Moving from Anchorage to Denver

If you’re moving from Anchorage to Denver, you know that you’ll be in for a big change. Along with these two cities being quite far from each other, they are also quite different in size. While Anchorage has a moderately sized population of 291,826, Denver’s population is quite a bit bigger at 619,968 since it is not only the capital of Colorado but also the largest city in the state. Even though Denver is bigger, it’s certainly not lacking in friendly residents and a welcoming environment! When you move to Denver, you’ll quickly feel right at home!

On your way from Anchorage to Denver and what to expect:

Obviously, traveling from Anchorage to Denver will take a substantial amount of time whether you choose to fly or drive. However, if you choose to drive yourself, you’ll be in for a very long road trip; however, you’ll be passing through many beautiful scenic areas. Anchorage is over 3,200 miles away from Denver, which should take you about two days and 14 hours total to drive. Additionally, if you’re driving, be sure to have either your U.S. Passport or your driver’s license and your birth certificate with you to ensure that you’ll be able to cross the Canadian border. If you’re traveling with children, you’ll also need their birth certificates; and if you’re traveling with pets, you’ll have to get a health certificate that is no more than 30 days old for each pet from your veterinarian as well as a signed and dated certificate that certifies that your pet has a current vaccination against rabies.

Denver’s Weather

The climate in Denver will be much warmer than what you’re used to in Anchorage. Compared to Anchorage’s average yearly temperature of 37 F, Denver’s is much warmer with an average yearly temperature of 51 F. Summers in Denver are usually hot with average high temperatures reaching into the high 80s while winters are very cold with average lows dropping to the mid-teens. Denver also receives a fair amount of snow, although quite a bit less than Anchorage, getting about 53 inches each year.

Transportation in Denver

Whether you choose to drive or take public transportation when moving from Anchorage to Denver, you’ll have an easy time learning how to make your way around Denver. Public transportation is provided by the Regional Transportation District (RTD) which provides, similar to Anchorage’s People Mover, over 1,000 buses that stop at over 10,000 as well as five light rail lines. Although traffic can be a problem, Denver is fairly easy to get around by car. The city is connected to several major roads including Interstates 25, 225, 70, 270, 76 and U.S. Highways 6 and 36 that make getting around the city and nearby much easier.

Denver’s Schools

If you’re moving from Anchorage to Denver with school age kids, education will certainly be on your mind. Fortunately, Denver is home to several great schools! Denver’s public school district, Denver Public Schools, has a total enrollment of over 81,000 students. This is a little bit larger than Anchorage School District’s enrollment of over 48,000; however, it shouldn’t take your children long to adjust to going to school in Denver, and they’ll soon feel right at home! Denver Public Schools is comprised of 73 elementary schools, 16 K-8 schools, four K-12 schools, 16 middle schools, 12 high schools and 30 charter schools. Denver is also home to many great colleges including the private University of Denver and the public research university, University of Colorado Denver.

Arts and Culture in Denver

Similar to Anchorage, Denver has a thriving arts and culture community, and the city offers several different ways to experience it! If you love the performing arts, Denver is home to the Denver Performing Arts Complex which is the second-largest performing arts center in the country next to Lincoln Center and includes ten performance spaces that showcase a Tony Award-winning theatre company, ballet and contemporary dance, opera, a symphony orchestra, chorales, Broadway touring productions and more! Denver is also home to several great museums such as the Denver Art Museum and the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. You’ll never run out of great ways to experience the rich culture that Denver offers!

So, head down to Denver and experience the fun of “The Mile-High City”!

The Best Way to Move from Anchorage to Denver

Alaska to Colorado is quite the long distance move. Depending on the time of year, the drive could be treacherous. If you're looking for an affordable move, check out U-Pack^®. U-Pack handles all the driving, so you can travel without worrying about all of your belongings. Get a free moving quote and find out more.