Road Trips from Boulder, CO
Heading out from Boulder this weekend? You've got options ranging from quick, under-an-hour drives to longer hauls that take most of a day. Many routes offer a solid drive score of 8, with a mix of highway and surface roads. If parks are on your mind, a few destinations are within a half-day's drive, including one with access to national monuments. For those looking for a longer escape, there's a route that recommends an overnight stay.
Total Routes
20
Shortest
0.3h
With Parks Nearby
6
Under 2 hours
13 total in this range
Black Forest, CO
1h 51m92.7 mi one way
This 1.9-hour trip to Black Forest, CO, is one of your closest options for visiting a national monument, Florissant Fossil Beds. It’s longer than trips to Castlewood or Dove Valley, but offers a different kind of destination with its park access.
Brush, CO
1h 53m104.9 mi one way
At 1.9 hours and over 100 miles, Brush offers a highway-focused drive. It's one of the longer day-trip options, distinct from the shorter, mixed-terrain drives closer to Boulder.
Thornton, CO
33m21.7 mi one way
Lakewood, CO
43m28.6 mi one way
Englewood, CO
47m35 mi one way
Full-day getaway
Salida, CO
3h 34m153.1 mi one way
This 3.6-hour drive to Salida covers 153.1 miles and features mostly highway. It’s a longer journey compared to destinations like Castlewood or Dove Valley, providing a more substantial road trip experience.
Gypsum, CO
2h 57m144.7 mi one way
Gypsum is a 3-hour drive, but it's characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive.' This offers a different driving experience than the highway-focused routes, covering 144.7 miles.
Buena Vista, CO
3h 2m133.6 mi one way
This 3-hour, 133.6-mile trip to Buena Vista is a highway-focused drive. It’s a solid mid-range option in terms of distance, longer than the nearby towns but shorter than the furthest destinations.
Breckenridge, CO
2h 10m91.8 mi one way
Breckenridge is a 2.2-hour drive covering 91.8 miles, primarily on the highway. It's a longer trip than the closest options but offers a different type of terrain profile.
Weekend trip
Aspen, CO
4h 27m170.3 mi one way
At 4.5 hours and 170.3 miles, Aspen is one of your longest drives. This route has a highway focus and includes park access, making it a substantial outing.
Delta, CO
5h 40m287.6 mi one way
This is the longest drive at 5.7 hours and 287.6 miles, with a highway-focused profile. Notably, it offers access to two national parks, Colorado National Monument and Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park.
Long-haul ideas
Browse by Mood
Black Forest, CO
1h 51m92.7 mi one way
Aspen, CO
4h 27m170.3 mi one way
Delta, CO
5h 40m287.6 mi one way
Salida, CO
3h 34m153.1 mi one way
When to Go
Spring
Spring offers opportunities for drives to areas with parks like Florissant Fossil Beds, though conditions can vary.
Summer
Summer is ideal for longer drives to destinations with park access, such as Aspen or Delta.
Fall
Fall colors might enhance the highway drives, especially on routes like the one to Aspen.
Winter
Winter travel might be best suited for shorter, highway-focused drives like to Wheat Ridge or Dove Valley.
Starting Somewhere Else?
Other nearby cities with their own escape planners.
Ready to plan?
Pick any destination above for full turn-by-turn directions, fuel cost, rest stops, and weather. Or visit the Boulder, CO city hub for all incoming and outgoing routes.