The Food & Wine Classic in Aspen kicks off this Thursday, and for those making the drive from Denver, here's a road trip guide to make the commute more enjoyable — at least where dining is concerned. There's several ways to get to Aspen from Denver, but for the sake of eating options, we've highlighted places along I-70 up to Glenwood Springs, with a couple options closer to Aspen on the CO-82 stretch. We've skipped fine dining establishments (there won't be any shortage of decadence at the Classic) and opted for more casual go-to spots. Eat up, and safe travels.

Have a favorite stop that we missed? Feel free to add tips in the comments.