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Trip from Basalt, CO to Arvada, 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 43m

Distance

178.6 mi

287 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$27

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
3h 31m ★
6 AM
3h 43m
8 AM
4h 9m
10 AM
3h 52m
12 PM
3h 50m
3 PM
3h 53m
5 PM
4h 7m
8 PM
3h 36m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Basalt, CO, CO

Basalt, CO

Jonathan Fuentes

Downtown Arvada, CO, CO

Arvada, CO

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 177.8-mile drive from Basalt, CO to Arvada, CO is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 7 minutes. You'll navigate primarily local roads, with no highway driving involved, suggesting a more intimate journey through the landscape. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $27, making it an economical option. With only one recommended stop, you can be quite flexible with your timing. This route stays within the Mountain West region, offering a consistent feel throughout your travels.

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

89.3 miles from Basalt, CO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 56m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 70 151.4 mi 2h 55m
CO 82 19.1 mi 31m
Two Rivers Road 2.1 mi 3m
Midland Avenue 1.8 mi 3m
Kipling Parkway 1 mi 1m
West 58th Avenue 0.8 mi 1m
West 8th Street 0.4 mi <1m
Kipling Street 0.3 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 70 — 151.4 mi, about 2h 55m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Basalt, CO and Arvada, CO.

1

Start on this road

65 ft · 9 sec · this road
2

Turn left onto Midland Avenue

0.1 mi · 23 sec · Midland Avenue
3

Turn right onto Two Rivers Road

2.1 mi · 3 min · Two Rivers Road
4

Turn right onto CO 82

19 mi · 31 min · CO 82
Use the straight lane.
5

Turn left onto 27th Street

0.1 mi · 14 sec · 27th Street
Use the left lane.
6

Enter roundabout onto 27th Street

86 ft · 1 sec · 27th Street
7

Continue on 27th Street

0.1 mi · 12 sec · 27th Street
8

Enter roundabout onto Midland Avenue

13 ft · 0 sec · Midland Avenue
9

Continue on Midland Avenue

1.6 mi · 2 min · Midland Avenue
10

Turn right onto West 8th Street

0.4 mi · 50 sec · West 8th Street
11

Turn left onto CO 82

0.2 mi · 41 sec · Grand Avenue
12

Continue on CO 82

0.1 mi · 38 sec · Laurel Street
13

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 20 sec
14

Merge onto I 70

151 mi · 2 hr 55 min · I 70
Use the straight lane.
15

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Exit 267 Toward CO 391: Kipling Street Use the slight right lane.
16

Turn left onto CO 391

0.3 mi · 43 sec · Kipling Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
17

Continue on Kipling Parkway

1.0 mi · 1 min · Kipling Parkway
18

Turn right onto West 58th Avenue

0.8 mi · 1 min · West 58th Avenue
19

Continue on Ralston Road

0.2 mi · 39 sec · Ralston Road
20

Turn left onto Carr Street

0.1 mi · 20 sec · Carr Street
21

Turn right onto West 59th Avenue

0.2 mi · 36 sec · West 59th Avenue
22

Turn right onto Ammons Street

426 ft · 16 sec · Ammons Street
23

Turn right

41 ft · 3 sec
24

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the relatively short 3-hour and 7-minute duration, you have a lot of flexibility for when to depart on this 177.8-mile route from Basalt to Arvada. Leaving in the morning will allow ample time to reach your destination and explore once you arrive. The $27 fuel estimate is a good baseline for your budget. Since there's only one stop suggested, plan your restroom and refreshment breaks strategically, perhaps around the halfway point or when you notice a convenient town. Pay close attention to local road signage, as the 'Turn-heavy local drive' profile means you'll be making frequent navigational adjustments.

