An EV Escape
Weekend Road Trip from Denver to Steamboat Springs
I recently decided to try something new for a Colorado weekend getaway and take my first-ever electric vehicle (EV) trip from Denver to Steamboat Springs. As someone relatively new to the EV scene, I was curious to see how it would fare on a spring road trip through Colorado's mountainous landscape. What followed was a weekend adventure full of scenic views, great food and fun, and a newfound appreciation for EV travel.
Friday afternoon marked the beginning of our journey in Denver. With the EV fully charged, our bags packed in the spacious trunk, and the navigation system primed and programmed for Steamboat Springs, it was time to hit the road. The built-in navigation system mapped out plenty of chargers along our route as well as a rough estimate of our battery level in Steamboat. It took all the guesswork out of planning the road trip and made the drive super easy!
After an hour and a half of a smooth, quiet ride, our first stop was in Silverthorne for a caffeine and restroom break and a quick 15-minute charge. I had no idea what to expect, but charging our EV turned out to be even easier than pumping gas. I scanned my phone wallet for payment and plugged in the car in no time. By the time we got back to the car after our break, we had plenty of charge to keep our journey going all the way to Steamboat Springs.
The drive itself is full of stunning mountain views and of course, some tricky Colorado weather. Our EV was an all wheel drive that handled I-70’s winding roads, steep inclines, and surprise snowy weather with ease (and some exciting acceleration I’ve never experienced in another car!) The scenery en route to Steamboat is always stunning, even with a little snow and rain along the way.
Arriving in Steamboat Springs, we checked into our hotel and charged up while eating a creekside dinner. By the time we were ready for bed at the hotel, the car was fully charged for a Saturday of exploring.
We kicked off Saturday with a visit to Steamboat’s historic hot springs, followed by a leisurely stroll through downtown Steamboat Springs exploring shops like the local bookstore, hat maker, coffee shop, and even a Western art gallery.
Later in the day, we ventured up to Steamboat Resort for some live music, soaking in the vibrant atmosphere and aprés ski energy. Such a fun way to wrap up our Saturday adventures!
With the EV charging overnight at the hotel, we woke up on Sunday feeling rejuvenated and ready for our journey back to Denver. After a leisurely brunch we bid farewell to Steamboat Springs and headed home with a full EV charge. On our way out of Steamboat, we pulled over to enjoy the views on Rabbit Ears Pass towering at an elevation of 9,400 feet.
Despite the distance and the inevitable traffic on I-70 on a Sunday, we made it the entire way home to Denver (150+ miles) without needing to stop for a charge. For 2- to 3-hour trips from Denver into the mountains, you likely won't need to stop for a charge until you arrive at your destination.
Overall, I loved how smooth and simple the entire EV experience was.
Navigating to charging stations took no effort on my part and charging was a breeze - as easy as plugging in your phone. And knowing that there were plenty of available chargers along our route and at our destination made the entire weekend worry-free.
Now that I've officially road tripped in an EV, I'm even more excited about the future of electric travel, not just for its convenience, but also for its positive impact on the environment. Here's to more sustainable, smooth-sailing adventures ahead!
Amanda, @theamandabittner, is a creator based in Denver who makes content about fun and creative things to do in and around the state of Colorado.