Planning a trip to Aspen in 2027? Here’s what you need to know about getting there while ASE is closed for its historic modernization project.
If you’ve been following news about the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE), you already know that big changes are coming. The airport is undergoing a long-awaited, voter-approved modernization — and that means a full runway closure. The airport will undergo a one-season closure for runway safety improvements, starting in April 2027 and continuing through November 2027.
That covers the tail end of ski season and the entire summer. For visitors planning trips to Aspen during this window, the question is simple: Which airport do I fly into instead — and how do I get to Aspen from there?
The closure is part of a larger, phased Airport Modernization Program estimated at $575 million. The project’s centerpiece is a new passenger terminal, with the runway reconstruction and shift expected to be completed by November 2027. When the airport reopens, a new terminal is anticipated to be completed by 2029. It’s a significant, long-term investment in Aspen’s future as a world-class destination — but in the meantime, travelers need a plan.
With ASE offline for much of 2027, these four airports become the primary gateways to Aspen. Each has its own trade-offs in terms of distance, flight availability, and ground transfer options — here’s what to know about each one.
~70 miles | ~1.5 hour drive
Eagle County Regional Airport in Gypsum, CO, is widely considered the best commercial alternative to ASE. It’s the closest airport with scheduled airline service and offers a straightforward, scenic drive along I-70 and CO-82 into Aspen. Airlines, including United and American, serve EGE with connections through Denver, Chicago, Dallas, and other major hubs. Many Aspen regulars already use EGE as their preferred backup when ASE is weather-affected — so it’s a tried-and-true option.
The route from EGE to Aspen is well-maintained year-round, though winter travelers should always check road conditions on CO-82 before departing.
~68 miles | ~1 hour 20 minute drive
Rifle Garfield County Airport is the closest airport to Aspen by distance. It will be available for general aviation flights throughout the 2027 closure — making it the natural choice for those traveling by private aircraft. The drive to Aspen follows I-70 E and CO-82 through some of Colorado’s most striking canyon scenery, and at just over an hour, it’s the shortest transfer of the four options covered here.
Rifle is a small, no-frills airport, and ground transportation options reflect that. There are no public transit connections and no meaningful on-site infrastructure for onward travel. For private flyers arriving here, a pre-arranged chauffeur service isn’t a luxury consideration — it’s simply the practical standard for this route.
~130 miles | ~2 hour drive
Grand Junction Regional Airport is a solid choice for travelers who find better fares or more convenient routing than EGE offers. It’s served by American, United, and Delta, with connections to major hubs, and, as a smaller regional airport, it tends to feel less congested and more manageable than larger facilities.
The drive from Grand Junction to Aspen is one of the more dramatic in Colorado. It’s genuinely spectacular, but it’s also a route that demands respect: the canyon is prone to rockfall closures, flash flooding, and sudden weather changes, and CO-82 into Aspen adds its own mountain road considerations. For that reason, the two-hour journey from Grand Junction is one where a professional chauffeur familiar with the route adds real value.
~220 miles | ~3.5–4 hour drive
Denver International is the major hub for travelers coming from across the U.S. and internationally. While the drive is significantly longer, DEN offers unmatched flight availability, competitive pricing, and connections from virtually every major city worldwide. Driving to Aspen from Denver is a scenic trip, about 4 hours in the winter months, via I-70 West to Glenwood Springs and then CO Highway 82 East to Aspen.
In summer, the drive over Independence Pass from the Twin Lakes side is one of Colorado’s great road trip experiences — though the pass is only open roughly late May through late October, weather permitting. This is especially true for international visitors arriving after a long transatlantic or transcontinental flight, where handing the drive to a professional local driver makes all the difference.
