Road Trip from Chesapeake, Virginia to Colorado Springs, Colorado: Exploring the Best Attractions

A road trip from Chesapeake, Virginia to Colorado Springs, Colorado is a scenic drive that offers scenic routes in areas that are not often traveled. This trip offers unique experiences where you pass through O'Fallon, IL, which is the halfway point between Chesapeake and Colorado Springs. The trip takes 28 hours and offers a variety of attractions that you will not want to miss.

The Top 5 Things to Do

1. Visit the Rocky Mountain National Park

The Rocky Mountain National Park is located in north-central Colorado and spans over 400 square miles. The park offers a wide range of outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and wildlife watching. The Rocky Mountain National Park is home to an abundant variety of wildlife, including elk, bighorn sheep, black bears, and moose. You can hike on some of the park's 350 miles of trails, with each trail offering spectacular views of Colorado.

Interesting Fact: The park has 77 mountains above 12,000 feet and 60 peaks higher than 13,000 feet.

2. Take a Drive on Mount Evans Scenic Byway

If you're looking for a great scenic drive, then Mount Evans Scenic Byway is a must-stop. It is the highest paved road in North America, rising to an altitude of 14,130 feet. The byway goes through three different life zones, high plains at the start, followed by wooded forests, and finally, alpine tundra. The scenic drive is approximately 28 miles long and is known for its panoramic views of the stunning surrounding mountains.

Interesting Fact: The Summit Lake Park at the top of Mount Evans is the highest city park in the country with an elevation of 12,800 feet.

3. Visit Garden of the Gods Park

Garden of the Gods Park is located in Colorado Springs and offers visitors a unique opportunity to experience sandstone rock formations dating back to over 300 million years ago. The park spans over 1,300 acres and is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. Visitors can drive or hike through the park, with the most scenic drive being through the 2.5-mile Garden of the Gods Loop. The park is also great for rock climbing, mountain biking, horseback riding, and picnicking.

Interesting Fact: The rock formations in Garden of the Gods Park are some of the oldest geological artifacts ever found on Earth.

4. Take a Scenic Drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway

The Blue Ridge Parkway is located in Virginia and North Carolina and is one of the most scenic roads in America. The parkway offers over 469 miles of beauty through mountains, waterfalls, and trails that run from Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina. The parkway offers great hiking trails, educational stops, spectacular views, and plenty of picnic areas. The scenic drive is perfect for nature lovers and those seeking relaxation with beautiful views.

Interesting Fact: The Blue Ridge Parkway is the longest linear park in the United States, stretching through 29 counties and various state-owned lands.

5. Explore the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel

The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel connects the Delmarva Peninsula to the Virginia mainland, crossing the Chesapeake Bay in a distance of 23 miles. It is considered one of the seven engineering wonders of the modern world. The bridge-tunnel is a fantastic marvel that offers breathtaking views of the surrounding water and marine life. The bridge-tunnel also offers interesting stops, such as the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, which has an extensive collection of marine animals.

Interesting Fact: The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel is the largest man-made sea-based project in the world, taking over four years to complete.

Conclusion

Embarking on a road trip from Chesapeake, Virginia to Colorado Springs, Colorado, is an incredibly scenic route with a wide range of beautiful attractions to explore. The trip takes 28 hours and offers a unique experience where you pass through O'Fallon, IL, which is the halfway point between Chesapeake and Colorado Springs. Whether you're into outdoor activities, scenic drives, or unique attractions, this road trip has something for everyone. So pack a bag, hit the road, and get ready for an adventure of a lifetime!