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Trip from Bayfield, CO to Denver, CO

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

Drive Time

7h 13m

Distance

315.3 mi

507 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$48

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 33 min
4 AM
7h 2m ★
6 AM
7h 13m
8 AM
7h 35m
10 AM
7h 21m
12 PM
7h 19m
3 PM
7h 22m
5 PM
7h 34m
8 PM
7h 7m

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 Bayfield, CO, CO

Bayfield, CO

Thirdman

consolidated city-county and capital of Colorado, United States

Denver, CO

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 315.3-mile journey from Bayfield, Colorado, to Denver, Colorado, is estimated to take about 7 hours and 13 minutes of driving time. It's a feasible day trip, with a fuel cost estimate of $48, though you'll want to plan for 2 stops along the way. The route is primarily highway-focused, making for a direct connection between these two points in the Mountain West region. You'll spend most of your time on major roads like US 285 and US 24, with a short portion on Pagosa Street. This drive offers a straightforward path to get you from southwest Colorado to the state capital.

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

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

157.6 miles from Bayfield, CO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 37m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 285 98.5 mi 2h 16m
US 24 73.9 mi 1h 33m
Pagosa Street 57.8 mi 1h 20m
US 160 38 mi 48m
Gunbarrel Road 23.1 mi 33m
Oak Street 13.1 mi 19m
South Santa Fe Drive 3.1 mi 3m
South Logan Street 2.8 mi 5m
Longest stretch: US 285 — 98.5 mi, about 2h 16m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Bayfield, CO and Denver, CO.

1

Start on CR 521

0.3 mi · 32 sec · South Buck Highway
2

At end of road, turn right onto US 160 BUS

219 ft · 10 sec · US 160 BUS
3

Turn left onto CR 501

306 ft · 10 sec · CR 501
4

Turn right onto US 160

38 mi · 48 min · US 160
Use the straight lane.
5

Continue on US 160

2.6 mi · 5 min · San Juan Street
Use the straight lane.
6

Continue on US 160

58 mi · 1 hr 20 min · Pagosa Street
7

Continue on US 160

0.6 mi · 1 min · Grand Avenue
8

Turn left onto CO 112

13 mi · 19 min · Oak Street
Use the left lane.
9

Turn left onto US 285

23 mi · 33 min · Gunbarrel Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
10

Continue on US 285

0.3 mi · 43 sec · 8th Street
11

Turn straight onto US 285

0.3 mi · 40 sec · US 285
12

Turn straight onto US 285

40 mi · 50 min · US 285
Use the straight lane.
13

Continue on US 285

11 mi · 18 min · US 285
14

Continue on US 285

9.7 mi · 15 min · US 285
Use the straight lane.
15

Take the exit onto US 285

0.2 mi · 21 sec · US 285
Toward US 285 North
16

Merge onto US 24; US 285

74 mi · 1 hr 33 min · US 24; US 285
17

Continue on US 285

37 mi · 50 min · US 285
Use the straight / slight left / slight right lanes.
18

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 35 sec
Toward US 85
19

Keep slight left at fork

248 ft · 14 sec
Toward US 85 North
20

Turn left

106 ft · 6 sec
Toward US 85 North
21

Merge onto US 85

3.1 mi · 3 min · South Santa Fe Drive
Use the left / straight lanes.
22

Turn right onto West Mississippi Avenue

0.5 mi · 1 min · West Mississippi Avenue
23

Turn left onto South Logan Street

2.8 mi · 5 min · South Logan Street
24

Turn left onto East 13th Avenue

0.1 mi · 26 sec · East 13th Avenue
25

Turn right onto Sherman Street

0.1 mi · 33 sec · Sherman Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
26

At end of road, turn right

298 ft · 21 sec
27

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the 7-hour, 13-minute estimated duration, starting your drive from Bayfield early in the morning is recommended to make it to Denver within daylight hours. With 2 planned stops and a longest stretch of 98.5 miles on US 285, it's wise to pace your breaks accordingly, perhaps stopping for fuel and a stretch around the halfway mark. The fuel cost is estimated at $48, so factor that into your budget. A practical tip for this route is to check the weather forecast specifically for US 285 and US 24, as mountain weather can change rapidly, especially outside of summer months.

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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 157.6 miles from Bayfield, CO, or about 3h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98.5 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 69 miles or 1h 33m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 157.6 miles or 3h 37m 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 53m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Bayfield, 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.

+

Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Bayfield, CO

This is one driving day of about 315.3 miles and 7h 13m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 69 miles from Bayfield, CO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 285 for about 98.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Aspen, CO

158 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.