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 89.3 miles from Basalt, CO, or about 1h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 151.4 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 39 miles or 58m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 89.3 miles or 1h 56m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 3m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Arvada, CO than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Basalt, 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 Basalt, CO

This is one driving day of about 178.6 miles and 3h 43m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Basalt, 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 151.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

town in and county seat of Summit County, Colorado, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Breckenridge, CO

89 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

Glenwood Springs, CO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 39 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Frisco, CO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 89.3 miles from Basalt, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 70 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 151.4 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

Doc Holliday's Saloon and Restaurant

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Glenwood Springs, Colorado

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 25.5

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+19709452388

Visit website

Top Coffee Stop

Hygge Life Shop & Café

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Avon, Colorado

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 76.5

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+19703315745

Visit website

Doc Holliday's Saloon and Restaurant

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 25.5

Glenwood Springs, Colorado

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+19709452388

Visit website

Hygge Life Shop & Café

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 76.5

Avon, Colorado

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+19703315745

Visit website

Doc Holliday's Grave Trailhead

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 25.5

Glenwood Springs, CO

Hours: 6 am–7 pm

+19703846400

Visit website

Woodward Copper Barn

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 102.1

Frisco, Colorado

Hours: 12–8 pm

+18883501544

Visit website

Morrison Natural History Museum

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 165.9

Morrison, Colorado

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+13036971873

Visit website

Clear Creek White Water Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 165.9

Golden, Colorado

Hours: Open 24 hours

+13033848000

Visit website

Argo Gold Mill and Tunnel

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 153.1

Idaho Springs, Colorado

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+13035672421

Visit website

Super Smash Rooms

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 178.6

Westminster, Colorado

Hours: 1–7 pm

+13035580726

Visit website

Colorado Adventure Center - Zipline & Ropes Course

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~10 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 140.3

Idaho Springs, Colorado

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+17207071885

Visit website

Frisco Historic Park and Museum

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 114.8

Frisco, Colorado

Hours: Closed

+19706683428

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 16

5 decision points cluster between mile 2.2 and 175.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
2.2 mi into trip | ~4m in | CO 82

Turn right onto CO 82

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
6
21.5 mi into trip | ~35m in | 27th Street

Enter roundabout onto 27th Street

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

6
21.6 mi into trip | ~35m in | Midland Avenue

Enter roundabout onto Midland Avenue

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

6
24 mi into trip | ~41m in

Take the exit

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

7
175.6 mi into trip | ~3h 36m in

Take the exit toward CO 391: Kipling Street

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 267 Toward CO 391: Kipling Street

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$26.91 one way

$53.82 round trip

$3.83/gal 25.4 MPG avg 63 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.05 $28.49 $56.98
premium $4.39 $30.90 $61.79
diesel $5.61 $39.43 $78.87

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$27

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$52–$77

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 62.5 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 53.6 0 $18.75 $8.57
Efficient EV 44.7 0 $15.63 $7.14
EV Truck/SUV 71.4 0 $25.00 $11.43

Gas CO2

62 kg

EV CO2

21 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Basalt, CO

Late night in Basalt on Sunday

Local time

1:54 AM

MDT

Current temp

39°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Arvada, CO

Late night in Arvada on Sunday

Local time

1:54 AM

MDT

Current temp

46°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

57°F

Breckenridge, CO

89 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

7 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 43m 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 turn-heavy local drive for this entire 177.8-mile journey, as indicated by the 0% highway share. You won't encounter long stretches of high-speed cruising; instead, anticipate a more engaging experience with frequent changes in direction. The longest uninterrupted stretch is not specified, but the 'Turn-heavy local drive' profile suggests a continuous engagement with the road network. This type of driving can feel more connected to the local environment as you pass through various communities and landscapes without the buffer of interstate travel.

96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 151.4 mi on I 70.

How Hard Is This Drive?

3/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 70 and CO 82. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 2.2 miles in near CO 82.

Driving Effort 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 3h 43m drive. You will face about 16 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 2.2 miles (CO 82): Lane positioning matters here; at 21.5 miles (27th Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 21.6 miles (Midland Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.

About the Cities

Arriving in Arvada, CO

Full guide →

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.

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 43m. Total distance: 178.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (96%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 151.4 miles on I 70. 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.

Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.

The main spots that need attention: at 2.2 miles (CO 82): Lane positioning matters here; at 21.5 miles (27th Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 21.6 miles (Midland Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.

Possible but tiring. At 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Arvada, 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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