Quick Summary
- Yes, you can still drive a Colorado rental car to Aspen when Independence Pass is closed, by using the year round route via I 70 and Highway 82 through Glenwood Springs.
- The winter closure only affects the high mountain section of Highway 82 over the pass, not the main approach from the west.
- Choosing a well prepared vehicle from Hola Car Rentals makes high altitude winter driving feel safer and more relaxed.
What Independence Pass closure actually means
Independence Pass is the high, scenic section of Colorado Highway 82 that crosses the Continental Divide east of Aspen. Each year Colorado Department of Transportation closes the pass to all vehicles for the snowy season, with gates near Aspen and Twin Lakes, so even locals in four wheel drives cannot legally continue once the barriers go across.
This winter closure does not cut Aspen off. The lower reaches of Highway 82 between Glenwood Springs and Aspen stay open, so drivers coming from Denver, Eagle or Grand Junction simply use I 70 to Glenwood Springs and then follow the Roaring Fork Valley upstream to the resort towns.
Best routes to Aspen when the pass is shut
For most visitors arriving by air, the simplest option is to pick up your Colorado car hire in Denver and take I 70 west to Glenwood Springs before turning onto Highway 82 towards Snowmass and Aspen. In good weather this journey usually takes around four hours, though weekend traffic or winter storms can easily add another hour or more.
If Interstate 70 is slow or closed in Glenwood Canyon, there are signed alternatives via US 285 and US 24 through Buena Vista or via Highway 131 and Carbondale. These are longer and more remote but still fully paved, so they remain within the standard on road coverage that Hola Car Rentals offers to visitors.
If you prefer to land closer to the mountains, check which airlines serve Eagle County or Aspen for your dates, then look at collecting your vehicle at Denver and driving up, or flying into Denver and connecting onwards while keeping one booking with Hola Car Rentals. Starting at the front of the queue at the Denver Airport desks gives you more time to handle mountain weather calmly.
Travellers who want a day or two in the city before heading for the snow can pick up in town instead and enjoy a relaxed evening exploring breweries and neighbourhoods. Looking at Denver city pick up options makes it easier to decide whether it is better to stay downtown first or head straight for the slopes.
Rental policies, snow rules and car choice
Most standard rental agreements in Colorado allow you to drive any paved highway that is open to traffic, including mountain passes like Independence Pass during the summer season. You are not allowed to drive around road closure gates or take the car off road, but as long as you stick to open highways you will usually be fully covered.
If you are tempted by side trips on less travelled roads, our guide on Colorado scenic byways rules explains how rental cover works on gravel stretches and which detours are better left for another visit.
For winter, we recommend booking through Hola Car Rentals with All Inclusive plus cover and maximum liability protection on eligible itineraries. You will see which vehicles include winter tyres or all wheel drive, and many bookings add free travel insurance up to 150000 US dollars, which is reassuring when you are tackling high passes and changeable weather.
FAQs
- Can I drive over Independence Pass in summer with a rental car? In summer, when the pass is officially open and the gates are lifted, most rentals can use it as long as you stay on the paved road and follow any size or weight restrictions that apply.
- Do I need chains for the Denver to Aspen drive? Colorado traction laws sometimes require winter tyres or chains during storms, and signage will make this clear, so choosing an appropriate vehicle with Hola Car Rentals is the easiest way to comply.
- Is there a mileage limit for driving from Denver to Aspen? Most leisure rentals include unlimited mileage within the state, so the extra distance via Glenwood Springs usually does not change your price, but always check your specific booking conditions.
Once you have picked the route that suits your timing and confidence, book with Hola Car Rentals for clear policies, strong cover and a car that makes the drive to Aspen as enjoyable as the time you spend on the slopes.
