Aspen to Vail is about 103 miles (166 km) by our routing, roughly 2 hours 10 minutes on a clear road, down the Roaring Fork Valley to Glenwood Springs and east on I-70. In summer there is a second, higher road over Independence Pass, a similar distance but slower, and closed from late autumn to late spring. The two resorts are close as the crow flies, but high mountains lie between them, so every road goes around or over.
There are three ways to make the trip: a public connection by bus rapid transit and the state's Bustang coach, driving it yourself, or a private car. On Elly8.net, an Aspen to Vail transfer is priced per vehicle in the web booker for your exact addresses and fixed when you reserve, and a day trip in either direction can be booked by the hour, from US$115 an hour in Aspen and US$110 in Vail. This guide sets out the routes and the options, including when the bus is the sensible choice.
How do you get from Aspen to Vail?
Most of the year, take Highway 82 to Glenwood Springs and I-70 east to Vail, about 103 miles and 2 hours 10 minutes. In summer, Independence Pass is the scenic alternative. By public transit, take RFTA's VelociRFTA to Glenwood Springs and Bustang's West Line to Vail. A private car is priced per vehicle.
Two routes, two seasons
Through Glenwood Springs (all year). From Aspen, Highway 82 runs down the Roaring Fork Valley past Snowmass, Basalt and Carbondale to Glenwood Springs. From there, I-70 runs east through Glenwood Canyon and up the Eagle River valley past Gypsum, Eagle, Edwards and Avon to Vail. It is the year-round road, and when Independence Pass is closed, it is the only practical one. The Colorado Department of Transportation names this same route, I-70 to Glenwood Springs and then CO 82, as the alternate between Denver and Aspen when the pass is shut.
Over Independence Pass (summer and early autumn). Highway 82 climbs east out of Aspen over Independence Pass to Twin Lakes, then the route turns north through Leadville on US-24 and descends to I-70 near Minturn, just west of Vail. By our routing it is about the same distance, roughly 102 miles (165 km), but closer to three hours on a clear road, because the pass is narrow and slow.
| Route | Distance | Clear-road time | Open | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highway 82 to Glenwood Springs, then I-70 | about 103 mi (166 km) | about 2 h 10 min | all year | I-70 Traction Law corridor in winter |
| Independence Pass, Leadville, then I-70 | about 102 mi (165 km) | about 3 h | late May to autumn | no vehicles over 35 feet; narrow, single-lane stretches |
Distances and times are from our routing on a clear road.
Independence Pass: dates and rules
CDOT's Independence Pass travel information describes the pass as a two-lane, 12,095-foot road that closes each winter for the safety of travellers and maintenance crews. It typically closes on or near November 7 and almost always reopens on the Thursday before Memorial Day weekend, weather permitting.
This autumn, CDOT announced a safety closure of Highway 82 over the pass between Aspen and Twin Lakes from 8 a.m. on Saturday, October 31, ahead of a storm, with conditions to be re-evaluated afterwards to decide whether the road reopens or enters its annual winter shutdown. CDOT notes that the pass typically closes for the season between late October and mid-November, and describes it as the highest paved state highway in Colorado, crossing the Continental Divide at 12,095 feet.
Two rules matter for planning:
- No long vehicles. CDOT says that no vehicle over 35 feet in length, including a vehicle and trailer together, may use the pass at any time, and that oversized and overweight vehicles are strictly prohibited.
- Narrow road. CDOT warns of steep drop-offs and stretches that can take only a single vehicle, so drivers must be ready to yield, and cyclists are common in summer.
For a private car, the pass is a summer choice made on the day, by the chauffeur, in a sedan, SUV or Sprinter. In winter and spring, the Glenwood Springs route is the plan.
Option 1: the bus, via Glenwood Springs
There is a public connection, and it is good value.