Popular next leg

Aspen, CO to Denver, CO

159.1 mi · 4h 10m

Pacing Suggestions

Pagosa Springs, CO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 69 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Cripple Creek, CO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 157.6 miles from Bayfield, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 285 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 98.5 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

Corridor 44 Champagne Bar and Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Denver, Colorado

Near the end, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour $50 to $60 mile 315.3

Hours: 3 pm–2 am

+13038930044

Visit website

Nola Voodoo Tavern

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Denver, Colorado

2.2 mi

Corridor 44 Champagne Bar and Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour $50 to $60 mile 315.3

Denver, Colorado

Hours: 3 pm–2 am

+13038930044

Visit website

Nola Voodoo Tavern

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour Moderately mile 315.3

Denver, Colorado

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+17203899544

Visit website

Tikka & Grill, Nepali and Indian Food

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour Moderately mile 315.3

Denver, Colorado

Hours: 11 am–9:15 pm

+17204767144

Visit website

Civic Center Park

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 315.3

Denver, Colorado

Hours: 5 am–11 pm

+17209131311

Visit website

Big Blue Bear

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 315.3

Denver, Colorado

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Epic Escape Game

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 315.3

Denver, Colorado

+13033776060

Visit website

House Of Immersions

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 315.3

Denver, Colorado

Hours: 2–9:30 pm

+13037441008

Visit website

United States Mint Tour Entrance and Gift Shop

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 315.3

Denver, Colorado

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

+13035729500

Larimer Square

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 315.3

Denver, Colorado

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+17208051973

Visit website

Skyline Beer Garden

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 315.3

Denver, Colorado

+13035346161

Visit website

Daniels & Fisher

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 315.3

Denver, Colorado

Hours: Open 24 hours

+13038770742

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 17

5 decision points cluster between mile 99.4 and 315.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
99.4 mi into trip | ~2h 17m in | CO 112 / Oak Street

Turn left onto CO 112 / Oak Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
6
112.6 mi into trip | ~2h 36m in | US 285 / Gunbarrel Road

Turn left onto US 285 / Gunbarrel Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.
6
308.5 mi into trip | ~7h in

Keep slight left at fork toward US 85 North

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward US 85 North
6
308.5 mi into trip | ~7h 1m in | US 85 / South Santa Fe Drive

Merge onto US 85 / South Santa Fe Drive

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the left / straight lanes.
7
315.1 mi into trip | ~7h 12m in | Sherman Street

Turn right onto Sherman Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$47.51 one way

$95.01 round trip

$3.83/gal 25.4 MPG avg 110 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.05 $50.30 $100.60
premium $4.39 $54.54 $109.09
diesel $5.61 $69.61 $139.23

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$48

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$73–$98

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 110.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 94.6 1 $33.11 $15.13
Efficient EV 78.8 0 $27.59 $12.61
EV Truck/SUV 126.1 1 $44.14 $20.18

Gas CO2

110 kg

EV CO2

37 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 Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Bayfield, CO

Evening in Bayfield on Saturday

Local time

7:26 PM

MDT

Current temp

35°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Denver, CO

Evening in Denver on Saturday

Local time

7:26 PM

MDT

Current temp

46°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

11 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

7h 13m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-focused drive for about 67% of this 315.3-mile trip. The majority of your time will be spent on major arteries like US 285 and US 24. You'll encounter one substantial uninterrupted stretch of 98.5 miles on US 285, which means you'll want to make sure you're fueled up before embarking on it. While the route is largely highway, it connects smaller towns and offers a direct path rather than a winding scenic byway. The character is one of efficient travel, getting you from point A to point B with minimal fuss on well-maintained roads.

67% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 98.5 mi on US 285.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 285 and US 24. You will hit about 17 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 99.4 miles in near CO 112 / Oak Street.

Driving Effort 6/10

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 315.3 miles you will encounter 17 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: at 99.4 miles (CO 112 / Oak Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 112.6 miles (US 285 / Gunbarrel Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 308.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

About the Cities

Arriving in Denver, CO

Full guide →

Denver is the capital of the western U.S. state of Colorado and the dominant city of the Rocky Mountain Region. Founded in 1858 as the placer gold mining camp known as the Cherry Creek Diggings, the "Mile-High City" is today the most populous city within a 560-mile (900 km) radius and the center of the Front Range Urban Corridor of more than five million residents. Denver embraces its cowboy and mining past but also looks toward the future with a vibrant arts and performing arts scene, dozens of great outdoor festivals, and distinct neighborhoods each offering a unique experience. You'll find everything a cosmopolitan city has to offer including a spectacular view of and easy access to the beautiful Rocky Mountains, which arise only 12 miles (19 km) west of the Colorado State Capitol.

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 7h 13m. Total distance: 315.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

7h 13m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 98.5 miles on US 285. 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 Denver, 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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 99.4 miles (CO 112 / Oak Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 112.6 miles (US 285 / Gunbarrel Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 308.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Not recommended in a single day. At 7.2 hours each way, a round trip means 14.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Denver, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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