Bike path access
0 mi from route
Trip from Arvada, CO to Ouray, CO
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 33m
Distance
330.1 mi
531 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$56
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 21m
★
6 AM
6h 34m
8 AM
6h 58m
10 AM
6h 42m
12 PM
6h 40m
3 PM
6h 43m
5 PM
6h 57m
8 PM
6h 26m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Arvada, CO
Wikimedia Commons
Ouray, CO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Arvada to Ouray is 330.1 miles and takes about 6h 33m via I 70 and South Townsend Avenue, with a fuel budget near $56 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Colorado, moving from the Mountain West region to another part of the Mountain West. Given its mostly highway profile and single-day recommendation, this is a straightforward trip. You'll spend most of your time on major roads, making it a practical option if you want to reach your destination efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
165.1 miles from Arvada, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 5m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 70 | 230.9 mi | 4h 16m |
| South Townsend Avenue | 36.3 mi | 50m |
| Main Street | 20.8 mi | 27m |
| US 50 | 14.8 mi | 17m |
| United States Highway 50 | 11.7 mi | 14m |
| 32 Road | 5.4 mi | 9m |
| G Road | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| G50 Road | 2.2 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
I 70
— 230.9 mi, about 4h 16m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 32 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,409 veh/hr typical · worst 2,083
Quietest
2 AM
~77 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
18.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 105 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arvada, CO and Ouray, CO.
1
Start on this road
41 ft
·
5 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto Ammons Street
227 ft
·
9 sec
·
Ammons Street
3
Turn right onto Ralston Road
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Ralston Road
4
Continue on West 58th Avenue
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West 58th Avenue
5
Turn left onto Kipling Parkway
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Kipling Parkway
Use the left lane.
6
Continue on CO 391
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
Kipling Street
Use the left lane.
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
Toward I 70 West
8
Merge onto I 70
231 mi
·
4 hr 16 min
·
I 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit onto I 70 BUS
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
I 70 BUS
Exit 37
Toward I 70 Business, US 6, US 50: Clifton, Grand Junction, Delta
Use the left lane.
10
Continue on I 70 BUS; US 6
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
I 70 BUS; US 6
11
Turn left onto CO 141
5.4 mi
·
9 min
·
32 Road
Use the left lane.
12
At end of road, turn left onto US 50; CO 141
12 mi
·
14 min
·
United States Highway 50
Toward Delta
Use the left lane.
13
Continue on US 50
15 mi
·
17 min
·
US 50
14
Turn right onto G50 Road
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
G50 Road
Use the right lane.
15
Continue on G Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
G Road
16
Continue on G Road
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
G Road
17
Continue on West 5th Street
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
West 5th Street
18
Turn right onto Confluence Drive
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Confluence Drive
19
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
20
Merge onto US 50
21 mi
·
27 min
·
Main Street
Use the straight lane.
21
Continue on US 550
36 mi
·
50 min
·
South Townsend Avenue
Use the left lane.
22
Turn left onto 6th Avenue
12 ft
·
0 sec
·
6th Avenue
23
Arrive at destination
6th Avenue
Trip Plan
Starting early from Arvada is a good idea to maximize daylight, especially since this route is designed for a single day. The majority of this drive is on I 70, so you can cover a lot of ground quickly. Plan your longest stretch of driving, 230.9 miles on I 70, to be completed before you anticipate needing a significant break. Keep an eye on fuel, with an estimated cost of $56, and consider filling up before leaving the main interstate stretches. The route involves a shift from highway to surface streets, so be ready to adjust your speed and awareness as you get closer to Ouray.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 165.1 miles from Arvada, CO, or about 3h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 230.9 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 73 miles or 1h 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 165.1 miles or 3h 5m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ouray, CO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Arvada, CO so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Arvada, CO
This is one driving day of about 330.1 miles and 6h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 73 miles from Arvada, CO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 70 for about 230.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
165 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 73 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 165.1 miles from Arvada, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 70 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 230.9 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
CDOT Rest Area: Bair Ranch
0 mi from route
CDOT Rest Area: Edwards
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
CDOT Rest Area: No Name
0.1 mi from route
Grizzly Creek
0.1 mi from route
CDOT Rest Area: Hanging Lake
0.1 mi from route
CDOT Rest Area: Vail Pass
0.1 mi from route
Golden Gate Gas
0.1 mi from route
Golden Gate Gas
0.1 mi from route
CDOT Rest Area: Rifle
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Edwards Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Rest Area
1.5 mi from route
Frisco Historic Park and Museum
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
2.1 mi from route
~5 min detour
Frisco, Colorado
Hours: Closed
+19706683428
Visit websiteBachelor Syracuse Mine Tour
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2.6 mi from route
~6 min detour
Ouray, Colorado
+19703250220
Visit websiteSuper Smash Rooms
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, ~9 min detour
3.7 mi from route
~9 min detour
Westminster, Colorado
Hours: 1–7 pm
+13035580726
Visit websiteWoodward Copper Barn
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Early in the drive, ~10 min detour
Early stretch
3.8 mi from route
~10 min detour
Frisco, Colorado
Hours: 12–8 pm
+18883501544
Visit websiteArgo Gold Mill and Tunnel
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, ~12 min detour
First break
4.9 mi from route
~12 min detour
Idaho Springs, Colorado
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+13035672421
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 241.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Ammons Street
Turn right onto Ammons Street
Navigation decision point
5
2.9 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
I 70
Merge onto I 70
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
233.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 22m in
|
I 70 BUS
Take the exit onto I 70 BUS toward I 70 Business, US 6, US 50: Clifton, Grand Junction, Delta
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Exit 37
Toward I 70 Business, US 6, US 50: Clifton, Gra...