Aspen to Glenwood Springs on RFTA. The Roaring Fork Transportation Authority's VelociRFTA bus rapid transit runs between Aspen and Glenwood Springs in about an hour, which RFTA says is the same as a car, with buses every 12 minutes or less at peak commuter times. Fares are set by zone on RFTA's fares page, and RFTA's Glenwood Springs stops include the West Glenwood Park and Ride.
Glenwood Springs to Vail on Bustang. CDOT's Bustang West Line stops at the West Glenwood Park and Ride and runs east along I-70 to Eagle, Avon and the Vail Transportation Center on South Frontage Road, continuing to Frisco and Denver. Check the timetable for the day you travel, because the connection only works when the two schedules line up.
Where it works: one or two travellers with light bags, a flexible day and a Vail address near the transportation center or the free town buses.
Where it does not: ski luggage for a week, children who need seats, a group, or an evening dinner reservation at the far end. Missing the Bustang connection in Glenwood Springs means waiting for the next coach.
Option 2: driving yourself
With a rental or your own car, the drive is straightforward in summer and demanding in winter.
In winter, the I-70 section from Glenwood Springs to Vail lies within CDOT's Traction Law corridor, which runs from Morrison to Dotsero between September 1 and May 31 or whenever conditions require, and CDOT can apply traction and chain laws on any state highway, including Highway 82. You need all-weather or winter-rated tires with at least 3/16 inch of tread, or chains or an approved traction device. Check COtrip before leaving: I-70 through Glenwood Canyon can close for crashes or storms.
Then there is parking at the far end. Vail Village and Lionshead are pedestrian cores with parking structures, and Aspen's downtown is busy in season. If you only need the car for one transfer, the rental sits parked for the rest of the week; our chauffeur vs renting a car comparison covers that trade-off.
Where it works: a long road trip with a car anyway, summer travel, and a driver who wants to take Independence Pass at their own pace.
Option 3: a private car
A private Elly8.net car goes from your Aspen door to your Vail door, or the other way, with no connections. The chauffeur picks the route for the season and the day, handles the Traction Law and the parking, and stops wherever you want: lunch in Glenwood Springs, a walk in Leadville on the summer route, groceries in Avon.
As a one-way transfer, the web booker shows a fixed, all-in price per vehicle for your addresses, with taxes and the standard gratuity included. Tolls, parking and waiting beyond the included time are billed at cost.
As a day trip, book by the hour so the car stays with you:
| Day trip | Starting from | Booking | Business Sedan | Business SUV | Executive Sprinter |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aspen to Vail and back | Aspen | Full-day chauffeur, 8 hours | US$850 | US$1,070 | US$1,695 |
| Vail to Aspen and back | Vail | Full-day chauffeur, 8 hours | US$810 | US$1,035 | US$1,620 |
| Longer day, 10 hours | Aspen | By the hour, US$115 / US$145 / US$230 | US$1,150 | US$1,450 | US$2,300 |
Ten-hour figures are the published hourly rates multiplied out, as arithmetic. With about 2 hours 10 minutes each way on a clear road, an 8-hour day leaves around three and a half hours at the other resort: time for lunch and a walk through the village. For a ski day, choose 10 hours. Hourly bookings run up to 12 hours at checkout, with a 3-hour minimum; see hourly chauffeur service.
Capacities, from the Elly8.net fleet page: sedans carry up to 3 passengers and 2 bags, Business and First Class SUVs up to 6 and 6, and the Executive Sprinter up to 12 and 12.
Side by side
| RFTA + Bustang | Driving yourself | Elly8.net private car | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price basis | per seat, two tickets | rental, fuel, parking | per vehicle or per hour, fixed |
| Door to door | no, two buses and a transfer | yes | yes |
| Independence Pass in summer | no | yes, if you choose | yes, at the chauffeur's discretion |
| Winter driving | the operator's job | your job | the chauffeur's job |
| Luggage and skis | bus racks and coach bays | depends on the car | SUV up to 6 bags, Sprinter up to 12 |
| Best for | solo, light bags, flexible day | road trips, summer | families, groups, day trips, winter |
Combining Aspen and Vail in one trip
Many guests split a week between the two resorts, and the airports make it easy to plan.
