best way to Buena Vista Friday afternoon in August

[lens dad]

I'm hoping this isn't seen as a frivolous topic as good insight would be helpful to us.....Live in Lincoln NE and we make it out every August to hike. This year headed to Buena Vista area (arriving Friday the 4th). The big factor is likely time of day. So....we could take the seemingly quickest route ( thru Denver on 76 to 70 and thru Leadville etc ). Google says without stops and delays, 9 hours. We'd hope to be in Denver noon to 2ish . We worry we'd get all caught up in delays along 70 out of Denver and be at a standstill many times = no fun and adds to time for sure OR we could go to the West edge of Denver and do 470 to 285. Again info says 9ish hours without stops and delays. Is our chances of delays on that West edge of Denver way less? And that's assuming once we get on 285 smoother sailing than I-70 OR do we just angle down and get on 70 in Kansas and go thru Colorado Springs and get on 24? Is that gonna be a mess getting thru the Springs at that time of day too ? This route shows about an hour longer ( again not factoring in stops and delays), but may be worth it all factors considered ?....Ultimately we'd be thankful to get to our destination in decent time and safely regardless. The less the hassle in getting there this year, the better !! I wish we didn't have to travel out on a Friday. That's the way it worked this year. Any knowledgeable opinions appreciated !!

[interloper]

I’d take 70 over to Copper. It’ll be busy, but at least it’s four lanes. 285 can be an absolute crawl on summer weekends.

[HikerGuy]

Either way, 70 or 285, will have delays on a Friday afternoon. Best thing to do is check Waze or Google Traffic when you get to Denver and choose which one has the lesser delay.

[nsaladin]

None of them are good options. 70 is probably the best bet due to having more lanes.

[daway8]

Fair question but if there was a fast non-crowded way to get to the mountains everyone would be taking it, lol.

If you arrive as early as expected then I-70 might not be too horrible yet - if you could arrive earlier that would be even better (like maybe midnight-2am! )

But seriously, 285 is a gamble - as others have stated, at least I-70 has multiple lanes and thus more options to pass slow people or get around accidents.

[pleiades]

I-25S to the Springs, followed by 24W over Woodland Park takes longer, but it's also an option.

[Jim Davies]

Take US 24 all the way from Limon to Buena Vista. Other than going through Colorado Springs, shouldn't be backed up much, even on a Friday. Google Maps seems to agree: https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Limon,+ ... +Vista,+CO
When we were driving through Nebraska a lot a few years back, we'd take CO 71 between Brush and Limon. Kind of dull, but no traffic.

[bigredmachine]

Take US 24 all the way from Limon to Buena Vista. Other than going through Colorado Springs, shouldn't be backed up much, even on a Friday. Google Maps seems to agree: https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Limon,+ ... +Vista,+CO
When we were driving through Nebraska a lot a few years back, we'd take CO 71 between Brush and Limon. Kind of dull, but no traffic.

He’s coming from Lincoln aka I-76 not i70, so this wont work without an even bigger detour.

Stick to i70 to Denver…check 285 vs i70 in Denver on maps, waze etc and take I 70 unless 285 saves 15+ minutes

[Wentzl]

Googlemaps says that Colorado Springs through Limon is a viable option, and I agree.

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Lincoln ... ?entry=ttu

[bigredmachine]

Limon is not on the path from Lincoln. You coukd get there but not very viable at all. The time saved going through CS is lost in the state hw in Kansas. Go through Denver before 3 pm and it should be fine on I 70. Smooth sailing…stay off of 285…s**t show on a Friday

[Wentzl]

I have done it that way driving home to Montrose coming back from the east coast and it was not bad. I believe I saved some time getting home as opposed to I-70 to Junction and then 50 to Montrose, which is the "recommended" route.

[lens dad]

Thanks everyone -> helpful !!