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Trip from Boulder, CO to Gypsum, CO

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

Drive Time

2h 57m

Distance

144.7 mi

233 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$22

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min
4 AM
2h 46m ★
6 AM
2h 57m
8 AM
3h 20m
10 AM
3h 5m
12 PM
3h 3m
3 PM
3h 6m
5 PM
3h 19m
8 PM
2h 51m

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

Boulder, CO

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Gypsum, CO, CO

Gypsum, CO

Aukid phumsirichat

Trip Overview

This 144.7-mile drive from Boulder, CO to Gypsum, CO is a straightforward 1-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 57 minutes. You'll navigate primarily local roads, with no highway driving, making it feel more like a series of connected town drives than a traditional open road journey. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $22. Given its manageable length and the nature of the roads, it's perfectly suited for a single-day excursion without the need for an overnight stop. Both your origin and destination are situated within the Mountain West region, offering a consistent scenic backdrop throughout.

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

72.4 miles from Boulder, CO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 28m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
19th Street — —
Arapahoe Avenue — —
28th Street — —
Baseline Road — —
27th Way — —
Broadway — —
South Foothills Highway — —
Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway — —

Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.

Longest stretch: 19th Street — detailed segment metrics are refreshing.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Boulder, CO and Gypsum, CO.

1

Start on the route

89 ft · 7 sec · the route
2

Turn right onto 19th Street

144 ft · 14 sec · 19th Street
3

Turn left onto Arapahoe Avenue

0.6 mi · 1 min · Arapahoe Avenue
4

Turn right onto 28th Street

0.8 mi · 1 min · 28th Street
5

Turn straight onto Baseline Road

0.2 mi · 18 sec · Baseline Road
6

Keep slight left to continue on Baseline Road, Broadway South

381 ft · 16 sec · Baseline Road, Broadway South
7

Continue on 27th Way

0.3 mi · 46 sec · 27th Way
8

At the end of the road, turn left onto Broadway

2.2 mi · 4 min · Broadway
9

Continue on South Foothills Highway

8.3 mi · 12 min · South Foothills Highway
10

Continue straight

7.5 mi · 11 min
11

Continue on Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway

2.9 mi · 4 min · Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
12

Turn right

0.6 mi · 54 sec
13

Take the exit slight right toward I 70 West: Grand Junction

0.8 mi · 59 sec · I 70 West: Grand Junction
14

Merge slight left

120 mi · 2 hr 17 min
15

Take the exit slight right toward Gypsum

0.3 mi · 41 sec · Gypsum
16

Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Trail Gulch Road

174 ft · 3 sec · Trail Gulch Road
17

Exit the roundabout onto Trail Gulch Road

0.1 mi · 12 sec · Trail Gulch Road
18

Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route

194 ft · 3 sec · the route
19

Exit the roundabout

0.3 mi · 30 sec
20

Arrive at your destination

Trip Plan

For this 144.7-mile journey, leaving Boulder, CO in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight hours, especially as the route is characterized by frequent turns and local road travel. With a duration of just under 3 hours and a modest fuel cost of $22, you have the flexibility to depart at your leisure. Plan for one stop to break up the drive, perhaps in a town along the way, but don't feel pressured to rush. Pay close attention to your GPS, as the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile means you'll be making numerous directional changes. A specific tip: keep an eye out for posted speed limits in residential areas, as these will be common throughout the drive.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 72.4 miles from Boulder, CO, or about 1h 28m into the drive.

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 32 miles or 39m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 72.4 miles or 1h 28m 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 25m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gypsum, 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 144.7 miles and 2h 57m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 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.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Silverthorne, CO, CO

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Silverthorne, CO

72 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

Applewood, CO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Silverthorne, CO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 72.4 miles from Boulder, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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

Sushi Bistro TASUKI

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Boulder, Colorado

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour Moderately

Hours: 5–9:30 pm

+13034479718

Visit website

Top Coffee Stop

Hygge Life Shop & Café

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Avon, Colorado

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 113.7

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+19703315745

Visit website

Sushi Bistro TASUKI

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour Moderately

Boulder, Colorado

Hours: 5–9:30 pm

+13034479718

Visit website

Hygge Life Shop & Café

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 113.7

Avon, Colorado

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+19703315745

Visit website

Clear Creek White Water Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 20.7

Golden, Colorado

Hours: Open 24 hours

+13033848000

Visit website

Pearl Street Mall

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Boulder, Colorado

Hours: Open 24 hours

+13034493774

Frisco Historic Park and Museum

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 82.7

Frisco, Colorado

Hours: Closed

+19706683428

Visit website

Chautauqua Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour

Boulder, CO

Hours: 5 am–11 pm

+13034137200

Visit website

Argo Gold Mill and Tunnel

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 41.4

Idaho Springs, Colorado

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+13035672421

Visit website

First Flatiron

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Boulder, Colorado

Hours: 5 am–11 pm

Visit website

Woodward Copper Barn

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 93

Frisco, Colorado

Hours: 12–8 pm

+18883501544

Visit website

Colorado Adventure Center - Zipline & Ropes Course

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 51.7

Idaho Springs, Colorado

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+17207071885

Visit website

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$21.80 one way

$43.60 round trip

$3.83/gal 25.4 MPG avg 51 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.05 $23.08 $46.17
premium $4.39 $25.03 $50.06
diesel $5.61 $31.95 $63.90

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$22

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$47–$72

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 50.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 43.4 0 $15.19 $6.95
Efficient EV 36.2 0 $12.66 $5.79
EV Truck/SUV 57.9 0 $20.26 $9.26

Gas CO2

51 kg

EV CO2

17 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

Boulder, CO

Late night in Boulder on Sunday

Local time

1:55 AM

MDT

Current temp

72°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Gypsum, CO

Late night in Gypsum on Sunday

Local time

1:55 AM

MDT

Current temp

35°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

37 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

2h 57m 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' on this route, as indicated by the data. With a 0% highway share, you'll be spending your entire 2 hours and 57 minutes navigating through local streets and avenues, connecting towns rather than cruising on interstates. The absence of a specified 'longest stretch' suggests frequent turns and transitions, requiring your constant attention to navigation. This driving personality means you'll likely experience a more intimate journey through the landscape, with plenty of opportunities to observe the immediate surroundings rather than covering vast distances at high speed.

Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Main road: 19th Street.

How Hard Is This Drive?

1/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.

Driving Effort 1/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

The drive from Boulder, CO to Gypsum, CO is easy. At 2h 57m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Boulder, CO to Gypsum, CO is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 57m. Total distance: 144.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Boulder, CO to Gypsum, CO is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Gypsum, CO before heading back.

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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