We are going to do something different this year…instead of trying to gather everyone at one departure point which means a long detour for some and a short easy run for others, you can depart from your own departure point, whether that be home or a meet up point with fellow DfK folks. After loading and fueling up at your base, drive south to K-Bob’s Steak House in Raton, New Mexico where we will all meet up at noon for lunch and the official beginning of a very special 10th Anniversary Driving for Kids. The food is great and there is plenty of chance for getting to know the other teams and get the goody bags for our official start!
Driving for Kids 2025 - The Overall Route by Day
Day 1 - Friday September 19th- From the Front Range to Chama, New Mexico
We are going to do something different this year…instead of trying to gather everyone at one departure point which means a long detour for some and a short easy run for others, you can depart from your own departure point, whether that be home or a meet up point with fellow DfK folks. After loading and fueling up at your base, drive south to K-Bob’s Steak House in Raton, New Mexico where we will all meet up at noon for lunch and the official beginning of a very special 10th Anniversary Driving for Kids. The food is great and there is plenty of chance for getting to know the other teams and get the goody bags for our official start!
After lunch, we drive through Cimarron, Eagle Nest, Angel Fire and Taos then through some of the most spectacular roads in Northern New Mexico to dinner and our overnight lodging in Chama, NM. Just let those names bubble around in your head for a while and you’ll have an idea what is in store.
Day 2- Saturday September 20th – A Train Trip Back in Time
We are in for a treat today! We will board the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad for a spectacular trip over Cumbres Pass and through the Toltec Gorge to Antonito. We will ride through the unspoiled Rocky Mountain West and on what the readers of USA Today have called the best, and most scenic train ride in America with a lunch stop in Osier as part of the fare. With two crossings of the Continental Divide in just a few hours we’ll head back to our lodging in Chama for the second night stay. No packing and unpacking for us again this year!
Day 3- Sunday September 21st Chama, NM to the Front Range
This third day will have some of the best aspen viewing potential as we depart about 8:00 back west on US 64, then north on US 84 to our quick rest stop in Pagosa Springs. After this, we run east on US 160 over Wolf Creek Pass, to South Fork. Then, we will head north on CO 149 through Creede, over Slumgullion Pass, and down through Lake City. From there we sweep our way past the Blue Mesa to our picnic lunch at Legion Park in Gunnison.
After a quick lunch we rush to our final treat, Cottonwood Pass and Buena Vista. We then take US 285 to Antero Junction. That will let our Denver bound folks choose the best way home while the Colorado Springs folks take US 24 to Woodland Park and home.
That will really finish the Tenth annual Driving for Kids Run. You can be proud that you were with us for another edition of this great event.