Des Moines to Vail Road Trip with Kids: Best Stops & Family-Friendly Tips
Des Moines to Vail road trip in the summer is one of our favorite family adventures. 🚗 🥰
With four kids in tow, we’ve learned how to make the long drive not just manageable, but actually fun.
Breaking up the trip with kid-friendly stops and overnight stays has been a game-changer, turning what could be a tiring drive into an exciting part of our vacation.
If you’re planning a family road trip from Iowa to Colorado, this guide covers the best stops, great overnight stay options, and tips to make the drive easier with kids.
We’ve done this drive numerous times with our four boys, and these are our favorite places to stop between Des Moines and Vail for families! ✨
Best Route from Des Moines to Vail
The Des Moines to Vail road trip is a straight-forward drive that takes just over 11 hours. Here’s how we typically break it down:
- Start on I-80 West: Head out of Des Moines on Interstate-80 west, passing through Omaha, Lincoln, and Kearney, Nebraska, before reaching North Platte.
- I-76 West to I-70 W: As you near Colorado, merge onto I-76 West towards Denver, then take I-70 W all the way to Vail.
✨ If you’re driving from Chicago, you’ll follow the same path but spend more time on I-80 in Iowa.
This route is family-friendly and manageable, even with kids. But no matter how smooth the drive, long travel days can still be exhausting. Check out my How to Survive and Thrive During a Long Travel Day with Kids for tips to keep everyone happy and make the journey easier!
Best Places to Stop on a Des Moines to Vail Road Trip with Kids
Omaha, Nebraska
While I’d love to recommend the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium (one of the best zoos in the country!), it’s definitely a full-day attraction.
If you’re driving from Chicago or further east, Omaha is a great overnight stop where you could squeeze in the zoo if you plan to spend a full day here!
If you want to visit, check out my 4 Valuable Tips for Visiting the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium to make the most of your time there!
For a quicker stop, stretch your legs at one of Omaha’s amazing downtown riverfront parks. They’re perfect for kids to burn off energy before getting back in the car.
Another fun stop? Walk across the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge from Nebraska to Iowa. And don’t miss Omar the Blue Troll under the bridge!
Omaha has plenty of other fun kid-friendly spots too. If you’re looking for more ideas, check out my Top 12 Things to Do in Omaha with Kids!
🏨 Where to stay: Embassy Suites Old Market is our go-to for an overnight in Omaha.
Lincoln, Nebraska
Lincoln is another fun stop! We love seeing different college campuses and the University of Nebraska is no exception!
For lunch, we enjoy Honest Abe’s in downtown Lincoln for the best burgers and shakes! 🍔🥤
Kearney, Nebraska
By the time we hit Kearney (about four hours in), everyone is ready for a real break.
The Great Platte River Road Archway Monument is a must-see!
It stretches over the interstate, which is cool enough, but the museum inside is what really makes it worth it.
There’s a self-guided audio tour that even our younger kids enjoy, but their favorite thing is watching cars zoom underneath the Archway!
Outside, there’s a scenic trail, sculptures, a bridge, and a picnic shelter if you want to eat lunch outside.
🏨 Where to stay: Fairfield Inn & Suites—beautiful, well-run, and has a complimentary breakfast!
North Platte, Nebraska
Right off the interstate, Fort Cody Trading Post is a quirky but fun stop.
It’s packed with unique souvenirs, fun photo ops, and even a miniature display of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show—which is way cooler than it sounds!
Out back, there’s an outside area with a jail, a log cabin, a covered wagon, Native American Muffler Man and more.
It’s the perfect spot to get some fresh air and let the kids run around!
Ogallala, Nebraska
Ogallala is just under seven hours from Des Moines, making it another great overnight option.
This is usually our go-to overnight stop on the way to Vail. 🛏
🏨 Where to stay: Holiday Inn Express—nice, affordable, and right next to Walmart in case you need any last-minute road trip supplies!
Denver, Colorado
Denver has so many great spots, but two favorites with kids are:
- Denver Museum of Nature & Science – If your family loves hands-on exhibits and dinosaurs, this is a great stop. It’s also part of the ASTC Passport Program, which means free or discounted admission if you’re a member of a participating museum (a huge money-saver for us!).
- Paco Sanchez Park – This playground has an epic 1950s microphone-inspired play structure that our kids loved.
Georgetown, Colorado
On our most recent trip, we stopped in Georgetown to ride the Georgetown Loop Railroad—and it was incredible!
I highly recommend doing this with your family!
💡 Pro tip: It might be easier to do this on the way home from Vail. Georgetown is just over an hour from Vail, so plan accordingly. Tickets can sell out, especially during peak seasons, so be sure to book in advance!
Where to Stay Overnight on a Des Moines to Vail Road Trip
Here are our favorite overnight stops:
- Omaha, NE – Embassy Suites Old Market (great for those starting from Chicago or further east)
- Kearney, NE – Fairfield Inn & Suites (fantastic breakfast, super clean!)
- Ogallala, NE – Holiday Inn Express (budget-friendly and convenient!)
- Denver, CO – Ideal if you want to explore the city before heading into the mountains
🌟 How to decide: Choose based on how long your kids can handle being in the car, how much you want to explore, and your budget.
Plan the Perfect Des Moines to Vail Road Trip with Kids
A Des Moines to Vail road trip is an adventure all on its own!
With fun stops in Omaha, Lincoln, Kearney, North Platte, and Denver, the drive can be just as memorable as the destination.
Once you arrive in Vail, there’s so much to do with kids. Check out my Top 30 Things to Do in Vail in the Summer with Your Family for the best activities, or read my Ultimate Guide to a Vail Family Summer Vacation for tips on where to stay, eat, and explore.
Want to make planning your family road trip even easier? 🛣
Download my complimentary Family Travel Itinerary Planner! It’s packed with trip-planning tips, helpful planning tools, and even a customizable itinerary to help you stay organized and stress-free on the road. 👇
May you LOVE your adventure! KW
