Car Rental in Grand Junction

Renting a car in Grand Junction is the best way to explore the surrounding areas, and see Colorado’s hidden gems. However, you should know a few things before renting a vehicle in Centennial State. 

1. Pay close attention to weather forecasts — Colorado’s weather can change quickly, and although Grand Junction is not in the Rockies, it can still get a snowstorm which will affect road conditions. Whether you plan to stay in Grand Junction, or drive to Glenwood Springs or Southwest Colorado, always check the forecast before getting on the road. 

2. Rent a 4X4 if you plan to explore the backcountry - If you want to venture off the beaten path, and explore Colorado’s stunning backcountry, you need to rent a four-wheel drive because regular sedan cars are not built for Colorado’s high terrain. You will not be able to do off-roading or explore backcountry mountain passes in a regular vehicle.

3. Download offline maps  — phone signals often drop when you go to remote parts of Colorado, which means you need to either know your way around or have a map. If you plan hiking or camping, download an offline map before starting your road trip.

Grand Junction is served by Grand Junction Regional Airport (GJT), which, though being the third-busiest, is actually quite small. You can reach it directly from Denver, Salt Lake City, Dallas, Phoenix, Chicago, Palm Springs, San Jose, and Las Vegas or by connecting through one of those cities.  

Denver International Airport (DEN) is an almost five-hour drive away along I-70, and Salt Lake City Airport (SLC) is slightly closer.

You can reach I-70 from farther away easily as it is directly on I-70 near the border between Colorado and Utah.

Finally, Amtrak's California Zephyr calls at Grand Junction Station on its way between Chicago and Emeryville (next to Oakland) 

Wine country: Grand Junction sits in the middle of Grand Valley, the heart of Colorado wine country. There are more than 20 wineries in the valley, so you could spend days visiting all of them and tasting their wines. Many of them are located in nearby Palisade and the area to the southwest of it.

Grand Mesa Scenic Byway: Starting just 20 miles east of Grand Junction (right off of  I-70), this scenic byway traverses the largest flat-topped mountain in the world. It is 63 miles long, ending in Cedearedge. A popular detour is to take Forset Road 100 to the Land's End Observatory, where you'll get a grand view of much of western Colorado and eastern Utah. The road is partly gravel, though, so check your rental agreement to make sure you aren't forbidden to drive on gravel roads.

Museums: There are a few interesting museums in and around Grand Junction. These include the Museum of the West, where you can get your fill of western Americana; the Cross Orchards Historic Site, where you can see historic buildings and agriculture equipment from over a century ago; and the Dinosaur Journey Museum in nearby Fruita, where you can learn about paleontology and see fossils and reconstructions of dinosaurs.

Grand Junction is the largest city on Colorado’s Western Slope, and it’s located within driving distance to some of the most popular national parks in Western United States, as well as scenic mountain towns. 

Renting a car in Grand Junction is a perfect way to explore the area and get a better feel of what Western Colorado has to offer.

Here’s a quick look at some of the most popular day trips from Grand Junction, Colorado: 

Glenwood Springs 

Distance from Grand Junction: 87 miles

Driving time: 1 hour 18 minutes 

A quick drive along Interstate-70, Glenwood Springs makes for a quick getaway from Grand Junction if you want a change of scenery without driving too far. Glenwood Springs is home to some of the most popular hot springs in Colorado where you can relax after your drive.

If you are visiting Glenwood Springs in summer, try your hand at rafting on the Colorado river and hike to Hanging Lake, a unique place that features waterfalls and a gorgeous mountain lake. A permit is required for visiting Hanging Lake, and it can be obtained online. If you are a beer lover, don’t forget to try some local brews in places like Casey Brewing Taproom or Ball Brewing.

Moab 

Distance from Grand Junction: 113 miles

Driving time: 1 hour 45 minutes 

Moab is Utah’s capital of adventure and you can get there in less than 2 hours from Grand Junction. Moab has gained a lot of popularity thanks to its proximity to some of the best national parks in Utah - Arches and Canyonlands, but there’s a lot more to this town. 

Whether you want to rock climb in Fisher’s Towers, paddleboard or kayak along the Colorado River or go backcountry camping in the La Sal mountains just outside of Moab, this small town in the middle of Utah’s red rock country has it all. Find more things to do in Moab.

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park 

Distance from Grand Junction: 72 miles 

Driving time: 1 hour 20 minutes 

The Black Canyon of the Gunnison is a hidden gem of Colorado, that’s home to many viewpoints along the 7-mile paved road that hugs the South Rim of this stunning canyon. The Black Canyon of the Gunnison makes a perfect day trip from Grand Junction if you want a change of scenery and some relaxation. 

Plan about 2-3 hours for your time in the park. The best way to see this park is by driving your car along the main road from where you can access most overlooks via hiking trails.

Telluride 

Distance from Grand Junction: 126 miles 

Driving time: 2 hours 30 minutes 

Located in the heart of San Juan Mountains, Telluride is one of the most beautiful towns in Colorado. It offers year-round outdoor scenery with hiking, mountain biking and camping in summer and skiing and snowboarding in winter. 

Telluride is a former mining town that boasts a quaint downtown with Victorian houses and is also a home to an annual film festival. If you rent a car in Grand Junction, Telluride is a must-stop. 

Even if you are not into all the outdoorsy activities, you will love the stunning scenery - the town is tucked into a box canyon and is surrounded by a group of 12,000 and 13,000-foot peaks, which is unlike anything you’ve ever seen. Some of these mountains make for a perfect day trip if you are visiting in summer and want to test your stamina. 

Ouray 

Distance from Grand Junction: 96 miles 

Driving time: 1 hour 45 minutes 

Nicknamed “the Switzerland of America,” Ouray boasts a charming downtown, scenic mountain views and unparalleled outdoor activities. 

One of the top attractions of Ouray is Colorado’s Million Dollar Highway, one of the most scenic drives in the country with sweeping views of the mountains and historic mining structures along the way. Summer is the best time to do this drive, because winter often brings dangerous conditions with ice and snow, shutting down the famous road. 

Many travelers come to Ouray because of the Million Dollar Highway, but end up spending a few days in town when they discover a treasure trove of activities like Ouray’s famous hot springs, Box Canyon Falls, and the gorgeous Yankee Boy Basin, one of the highest mountain roads in Colorado, that’s perfect for testing your driving skills.