Leave Salt Lake City around 8 a.m. and take I-15 south to US-6 east, then US-191 south to Moab. It’s roughly 4–4.5 hours of driving without stops; allow closer to five hours with a fuel or restroom break. The route crosses open, sparsely serviced stretches, so top off your tank and bring water before leaving. Stop for lunch at Ray’s Tavern in Green River, about three hours into the drive: it’s a no-frills local favorite for burgers, with meals around $15–25 per person. Budget 45–60 minutes, and check its hours before setting out.
After reaching Moab, check in and take a breather, then drive north to Lions Park, beside the Colorado River and the historic bridge. It’s a good low-key leg-stretcher after the road: wander the riverbank or take a short walk, and give it about 30–45 minutes. Parking and access are generally free; bring a light layer, since the river can feel cooler in the evening.
Head back into central Moab for dinner at Moab Brewery, an easy, relaxed choice for hearty food and locally made beer. Expect about $20–35 per person and allow 1–1.5 hours; dinner can get busy, so arriving a little early is helpful. Check current hours, especially if your arrival runs late, then keep the evening unhurried—you’ve got an early start to the scenery tomorrow.
Get an early start for Arches National Park—aim to be at the entrance around 7:30 a.m. so you have cooler trail conditions and a better chance of finding parking at popular stops. Spend about four hours among the park’s signature formations, choosing a few short walks rather than trying to cover everything; trailhead lots can fill quickly. Check the park’s official site shortly before your visit for current access rules, road conditions, and any timed-entry requirement, and have your entrance pass or fee payment ready. Allow roughly 10–15 minutes to drive back into town.
For lunch, head to Quesadilla Mobilla in central Moab for a filling food-truck meal—budget about $10–20 per person and around 45 minutes. Confirm the truck’s hours and location on the day, since food-truck schedules can change. Then drive about 35–40 minutes west to Dead Horse Point State Park; give yourself 1–1½ hours for the overlook and a short stretch of the rim trail. Continue roughly 30 minutes to Canyonlands National Park’s Island in the Sky district. With 1½–2 hours here, make Grand View Point your focus and allow extra time for the scenic drive and parking. In early October, sunset comes fairly early, so keep an eye on the clock and check the day’s sunset time before setting out.
After a full day, return to Moab for dinner at Desert Bistro. It’s a good place to slow down over a more leisurely meal; plan on about 1½ hours and $35–60 per person, and reserve ahead if possible. The drive back from Island in the Sky is about 40 minutes, so factor that in when choosing a dinner reservation time.
Leave Moab around 7–8 a.m. for Glenwood Springs; the drive via US-191 and I-70 takes roughly 4–4.5 hours without long stops. Check COTrip.org before setting out, especially for I-70 conditions, and plan a break along the way. Arriving around noon leaves time for the afternoon without needing to rush.
After checking in, head to the Glenwood Canyon Recreation Path for an easy 1–1.5-hour stroll or bike ride beside the Colorado River. Then drive to Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park and take the gondola up for cave tours and mountain views; allow 2–3 hours. October hours and gondola operations can be seasonal, so check the park’s schedule and tour availability before you go.
Wind down at Iron Mountain Hot Springs, along the river in town. Set aside 1.5–2 hours, bring a swimsuit, and check current admission and reservation requirements before arriving. For dinner, Riviera Scratch Kitchen downtown is an easy next stop; expect about $25–45 per person and roughly 1–1.5 hours for the meal.
Leave Glenwood Springs around 8 a.m. and follow I-70 east toward Denver. The drive is about three hours in good conditions, but mountain weather, construction, or weekend traffic can add time; check COTrip.org before setting out and keep a warm layer handy for a roadside stop. Late morning, pull off in Georgetown for a 45–60-minute leg stretch: stroll its historic Main Street, browse the storefronts, and grab a coffee if you’d like a quick pick-me-up before continuing east.
After arriving in Denver, spend about 45 minutes at Denver Union Station in Lower Downtown. The restored train hall is a lively place to wander and take a breather; allow extra time to park, since downtown garages can be pricey. From there, a rideshare or taxi is the easiest link to the Denver Art Museum in Civic Center. Plan around two hours for the galleries and its striking architecture; it’s generally open Sundays 10 a.m.–5 p.m., but check current hours and ticket prices before you go.
Finish at Work & Class in RiNo, where Latin-inspired comfort food makes a fun, relaxed end to the road trip. Allow about 1½ hours and budget roughly $30–50 per person; reservations are a good idea, especially on a Sunday. From the museum, take a rideshare or taxi rather than moving the car through downtown traffic, and check the restaurant’s current Sunday hours before heading over.
No packing list attached yet.