Best Route from Phoenix to Denver

By Car (~1,150 mi, ~17 hrs non-stop)

1. I-17 N to Flagstaff, AZ
2. US-180 E to Holbrook, AZ
3. I-40 E to Gallup, NM
4. US-666 E (becomes US-550) to Durango, CO
5. US-160 E to Wolf Creek Pass
6. CO-114 S to South Fork
7. CO-149 N to Creede → Lake City → Saguache
8. US-285 N to Gunnison
9. US-50 E to Montrose
10. US-550 N to Delta
11. CO-92 E to Hotchkiss → Paonia
12. CO-133 N to Carbondale
13. CO-82 E to Glenwood Springs → Rifle
14. I-70 E to Denver

By Plane

Direct PHX → DEN: ~2 hr 10 min.