Arrive at Eagle, leave from Eagle. Eagle County Regional (EGE) is about 36 miles from Vail Village and about 69 miles from downtown Aspen. Fixed Elly8.net fares from Eagle start at US$320 to Vail and US$490 to Aspen. Spend the first half of the week in Vail, transfer to Aspen, and fly home from Eagle or Aspen. Our Eagle airport car service guide walks through the arrival.
Mind the 2027 Aspen airport closure. According to Aspen-Pitkin County Airport, the airport will be closed to commercial and general aviation from April 4 to November 19, 2027, for runway work. Summer 2027 visitors to Aspen will arrive by road, and Eagle or Denver becomes the gateway.
Coming from Denver? See our Denver to Vail by private car guide for the I-70 drive, and the Aspen car service page for the fixed DEN to Aspen fare, from US$1,235.
Who should choose what
A solo traveller, summer or winter: RFTA and Bustang through Glenwood Springs. It is cheap and civilised if the schedules line up.
A couple with a week's luggage, moving resorts: a one-way private transfer in a Business Sedan if the bags are light, a Business SUV if there are skis.
A family or group moving resorts: a Business SUV, or an Executive Sprinter for more than six people or six bags.
Guests in one resort spending a day in the other: a full-day chauffeur from either side, or 10 hours by the hour for a ski day.
A summer road-trip fan: Independence Pass, driven yourself or with a chauffeur, with a stop in Leadville.
How to book Aspen to Vail
- Enter the pickup and drop-off in the web booker, with any stops. For a day trip, choose by the hour.
- Choose the vehicle and add passengers, bags, ski bags and child seats (available on request).
- Reserve at the fixed price shown. Confirmation arrives by email, followed by the chauffeur's details.
Rides in Vail and Aspen are operated by licensed, commercially insured local chauffeur partners vetted through the Limousine Worldwide network; Elly8.net takes the booking, fixes the price and runs the 24/7 desk. See Vail car service for Vail fares and private city tours for sightseeing days. Elly8.net is a member of LimousineWorldwide.Directory, LimousineAssociation.International, HotelsWorldwide.Directory and VacationsWorldwide.Directory.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Aspen to Vail?
About 2 hours 10 minutes on a clear road via Glenwood Springs and I-70, roughly 103 miles (166 km). Over Independence Pass in summer the distance is similar but the drive is slower, closer to three hours. Winter storms, crashes and closures in Glenwood Canyon can add time.
Is Independence Pass open between Aspen and Vail?
Only in summer and early autumn. CDOT says the pass typically closes on or near November 7 and almost always reopens on the Thursday before Memorial Day weekend, weather permitting. A storm closure began October 31, 2026. Check COtrip before planning the pass route.
Is there a bus from Aspen to Vail?
Not a direct one. Take RFTA's VelociRFTA bus rapid transit from Aspen to Glenwood Springs, about an hour, then the Bustang West Line from the West Glenwood Park and Ride to the Vail Transportation Center. Check both timetables for the day you travel.
How much is a private car from Aspen to Vail?
The web booker prices a one-way transfer per vehicle for your exact addresses, fixed and all-in with taxes and standard gratuity. For a day trip, an 8-hour full-day chauffeur starts at US$850 from Aspen or US$810 from Vail in a Business Sedan.
Can a Sprinter drive over Independence Pass?
CDOT prohibits vehicles over 35 feet long, and oversized or overweight vehicles, on the pass at all times. An Executive Sprinter is within that length, but the pass is narrow with single-lane stretches, so the chauffeur decides on the day whether the pass or the Glenwood Springs route suits the group.
What is the cancellation policy?
Free cancellation more than 72 hours before pickup. At 72 hours or less the charge is 10%, at 48 hours or less 50%, and at 24 hours or less, or for a no-show, 100%. Refunds go back to the original card.
