MILES
626
STOPS
5
ORIGIN
Manhattan, KS
DESTINATION
Eagle, CO
DRIVE TIME
~9.5 hrs
TOTAL TIME
~13 hrs
We wanted to get on the road as early as possible today, knowing this would be one of our longest days in the car. The stretch along I-70 through Kansas can be, charitably, a bit monotonous—but we managed to find enough stops along the way to break the drive into manageable chunks. We started the day with a quick Chick-fil-A breakfast in Manhattan before heading west.
Today would also mark the only stretch of genuinely bad weather we encountered on the entire trip: about two hours of steady rain between Manhattan and just past Salina, Kansas. We were also hoping to make it past Denver before rush hour… that didn’t happen.
Our goal was to reach Eagle, Colorado by evening so we could grab dinner and get some rest ahead of the Hanging Lake hike scheduled for the next morning—the marquee hike of the trip.
🛑 Stop 1: Salina, Kansas
We had originally planned to stop in Hays and Oakley, Kansas, but the rain forced a change of plans. Instead, we pulled into Salina and waited for the worst of the weather to pass.
Ironically, I was glad the rain redirected us. Even from the car, we caught glimpses of some impressive street art and murals. Had the weather cooperated, we definitely would have spent more time walking around town.
We grabbed coffee at Ad Astra Books & Coffee, which alone made the stop worthwhile. The staff and patrons were friendly and welcoming, and the drinks were excellent—Ari declared her iced latte the best she’d had so far on the trip.
As we were leaving town, we spotted one of the most striking murals I’ve ever seen: The Mural at the Mill, a 100-foot-tall piece wrapping three sides of the old H.D. Lee Flour Mill. The work was completed in 2021 by Australian artist Guido van Helten and is an unforgettable sight, even from the road.
In hindsight, Salina would have been a great overnight stop—shortening the day and allowing more time to explore the town’s art scene. Hindsight, once again.
🛑 Stop 2: Goodland, Kansas
We made a quick stop in Goodland, Kansas, to see the world’s largest easel. By the time we arrived, the rain had cleared, giving us a chance to stretch our legs and admire Van Gogh’s Sunflowers towering above the plains.
We had originally planned to eat lunch in Goodland, but delays from the rain and our time in Salina pushed us behind schedule. We decided to press on to Limon, Colorado instead. We also skipped a planned detour to Oakley’s Monument Rocks, as the added time would have meant driving well after dark.
We planned a quick stop in Goodland, KS so that we could see the world largest easel. By the time we reached Goodland the rain was gone so we were able to enjopy a quick leg strech and enjoy Van Gogh’s Sunflowers. We had originally planned to have lunch here but opted to push on to Limon for a “late” lunch; The rain, along with the stop in Salina, delayed us a bit. We had also planned to visit Oakley’s Monument Rocks but the detour would have added nearly 2 hours to opur drive, and we did not want to drive at night.
🛑 Stop 3: Limon, Colorado
Lunch came late in Limon, Colorado, where we stopped at Oscar’s Bar and Grille. The pizza was solid, the service excellent, and the stop well timed.
Oscar’s is known for its extensive spirits list—over 400 whiskies, 100+ tequilas, and dozens of beers. If you’re planning to sample more than one, I’d strongly recommend staying at the Comfort Inn next door. We also topped off the gas tank here to start the next day with a full tank.
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The World's Largest Easel
The World’s Largest Painting on and Easel, in Goodland, KS, is a reproduction of Van Gogh’s Three Sunflowers in a Vase. The artwork measures 24’ x 32’ and stands about 80’ tall.
🛑 Stop 4: Georgetown Lake, Colorado
Nearly eleven hours into the day, we reached Georgetown Lake, and it felt like a reward. Stretching our legs beside the lake, surrounded by mountain scenery, was a welcome change after so much time in the car.
Georgetown is also known for its bighorn sheep, which often roam the hillsides around town during cooler months. It’s not uncommon to see them across the interstate or even wandering through town in winter—though we didn’t spot any on this visit.
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Georgetown Lake
Georgetown Lake is a 55 acre reservoir located next to the city of the same name. Georgetown Lake is a popular stop along I-70. It was great to stop and walk around the 1+ mile around the perimeter of the lake before our last leg of the drive.
🛑 Final Stop: Eagle, Colorado
We arrived in Eagle, Colorado shortly after 8 p.m. and checked into our hotel, the Wingate by Wyndham. With our last meal having been around 3 p.m., we were more than ready for dinner.
On the recommendation of a former Eagle resident, we headed to Casa Mexico. And since I had a designated driver, I treated myself to an Esteban Margarita—a well-earned end to a long day.
