Origin
Aurora, CO
Morning in Aurora on Tuesday
Local time
6:23 AM
MDT
Current temp
36°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Aurora, CO to Carbondale, CO
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 45m
Distance
184.3 mi
297 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 33m
★
6 AM
3h 45m
8 AM
4h 11m
10 AM
3h 54m
12 PM
3h 52m
3 PM
3h 55m
5 PM
4h 9m
8 PM
3h 38m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Aurora, CO
Wikimedia Commons
Carbondale, CO
Jacob Moore
Trip Overview
Aurora, CO to Carbondale, CO is 184.3 miles and takes about 3h 45m via Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway, with a fuel budget near $28 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Mountain West region, offering a straightforward drive between two Colorado locales. Given its relatively short duration and the ability to complete it in a single day, it's a practical option for a quick getaway or a functional transit. The route is primarily on highways, making it efficient for covering distance.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
92.2 miles from Aurora, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 50m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway | 151.8 mi | 2h 55m |
| Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway | 14.3 mi | 16m |
| Glen Avenue | 9.8 mi | 15m |
| Midland Avenue | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| I 225 | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| CO 133 | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| North Potomac Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Main Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway
— 151.8 mi, about 2h 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Aurora, CO and Carbondale, CO.
1
Start on North Vaughn Street
80 ft
·
5 sec
·
North Vaughn Street
2
Turn right onto Toledo Street
0.2 mi
·
49 sec
·
Toledo Street
3
Turn slight right onto East 10th Avenue
257 ft
·
16 sec
·
East 10th Avenue
4
Turn left onto North Potomac Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North Potomac Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Continue on North Fitzsimons Parkway
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
North Fitzsimons Parkway
Use the left lane.
6
Turn right onto East 17th Place
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
East 17th Place
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
Toward I 225 North
Use the left lane.
8
Merge onto I 225
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
I 225
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Exit 12A
Toward I 70 West: Denver
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
Toward I 70 West: Denver
11
Merge onto I 70
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
150 mi
·
2 hr 52 min
·
Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 70
14 mi
·
16 min
·
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
14
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
Toward CO 82 East: Glenwood Springs, Aspen
15
Continue on CO 82
390 ft
·
15 sec
·
Laurel Street
16
Continue on CO 82
0.2 mi
·
45 sec
·
Grand Avenue
17
Turn right onto 8th Street
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
·
8th Street
18
At end of road, turn left onto Midland Avenue
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Midland Avenue
19
Enter roundabout onto 27th Street
178 ft
·
3 sec
·
27th Street
20
Continue on 27th Street
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
·
27th Street
21
Enter roundabout onto 27th Street
84 ft
·
2 sec
·
27th Street
22
Continue on 27th Street
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
27th Street
23
Turn right onto CO 82
9.8 mi
·
15 min
·
Glen Avenue
Use the left lane.
24
Turn right onto CO 133
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
CO 133
25
Enter roundabout onto Main Street
223 ft
·
3 sec
·
Main Street
26
Continue on Main Street
0.5 mi
·
53 sec
·
Main Street
27
Turn left onto North 4th Street
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
North 4th Street
28
Arrive at destination
Merrill Avenue
Trip Plan
With a drive time of under 4 hours and a single day recommendation, you have ample flexibility for when to depart. Consider leaving in the morning to maximize daylight and take advantage of the $28 fuel budget, which is quite reasonable for this distance. There's one recommended stop, so plan it strategically along the 151.8-mile stretch on the Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway to break up the drive. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during that longest segment, to ensure you don't need to detour for gas.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 92.2 miles from Aurora, CO, or about 1h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 151.8 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 41 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 92.2 miles or 1h 50m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Carbondale, CO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Aurora, 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 Aurora, CO
This is one driving day of about 184.3 miles and 3h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 miles from Aurora, 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 Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway for about 151.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
92 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 41 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 92.2 miles from Aurora, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 151.8 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 185 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 6 — 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
|
Toledo Street
Turn right onto Toledo Street
Navigation decision point
7
1.2 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
East 17th Place
Turn right onto East 17th Place
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
1.3 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Take the ramp toward I 225 North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 225 North
8
2.8 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 70 West: Denver
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 12A
Toward I 70 West: Denver
6
6 mi into trip
|
~10m in
|
I 70 / Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70 / Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.77 one way
$55.54 round trip
$3.83/gal
25.4 MPG avg
65 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.05 | $29.40 | $58.80 |
| premium | $4.39 | $31.88 | $63.76 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $40.69 | $81.38 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 64.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 55.3 | 0 | $19.35 | $8.85 |
| Efficient EV | 46.1 | 0 | $16.13 | $7.37 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 73.7 | 0 | $25.80 | $11.80 |
Gas CO2
64 kg
EV CO2
22 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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.
Destination
Carbondale, CO
Morning in Carbondale on Tuesday
Local time
6:23 AM
MDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
46°F
Breckenridge, CO
92 mi in
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
22 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 45m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive features a significant highway share, with 100% of the route being on highways, suggesting a predominantly fast-paced journey. The longest uninterrupted stretch spans 151.8 miles on the Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway, meaning you'll have long segments without needing to navigate complex intersections. However, the profile notes it as a 'Turn-heavy local drive,' which might indicate some winding sections or more frequent turns as you approach your destination, despite the high highway percentage. Expect a mix of open highway cruising and potentially more intricate local road navigation towards the end.
Only 1% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 151.8 mi on Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Toledo Street.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 184.3 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Toledo Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.2 miles (East 17th Place): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
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.
On the drive from Aurora, CO to Carbondale, CO, road signs begin pointing toward Aspen along the way.
Aspen
170.1 mi in
|
~3h 19m
About the Cities
Starting in Aurora, CO
Full guide →Founded 1891
Aurora is a city of about 400,000 of the Denver Metropolitan Area in the western U.S. state of Colorado. The city lies immediately east of Denver in Arapahoe, Adams, and Douglas counties. In 2008 it was named the "All American City."
Top landmarks
- • DeLaney Barn
- • Blanche A. Wilson House — house
- • Plains Conservation Center — park in Colorado, United States of America
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 3h 45m. Total distance: 184.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 151.8 miles on Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Carbondale, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Toledo Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.2 miles (East 17th Place): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Carbondale, CO, but most travelers stay overnight.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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