Hot take: taking the toll road in Denver saved me 40 minutes but cost me $18, and I'd do it again
Last month I tried the free highway route to the airport and sat in traffic for an hour and ten minutes, while the paid express lane got my sister there in 30. Does anyone else just eat the cost when they're cutting it close on a flight?
That $18 gets you more than just time though. Think about what an hour and ten minutes of stop and go does to your gas tank and your clutch. I used to do the free route to DIA until I did the math on how much extra fuel I burned sitting there. The toll ends up being closer to a wash once you add in the wear and tear on your car.