5
235.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 25m in
|
CO 141 / 32 Road
Turn left onto CO 141 / 32 Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
241.1 mi into trip
|
~4h 34m in
|
US 50; CO 141 / United States Highway 50
At end of road, turn left onto US 50; CO 141 / United States Highway 50 toward Delta
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward Delta
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$56.23 one way
$112.47 round trip
$4.33/gal
25.4 MPG avg
116 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.58 | $59.47 | $118.94 |
| premium | $4.90 | $63.73 | $127.47 |
| diesel | $6.18 | $80.30 | $160.61 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$56
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$81–$106
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 115.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 99 | 1 | $34.66 | $15.84 |
| Efficient EV | 82.5 | 0 | $28.88 | $13.20 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 132 | 1 | $46.21 | $21.13 |
Gas CO2
115 kg
EV CO2
39 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Arvada, CO
Late night in Arvada on Saturday
Local time
4:25 AM
MDT
Current temp
32°F
Mostly Clear
SE 3 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 12:33AM MDT until October 16 at 9:00AM MDT by NWS Pueblo CO
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 12:33AM MDT until October 16 at 9:00AM MDT by NWS Pueblo CO
Destination
Ouray, CO
Late night in Ouray on Saturday
Local time
4:25 AM
MDT
Current temp
29°F
Mostly Clear
SSE 0 to 10 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 12:33AM MDT until October 16 at 9:00AM MDT by NWS Pueblo CO
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 12:33AM MDT until October 16 at 9:00AM MDT by NWS Pueblo CO
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
3 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 33m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park
National Park
Big enough to be overwhelming, yet still intimate enough to feel the pulse of time. Come see some of the steepest cliffs, oldest rock, and craggiest spires in North America. Forces of nature and the G...
12 mi from route
~29 min detour
$30
near mile 296
Caution: Stage 1 Fire Restrictions in Effect
Colorado National Monument
National Monument
Colorado National Monument preserves one of the grand landscapes of the American West. But this treasure is much more than a monument. Towering monoliths exist within a vast plateau and canyon panoram...
13 mi from route
~31 min detour
$25
near mile 239.1
View on nps.gov
Curecanti National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
Three reservoirs and surrounding lands make up this recreation area in western Colorado. It is a landscape of tradeoffs; natural and human made features exist together. Geologic wonders are abundant f...
26 mi from route
~66 min detour
Free
near mile 307.4
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is 79% highway, meaning you'll be on Interstate 70 for a significant portion of the drive. The longest stretch on a single highway is 230.9 miles on I 70. You'll transition from highway cruising to surface roads like South Townsend Avenue and Main Street as you approach and enter Ouray. Expect a change in pace and potentially more local traffic as you leave the interstate.
79% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 230.9 mi on I 70.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 70 and South Townsend Avenue. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Ammons Street.
Driving Effort
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 330.1 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Ammons Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.9 miles (I 70): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 233.8 miles (I 70 BUS): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mountain driving with significant elevation changes
9,595 ft
4,705 ft
Total Climb
7,328 ft
Total Descent
4,891 ft
Highest Point
9,595 ft
~47.2 mi in
Elevation Range
4,891 ft
Notable High Points
9,595 ft at ~47.2 miles
+298 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Arvada, CO and Ouray, CO, road signs point toward Grand Junction and Delta.
Grand Junction
233.8 mi in
|
~4h 22m
|
via I 70 BUS
Delta
233.8 mi in
|
~4h 22m
|
via I 70 BUS
About the Cities
Starting in Arvada, CO
Full guide →Founded 1859
Arvada is a city of about 125,000 in the Denver Metropolitan Area of the U.S. state of Colorado. A former farming community in Jefferson and Adams counties, the city is now a residential suburb of Denver. Olde Town Arvada lies 7 miles (11 km) northwest of the Colorado State Capitol and 9 miles (14 km) east of the Front Range foothills.
Top landmarks
- • Arvada Flour Mill — historic mill in Arvada, Colorado, USA
- • Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities — art center in Arvada, Colorado
Arriving in Ouray, CO
Full guide →Ouray is a small town in Southwestern Colorado, magnificently situated in the San Juan Mountains and nicknamed "The Switzerland of America" for its scenery and outdoor recreational opportunities.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 33m. Total distance: 330.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 33m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (79%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 230.9 miles on I 70. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 15 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This is a long drive, so arriving tired and in the dark compounds. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Ouray, CO before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 15 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Ammons Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.9 miles (I 70): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 233.8 miles (I 70 BUS): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park, Colorado National Monument and Curecanti National Recreation Area. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.6 hours each way, a round trip means 13.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Ouray, CO before the return drive.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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