morning? Or a Tuesday afternoon?
• Route: Are you taking the main route? Are the passes open?
• Your Car: Do you have a 4-wheel drive car with snow tires?
• Your Comfort: Are you a confident mountain driver or are you gonna be going 20 mph white-knuckled the whole way?

Honestly, I’d budget at least 2 hours for the trip just to be safe in the winter. If its a weekend or its snowing, budget more.

Breaking Down The Main Route (The I-70 Way)

There’s really only one main, practical route to get from Winter Park to Brekenridge in the winter. And it has a few different parts.

The total trip is about 63 miles. Here’s how it breaks down.

Part 1: Winter Park to Empire (US-40 over Berthoud Pass)

Right out of Winter Park, you’ll hop on US-40 heading east. This is probably the most beautiful, and most sketchy, part of your drive. You immediatly start climbing Berthoud Pass.

• Distance: About 25 miles.
• Time: 35-45 minutes (if its clear).

Berthoud Pass is no joke. It’s high (over 11,300 feet), its super twisty, and it has alot of sharp switchbacks. The views are amazing, you’ll see the contintental divide. But it can be scary.

If its snowing, this pass gets icy and dangerous quick. It also closes down completely sometimes during big storms. If Berthoud Pass is closed, you basicly can’t get to I-70. You’re stuck. So always check COtrip.org before you leave.

Part 2: Empire to The “Big Split” (I-70 West)

Once you get down Berthoud Pass, you’ll hit the small town of Empire. This is where you merge onto Interstate 70 (I-70) heading west.

• Distance: About 15 miles.
• Time: 15-20 minutes (no traffic).

This is where things get… interesting. You are now on the single most notorious stretch of highway in Colorado. The I-70 mountain corridor. This is the main artery for everyone going from Denver to the mountains.

If you’re driving this on a Saturday morning (westbound) or a Sunday afternoon (eastbound), forget it. It will be a total parking lot. A 15-minute drive can take over an hour. Easy. But if you’re going at an off-peak time, it’s not too bad.

Part 3: The Big Choice: Eisenhower Tunnel vs. Loveland Pass (US-6)

Right after the town of Silver Plume, you have a choice.

1. Stay on I-70 and go through the Eisenhower Tunnel: This is what most people do. It’s the fastest way. The tunnel itself is almost 1.7 miles long and goes right under the mountain. The only problem? Sometimes the tunnel has “metering,” where they stop traffic and only let cars go thru a few at a time to manage airflow. This can cause big backups.
2. Take the US-6 Exit over Loveland Pass: This is the “old” way. Before the tunnel, everyone had to go up and over Loveland Pass. It’s another high-altitude pass (almost 12,000 feet!).

So which should you choose?

My advice: Unless you’re feelin brave and its a beautiful clear day, just take the tunnel. Loveland Pass is where all the hazmat trucks have to go, and it closes all the time. It’s just not worth the risk most of the time.

Part 4: The Home Stretch to Breckenridge (CO-9)

After you pop out of the tunnel (or come down from Loveland Pass), you’re almost there. You’ll drive on I-70 for a few more miles, past the Keystone ski resort exit.

You’ll get off at Exit 203 in Frisco/Silverthorne.

• Distance: About 10 miles from the exit.
• Time: 15-20 minutes.

This takes you onto CO-Highway 9, which runs south straight into Breckenridge. This road is pretty flat and straightforward. The only place you might hit traffic is going through the town of Frisco, which has a bunch of stoplights. But once you’re past that, you’ll cruise right into Breck.

And that’s it! You made it.

Is There an “Other” Route? (The Long Way)

What if Berthoud Pass is closed or I-70 is a total disaster? Is there another way?

Yes… but you probbaly don’t want to take it.

You could go the “long way around.” This means:

1. Take US-40 WEST from Winter Park (the opposite direction).
2. Go all the way to Kremmling, CO.
3. In Kremmling, turn south onto CO-Highway 9.
4. Take CO-9 all the way south, past Green Mountain Reservoir, through Silverthorne, and into Breckenridge.

This route completly avoids Berthoud Pass and the worst of the I-70 traffic. The downside?

It’s WAY longer. Like, 95 miles instead of 63. This route will take you 2.5 to 3 hours even in good weather. It’s a nice drive, but it’s not practical if you’re just trying to get there.

What REALLY Messes Up Your Drive Time?

So we talked about the route, but lets get specific. What are the real problems you’ll face?

