Trip from Aurora, CO to Holyoke, CO

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 21m

Distance

173.3 mi

279 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$26

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min

4 AM

3h 9m ★

6 AM

3h 21m

8 AM

3h 45m

10 AM

3h 30m

12 PM

3h 27m

3 PM

3h 31m

5 PM

3h 44m

8 PM

3h 14m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

Google Maps Waze Apple Maps

Download GPX

Aurora, CO

Wikimedia Commons

city in and county seat of Phillips County, Colorado, United States

Holyoke, CO

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Traveling from Aurora to Holyoke covers 173.3 miles across the Mountain West, making for a straightforward trek that typically takes about 3 hours and 21 minutes. Because this route is highly efficient, it serves perfectly as a one-day trip without the need for an overnight stay. You can expect to budget roughly $26 for fuel, depending on your vehicle's efficiency. By utilizing a combination of Peña Boulevard, the Heartland Expressway, and US Highway 6, you will transition from the Denver metro area into the more rural landscapes of eastern Colorado. It is a practical, no-nonsense drive that allows you to reach your destination quickly while keeping your travel plans flexible.

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

86.6 miles from Aurora, CO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 33m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Heartland Expressway	105.6 mi	1h 45m
US Highway 6	44.3 mi	1h 2m
Peña Boulevard	6.5 mi	7m
E-470	6.4 mi	6m
I 225	1.1 mi	1m
Denver Street	1 mi	1m
1st Street	0.8 mi	1m
West Weston Street	0.6 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: Heartland Expressway — 105.6 mi, about 1h 45m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Aurora, CO and Holyoke, CO.

Start on North Vaughn Street

80 ft · 5 sec · North Vaughn Street

Turn right onto Toledo Street

0.2 mi · 49 sec · Toledo Street

Turn slight right onto East 10th Avenue

257 ft · 16 sec · East 10th Avenue

Turn left onto North Potomac Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · North Potomac Street

Use the straight / right lanes.

Continue on North Fitzsimons Parkway

0.3 mi · 40 sec · North Fitzsimons Parkway

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto East 17th Place

0.2 mi · 29 sec · East 17th Place

Use the straight / right lanes.

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 51 sec

Toward I 225 North Use the left lane.

Merge onto I 225

1.1 mi · 1 min · I 225

Keep slight right at fork

0.7 mi · 57 sec

Exit 12B Toward I 70 East: Limon Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 70

0.6 mi · 45 sec · Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto Peña Boulevard

6.5 mi · 7 min · Peña Boulevard

Exit 284 Toward Denver International Airport Use the straight / right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 13 sec

Exit 6 Toward E470 Toll: Fort Collins Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 53 sec

Exit 6B Toward E470 Toll North: Fort Collins Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min

Exit 6B Toward E470 Toll North Use the straight / right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 56 sec

Merge onto E470

6.4 mi · 6 min · E-470

Use the slight right lane.

Take the exit

1.1 mi · 1 min

Exit 35 Toward I 76 East: Fort Morgan Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 76

106 mi · 1 hr 45 min · Heartland Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 48 sec

Exit 125 Toward US 6: Sterling, Holyoke

Keep slight right at fork

281 ft · 7 sec

Exit 125 Toward US 6 East: Holyoke

Turn straight onto US 6

18 mi · 26 min · US Highway 6

Continue on US 6

0.6 mi · 51 sec · West Weston Street

Continue on US 6

0.2 mi · 16 sec · Railway Street

Continue on US 6

11 mi · 13 min · US Highway 6

Continue on US 6

0.8 mi · 1 min · 1st Street

Continue on US 6

8.0 mi · 11 min · US Highway 6

Continue on US 6

0.4 mi · 39 sec · Dee Street

Continue on US 6

7.8 mi · 11 min · US Highway 6

Continue on US 6

1.0 mi · 1 min · Denver Street

Turn right onto US 385

379 ft · 8 sec · South Interocean Avenue

Turn right onto West Emerson Street

42 ft · 1 sec · West Emerson Street

Arrive at destination

West Emerson Street

Trip Plan

Since this is a relatively quick drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though planning for at least one scheduled stop will help keep you refreshed. Keep in mind that the long 105.6-mile stretch on the Heartland Expressway offers fewer opportunities for quick exits, so ensure you have enough fuel before embarking on that portion of the trip. Budgeting $26 for gas is a solid baseline, but always double-check your tank before leaving the Aurora area. Because the route is compact, you can easily adjust your pace to accommodate weather or traffic conditions. Aim to time your departure to avoid peak congestion leaving the metro area, as this will ensure a smoother transition onto the highway system.

