If you’re going to San Francisco, you’ll want to be sure to wear some flowers in your hair — at least for part of the 20 or so hours and 1,300 or so miles it’ll take you to drive there from Denver. Binding two of the most progressive and interesting cities in the American West, the one-way RV route from the Mile High City to the Bay offers a truly epic adventure, no matter which of the multiple available routes you take. RVing this drive is easily the best way to see it — after all, twenty hours on the road is no joke, and having all the creature comforts of home with you will ensure you stay comfortable, well-fed and have great sleep at every stop along the way. Better yet, one-way RV rentals can sometimes be even more affordable than others, and there are many to choose from in Denver.
Why Is This Route Popular?
No matter which route you take, the drive from Denver to San Francisco takes you deep into the heart of the U.S. west, winding you past gems that are hard to access in any other manner. For instance, the northernmost route passes through Wyoming’s Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest as well as Salt Lake City, as well as some of the most sparsely populated (and darkest-skied) areas of Nevada. The most direct route by mileage winds you straight through the center of Utah and Nevada, giving you the opportunity to explore Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest before stopping in Reno for some urban adventures. (You’ll also be a stone’s throw from Lake Tahoe when you cross the border into California.) And finally, the southernmost route winds you down through Las Vegas and some of southern California’s best-kept secrets, including the Mojave National Preserve, before you follow I-5 north through Bakersfield. All along the way, of course, you’ll discover incredible campgrounds where you can stay cozy and content.
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