Origin
Boulder, CO
Late night in Boulder on Wednesday
Local time
2:48 AM
MDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Boulder, CO to Gunnison, CO
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 2, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 2m
Distance
211.7 mi
341 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$36
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 49m
★
6 AM
5h 2m
8 AM
5h 29m
10 AM
5h 12m
12 PM
5h 9m
3 PM
5h 13m
5 PM
5h 28m
8 PM
4h 54m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Boulder, CO
Wikimedia Commons
Gunnison, CO
Ken Jacobsen
Trip Overview
Boulder to Gunnison is 211.7 miles and takes about 5h 2m via US 285 and US 50, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Colorado, connecting two points in the Mountain West region. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, making it a straightforward drive. With just one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, this route is well-suited for a single day of travel.
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
105.8 miles from Boulder, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 26m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 285 | 122.5 mi | 2h 47m |
| US 50 | 59.4 mi | 1h 28m |
| South Foothills Highway | 8.3 mi | 12m |
| CO 93 | 7.5 mi | 11m |
| CO 470 | 6.2 mi | 7m |
| Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway | 2.9 mi | 4m |
| Broadway | 2.2 mi | 4m |
| 28th Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
US 285
— 122.5 mi, about 2h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Boulder, CO and Gunnison, CO.
1
Start on this road
87 ft
·
6 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto 19th Street
143 ft
·
13 sec
·
19th Street
3
Turn left onto Arapahoe Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Arapahoe Avenue
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
4
Turn right onto US 36
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
28th Street
5
Turn straight
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
Toward Baseline Road
6
Keep slight left at fork
381 ft
·
15 sec
Toward Baseline Road, Broadway South
Use the left lane.
7
Continue on 27th Way
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
27th Way
Use the left / straight lanes.
8
At end of road, turn left onto CO 93
2.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Broadway
Use the left lane.
9
Continue on CO 93
8.3 mi
·
12 min
·
South Foothills Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Continue on CO 93
7.5 mi
·
11 min
·
CO 93
Use the left / straight lanes.
11
Continue on US 6
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
Use the straight lane.
12
Turn right onto CO 470
6.2 mi
·
7 min
·
CO 470
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 5A
Toward US 285 South: Fairplay
Use the slight right lane.
14
Merge onto US 285
101 mi
·
2 hr 13 min
·
US 285
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
At end of road, turn left onto US 285
11 mi
·
17 min
·
US 285
16
Continue on US 285
9.9 mi
·
15 min
·
US 285
17
Turn sharp right onto US 50
59 mi
·
1 hr 28 min
·
US 50
Use the straight lane.
18
Turn right onto North Iowa Street
520 ft
·
22 sec
·
North Iowa Street
19
Arrive at destination
North Iowa Street
Trip Plan
Aim to depart Boulder in the morning to take advantage of the full daylight for your 5-hour drive to Gunnison. With only one recommended stop and most of the route on US 285, you can be flexible with your timing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 122.5-mile stretch on US 285, as services might be less frequent. The estimated fuel cost is around $35, so plan accordingly before you leave.
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 105.8 miles from Boulder, CO, or about 2h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 122.5 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 47 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 105.8 miles or 2h 26m 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 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gunnison, CO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Boulder, 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 Boulder, CO
This is one driving day of about 211.7 miles and 5h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Boulder, 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 US 285 for about 122.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
106 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 47 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 105.8 miles from Boulder, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 285 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 122.5 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 125 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 29.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Arapahoe Avenue
Turn left onto Arapahoe Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
9
1.6 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Baseline Road, Broadway South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward Baseline Road, Broadway South
5
1.9 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
CO 93 / Broadway
At end of road, turn left onto CO 93 / Broadway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
29 mi into trip
|
~44m in
Take the exit toward US 285 South: Fairplay
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 5A
Toward US 285 South: Fairplay
5
29.7 mi into trip
|
~45m in
|
US 285
Merge onto US 285
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.72 one way
$71.44 round trip
$4.29/gal
25.4 MPG avg
74 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $37.70 | $75.40 |
| premium | $4.89 | $40.74 | $81.48 |
| diesel | $5.60 | $46.67 | $93.33 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 74.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 63.5 | 0 | $22.23 | $10.16 |
| Efficient EV | 52.9 | 0 | $18.52 | $8.47 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 84.7 | 1 | $29.64 | $13.55 |
Gas CO2
74 kg
EV CO2
25 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
Gunnison, CO
Late night in Gunnison on Wednesday
Local time
2:48 AM
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
1 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 2m 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.
Curecanti National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
Three reservoirs and surrounding lands make up this recreation area in western Colorado. It is a landscape of tradeoffs; natural and human made features exist together. Geologic wonders are abundant f...
23 mi from route
~56 min detour
Free
near mile 211.7
Danger: Toxic Algae Found – Blue Mesa Water Quality Advisory
Caution: Stage 1 Fire Restrictions in Effect
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is primarily highway driving, with 92% of the 211.7 miles on major roads. You'll encounter a long stretch of 122.5 miles on US 285 without needing to turn. After that, the route shifts to surface roads, indicated by the remaining 8% of the drive. Expect mostly rural cruising with some potential for merging onto busier sections as you approach towns.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 122.5 mi on US 285.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 285 and US 50. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Arapahoe Avenue.
Driving Effort
5/10
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 211.7 miles you will encounter 12 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: near the start (Arapahoe Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.9 miles (CO 93 / Broadway): Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mountain driving with significant elevation changes
10,226 ft
5,319 ft
Total Climb
7,735 ft
Total Descent
5,350 ft
Highest Point
10,226 ft
~166.3 mi in
Elevation Range
4,906 ft
Notable High Points
8,445 ft at ~45.4 miles
+463 ft prominence
9,984 ft at ~75.6 miles
+406 ft prominence
9,287 ft at ~121 miles
+22 ft prominence
10,226 ft at ~166.3 miles
+1,825 ft prominence
About the Cities
Starting in Boulder, CO
Full guide →Founded 1858
Boulder is a college town of about 106,000 in the Front Range region of Colorado. The home of the University of Colorado, the city has a reputation for progressive values and outdoor recreation. It is a very pleasant place to live and visit. The seat of Boulder County, the city lies at the foot of the Flatirons at the eastern edge of the Front Range foothills, 24 miles (39 km) northwest of Denver.
Top landmarks
- • Hotel Boulderado — hotel in Boulder, United States
- • University of Colorado Museum of Natural History — natural history museum in Boulder, Colorado
- • Fiske Planetarium — planetarium in the United States
Arriving in Gunnison, CO
Full guide →Gunnison is a mountain town in the state of Colorado. Located in Southwestern Colorado, Gunnison is far from Denver and off the beaten path... unlike many of Colorado’s ski areas located along interstates or major population areas. Gunnison is a bedroom community located about a half hour drive from the Crested Butte Ski Resort. The valley contains the Victorian towns of Gunnison and Crested Butte.
Top landmarks
- • Gunnison River Bridge II — historic bridge in Gunnison, Colorado, United States
- • Gunnison River Bridge I — historic bridge in Gunnison, Colorado, United States
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 5h 2m. Total distance: 211.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 122.5 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.
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 (Arapahoe Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.9 miles (CO 93 / Broadway): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Curecanti National Recreation Area. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.0 hours each way, a round trip means 10.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Gunnison, 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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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