New nonstop Denver-to-Moab flights take off Oct. 7

I took my first vacation in Moab, Utah this summer, and I am in love! However, getting from Denver to Moab usually means a long drive on I-70, a stop in Grand Junction for gas and snacks, and someone in the back seat asking “are we there yet?” Starting this week, you can get there in about 90 minutes instead.

United Express will start year-round nonstop flights between Denver International Airport and Canyonlands Regional Airport, just outside Moab, on Wednesday, Oct. 7. There will be one or two round trips a day. The first flight leaves Denver at 8 a.m. and lands in Moab at 9:30 a.m. The return flight leaves Moab at 10:10 a.m. and gets back to DIA at 11:35 a.m. So yes, you could technically fly to the desert and be home before lunch. SkyWest Airlines runs the route with 50-seat CRJ200 regional jets, so don’t expect much room in the overhead bins.

Moab sits right between Arches and Canyonlands national parks. It’s known for red rock arches, mountain biking, river trips and some of the best stargazing around. Fall is one of the best times to go, with cooler days and fewer summer crowds. Moab’s tourism director thinks the new flights will get people to stay longer. “There’s a lot more to Moab than you can fit into a day or two,” said Michael Soleta, director of the Moab Office of Tourism.

The flights run year-round, so you can trade a Denver snowstorm for a sunny desert hike this winter.