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 86.6 miles from Aurora, CO, or about 1h 33m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 105.6 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 38 miles or 45m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 86.6 miles or 1h 33m 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 37m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Holyoke, 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 173.3 miles and 3h 21m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 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 Heartland Expressway for about 105.6 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

town in Weld County, Colorado, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Lochbuie, CO

87 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

Lochbuie, CO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Fort Morgan, CO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 86.6 miles from Aurora, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Heartland Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 105.6 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

First Dragon Chinese Restaurant

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Holyoke, Colorado

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 173.3

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+19708544772

Visit website

La Familia restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Aurora, Colorado

0.7 mi

J & L Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Sterling, Colorado

2.5 mi

First Dragon Chinese Restaurant

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 173.3

Holyoke, Colorado

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+19708544772

Visit website

La Familia restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Aurora, Colorado

Hours: 9 am–8 pm

+17205243411

J & L Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 123.8

Sterling, Colorado

Hours: 5:15 am–8 pm

+19705223625

Visit website

Sam & Louie's Italian Restaurant & New York Pizzeria

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 123.8

Sterling, Colorado

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+19705262550

Visit website

Santiago's Mexican Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 123.8

Sterling, Colorado

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+19705210179

Visit website

Fiesta Mexican Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 123.8

Sterling, Colorado

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+19705260401

Los Toritos Mexican Restaurant

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour $20 to $30

Aurora, Colorado

Hours: 9 am–11 pm

+13033666381

Wonderful House Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 123.8

Sterling, Colorado

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+19705220101

Visit website

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour

Denver, Colorado

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Loop Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour

Denver, Colorado

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18883856671

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

2.5 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour

Denver, Colorado

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

Central Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour

Denver, Colorado

Hours: 5 am–11 pm

+17209131311

Visit website

Green Valley Ranch East Park

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 12.4

Denver, Colorado

Hours: 5 am–11 pm

+17209131311

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 19

5 decision points cluster between mile 1.2 and 11.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

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.

2.8 mi into trip | ~5m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 70 East: Limon

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 12B Toward I 70 East: Limon

4.1 mi into trip | ~7m in | Peña Boulevard

Keep slight right at fork onto Peña Boulevard toward Denver International Airport

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes. Exit 284 Toward Denver International Airport

10.7 mi into trip | ~15m in

Keep slight left at fork toward E470 Toll North: Fort Collins

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 6B Toward E470 Toll North: Fort Collins

11.3 mi into trip | ~16m in

Keep slight right at fork toward E470 Toll North

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes. Exit 6B Toward E470 Toll North

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$26.11 one way

$52.22 round trip

$3.83/gal 25.4 MPG avg 61 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.05	$27.65	$55.29
premium	$4.39	$29.98	$59.96
diesel	$5.61	$38.26	$76.52

Estimated Tolls: $0.77

E-470 (6.4 mi) $0.77

Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$26

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$52–$77

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 60.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	52	$18.20	$8.32
Efficient EV	43.3	$15.16	$6.93
EV Truck/SUV	69.3	$24.26	$11.09

Gas CO2

61 kg

EV CO2

20 kg (67% 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Aurora, CO

Night in Aurora on Saturday

Local time

10:33 PM

MDT

Current temp

47°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Holyoke, CO

Night in Holyoke on Saturday

Local time

10:33 PM

MDT

Current temp

83°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

36 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 21m 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?

Expect a highway-focused experience, as 87% of this trip takes place on major thoroughfares. The road feels expansive and fast-paced, particularly during the 105.6-mile stretch along the Heartland Expressway, which serves as the backbone of your journey. While the route is designed for speed rather than technical maneuvering, the character of the road stays consistent as you move away from the city. You will spend the vast majority of your time maintaining steady speeds on open highways. It is an ideal path for drivers who prefer a direct, uninterrupted commute over winding, secondary backroads.

87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 105.6 mi on Heartland Expressway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Heartland Expressway and US Highway 6. 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 Effort 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 173.3 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: at 1.2 miles (East 17th Place): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 4.1 miles (Peña Boulevard): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.

Between Aurora, CO and Holyoke, CO, road signs point toward E470 Toll: Fort Collins, E470 Toll North: Fort Collins and E470 Toll North.

E470 Toll: Fort Collins

10.6 mi in | ~15m

E470 Toll North: Fort Collins

10.7 mi in | ~15m

E470 Toll North

11.3 mi in | ~16m

About the Cities

Starting in Aurora, CO

Full guide →

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."

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 21m. Total distance: 173.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 105.6 miles on Heartland Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $0.77 in tolls one way, starting with E-470. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.

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 Holyoke, 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.

Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Holyoke, 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.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Explore more options from Aurora, CO or browse trips ending in Holyoke, CO.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse CO road trips.

Trip from Aurora, CO to Holyoke, CO

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

First Dragon Chinese Restaurant

First Dragon Chinese Restaurant

La Familia restaurant

J & L Cafe

Sam & Louie's Italian Restaurant & New York Pizzeria

Santiago's Mexican Restaurant

Fiesta Mexican Restaurant

Los Toritos Mexican Restaurant

Wonderful House Restaurant

Circle K Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Tesla Supercharger

7Charge Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Tesla Supercharger

Loop Charging Station

EVgo Charging Station

Central Park

Green Valley Ranch East Park

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Aurora, CO

Holyoke, CO

Same local time

36 degrees warmer at arrival

3h 21m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Starting in Aurora, CO

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

How do I pay the tolls on this route?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

Continue From Holyoke, CO

More from Aurora, CO

More trips to Holyoke, CO