Spanning 289.8 miles across the Colorado landscape, this drive from Aurora to Delta typically takes about 5 hours and 37 minutes behind the wheel. You will primarily navigate via the Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway, the Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway, and US 50 to complete the journey. Given the duration, this route is perfectly manageable as a single-day trip, though you should budget approximately $44 for fuel. Both the start and end points sit within the Mountain West, offering a consistent regional feel throughout the transit. It is a practical trek that gets you from the Front Range to the Western Slope efficiently, provided you are prepared for a turn-heavy local driving experience.
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
144.9 miles from Aurora, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 50m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway
151.8 mi
2h 55m
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
80.8 mi
1h 25m
US 50
20.9 mi
26m
Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
13.2 mi
14m
United States Highway 50
11.7 mi
14m
32 Road
5.4 mi
9m
I 70 BUS
1.8 mi
3m
I 225
1.1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway
— 151.8 mi, about 2h 55m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 22 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~2,585 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,268
Quietest
2 AM
~204 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Aurora, CO and Delta, 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 NorthUse 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 12AToward I 70 West: DenverUse 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
81 mi·1 hr 25 min·Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on I 70
13 mi·14 min·Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
15
Take the exit onto I 70 BUS
1.6 mi·2 min·I 70 BUS
Exit 37Toward I 70 Business, US 6, US 50: Clifton, Grand Junction, DeltaUse the left lane.
16
Continue on I 70 BUS; US 6
0.2 mi·31 sec·I 70 BUS; US 6
17
Turn left onto CO 141
5.4 mi·9 min·32 Road
Use the left lane.
18
At end of road, turn left onto US 50; CO 141
12 mi·14 min·United States Highway 50
Toward DeltaUse the left lane.
19
Continue on US 50
16 mi·18 min·US 50
20
Continue on US 50
4.9 mi·7 min·US 50
21
Turn left onto East 3rd Street
0.1 mi·19 sec·East 3rd Street
Use the left lane.
22
Turn right
283 ft·20 sec
23
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Because this route requires significant focus on local roads, planning for at least one dedicated stop is essential to stay refreshed. Aim to depart early in the day to navigate the turn-heavy sections during daylight hours, which improves visibility and overall comfort. Since your fuel costs will hover around $44, it is wise to monitor your gauge during the long 151.8-mile stretch on the Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway where services may be more spaced out. Use the flexibility of this one-day itinerary to pace yourself, ensuring you take breaks whenever the winding local roads demand a reset. Keep in mind that while the total duration is under six hours, the technical nature of the drive makes rest stops a vital part of your travel strategy.
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 144.9 miles from Aurora, CO, or about 2h 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 64 miles or 1h 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 144.9 miles or 2h 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 4h 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Delta, 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 289.8 miles and 5h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.2 and 257 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
8
249.8 mi into trip|~4h 43m 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...
7
257 mi into trip|~4h 56m 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
$44.19 one way
$88.38 round trip
$3.87/gal25.4 MPG avg101 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$46.97
$93.95
premium
$4.45
$50.81
$101.61
diesel
$4.80
$54.72
$109.44
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 101.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
86.9
1
$30.43
$13.91
Efficient EV
72.5
0
$25.36
$11.59
EV Truck/SUV
115.9
1
$40.57
$18.55
Gas CO2
101 kg
EV CO2
34 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.
Forecast as of Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Aurora, CO
Late night
in Aurora on Sunday
Local time
2:19 AM
MDT
Current temp
94°F
Sunny
E 9 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 4:39PM MDT until July 17 at 6:15PM MDT by NWS Grand Junction CO
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 3:57PM MDT until July 17 at 7:00PM MDT by NWS Grand Junction CO
Destination
Delta, CO
Late night
in Delta on Sunday
Local time
2:19 AM
MDT
Current temp
95°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
WSW 5 mph36% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 4:39PM MDT until July 17 at 6:15PM MDT by NWS Grand Junction CO
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 3:57PM MDT until July 17 at 7:00PM MDT by NWS Grand Junction 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
1 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
5h 37m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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.
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...
14 mi from route
~35 min detour
$25
near mile 249.8
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...
22 mi from route
~54 min detour
$30
near mile 289.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a drive that transitions from major highway stretches into more technical, local road segments. With only 12% of the trip spent on major highways, you will spend most of your time on secondary roads that demand your full attention. The longest uninterrupted portion occurs during the 151.8-mile stretch on the Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway, which provides a steady rhythm before the route shifts character. Once you leave the primary highway segments, be ready for a turn-heavy profile that requires more active steering than a standard interstate cruise. This mix of road types ensures the drive remains engaging rather than monotonous.
Only 12% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
23 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 around 1.2 miles in near East 17th Place.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 289.8 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: at 1.2 miles (East 17th Place): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mountain driving with significant elevation changes
9,460 ft4,801 ft
Total Climb
4,351 ft
Total Descent
4,796 ft
Highest Point
9,460 ft
~62.1 mi in
Elevation Range
4,659 ft
Notable High Points
9,460 ft at ~62.1 miles+314 ft prominence
5,095 ft at ~269.1 miles+136 ft prominence
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 Delta, CO, road signs begin pointing toward Grand Junction along the way.
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
Delta is a town in the Southwestern part of the Rocky Mountains state of Colorado. It is also in the West Elks American Viticultural Area (AVA), a part of Colorado's Wine Country and home to the highest wine vineyards in North America.
Delta is a hub for tourism and recreation, including camping, hiking, fishing, hunting and mountain bike riding. Delta is highly cognizant of preserving its history. The town has more than 20 beautiful murals depicting its fruit orchards and other past times. There are several buildings in town on the National Historic Register, including the Egyptian Theater, an "Egyptian Revival" art deco movie house from the 1920s.
In 2020, it was home to 9,000 people.
Top landmarks
•Egyptian Theatre — movie theater in Delta, Colorado, United States
•Delta County Bank Building — department store in Delta, Colorado
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 37m. Total distance: 289.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
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.
Yes — we found about 16 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 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 Delta, 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 16 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.2 miles (East 17th Place): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Colorado National Monument and Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Delta, CO before the return drive.
