For a scenic, old highway route, you could take US-40 from SLC all the way to Empire, CO, I-70 to Idaho Springs, north on CO-72 to Blackhawk/Central City for some blackjack, then to Nederland, and down Bolder Canyon CO-119 to Boulder. Within ten miles difference from the all-interstate route across I-70.
Thanks. We did that route last year in reverse. Up to Nederland from Boulder, then down to Idaho Springs. I was last through there in spring of ‘73 when it was a narrow windy road...and no casinos. It was an untouched old mining town, no tourists and very pleasant. I was totally shocked at how ruined and overgrown the area had gotten in almost 40 years.
I’m hoping to find remote, out of the way places, preferably a ranch or guest house for three nights.