❄️ Weather, Weather, Weather

This is the big one. A snowstorm changes everything.

• Visibility: In a whiteout, you can barely see. Everyone slows down to a crawl.
• Ice: The roads get slick, especially on the passes and on bridges.
• Closures: A big storm will shut down Berthoud Pass or Loveland Pass. I-70 can even close for avalance control work. If that happens, your 1.5 hour drive becomes “you’re not going today.”
• Traction Laws: When it snows, Colorado has “Traction Laws.” This means you legally must have snow tires, M+S (mud and snow) tires, or 4WD/AWD. If you’re in a little rental sedan with bad tires, you’re gonna have a bad time (and maybe get a big ticket).

🚗 Traffic (Especially on Weekends)

I can’t stress this enough. If you try to drive from Winter Park to Breck on a Saturday morning between 8 AM and 11 AM, you will hit traffic. You’re joining the entire population of Denver as they all try to get to the mountains at the same time.

The same goes for heading back (eastbound) on a Sunday afternoon. From about 1 PM to 7 PM, I-70 East is a parking lot.

Your 1.5 hour trip can easily, easily become 3+ hours just because of traffic.

🅿️ Parking in Breckenridge

Okay, this isn’t drive time, but it’s part of your trip. Once you get to Breckenridge… where are you gonna park?

Parking in Breck is a nightmare and its expensive. The lots fill up early. You might spend an extra 30-45 minutes just circling around trying to find a spot. It’s a huge pain.

So… How Should You Get There?

You have a few options, each with their own pros and cons.

Option 1: Drive Yourself

If you have your own car or a rental, this gives you the most flexibility.

• Pros: You’re on your own schedule. You can stop wherever you want.
• Cons: You have to deal with all the stress. The snow, the ice, the traffic, the sketchy passes. You need to make sure your rental car is AWD or 4WD. And you have to find and pay for parking.

If you’re not a confident winter driver, I honestly would not recomend this. It can be a white-knuckle, miserable experience.

Option 2: Rideshare (Uber/Lyft)

Can you get an Uber from Winter Park to Breckenridge?

• Pros: …Not many. You don’t have to drive.
• Cons: It’s gonna be insanely expensive. If you can even find a driver willing to do it. They might not have a car thats safe for the mountains. And getting one for the return trip? Good luck. This is not a reliable option.

Option 3: Let Us Handle It (Winter Wagon)

This is, in my opinion, the best way. Take a shuttle.

• Pros:
  • Zero Stress: You just sit back and look at the views. Let a professional driver handle the roads.
  • Safety: Our drivers are pros. They do this every single day. They know the routes, they know the conditions.
  • Proper Vehicles: Our vans are built for this. They are heavy-duty, equipped for winter, and have the right tires. Way safer than a little rental car.
  • No Parking Hassles: We drop you off right where you need to go. No circling lots.
  • We Know the Backups: We watch the traffic. We know when the tunnel is metered or when Loveland is a better (or worse) option.

Winter Wagon offers private charters between resorts. If you have a group, this is the most comfortable, safest, and easiest way to get from Winter Park to Breckenridge. You can set your own schedule, we pick you up at your condo, and we take you right to the base of the lift in Breck.

You dont have to worry about the passes, the traffic, or the parking. You just get to enjoy your day.

Why Go From WP to Breck Anyway?

It’s a popular trip because the two resorts have a tottally different vibe.

• Winter Park: More of a “local’s” mountain (especially Mary Jane). It’s known for amazing bump skiing, great tree runs, and a more laid-back feel.
• Breckenridge: It’s a massive resort with five different peaks. The town is a real historic mining town, not just a resort village. It’s huge, with tons of shopping, restaurants, and nightlife.

It’s really fun to ski both if you have the time!

1. The “Google Maps Time” is a Lie: It’s not 1 hour 20 minutes. Budget 2 hours minimum.
2. Check COTrip.org: Before you even get in the car, check the road conditions. See if Berthoud Pass is open. See what I-70 looks like.
3. Avoid Peak Times: Do NOT try to drive this on a Saturday morning or Sunday afternoon unless you absolutely have to.
4. Be Prepared: If you do drive, make sure you have a safe car, a full tank of gas, and some water and snacks.
5. Consider a Shuttle: Honestly, just let us handle it. It makes the day so much more fun when you don’t have to worry about the drive.

Have a great time in Breck!