Traveling from Broomfield to Edwards covers 118.3 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 23 minutes. This trip stays within Colorado’s Mountain West region, making it a straightforward journey that is easily manageable as a single-day excursion. With 94% of the route consisting of highway driving, you can expect a very efficient transit between these two points. Budgeting approximately $18 for fuel will cover your transit costs, providing a practical estimate for your travel planning. Because the duration is relatively short, you won't need to worry about an overnight split, allowing you the flexibility to complete the drive in one go.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
59.2 miles from Broomfield, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 13m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 70
106.1 mi
2h 3m
Sheridan Boulevard
4.3 mi
7m
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
3.9 mi
4m
Heartland Expressway
1.3 mi
1m
Edwards Access Road
0.6 mi
1m
CO 121
0.4 mi
1m
Nickel Street
0.2 mi
<1m
West 3rd Avenue
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 70
— 106.1 mi, about 2h 3m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Broomfield, CO and Edwards, CO.
1
Start on this road
192 ft·16 sec·this road
2
At end of road, turn right onto West 3rd Avenue
273 ft·19 sec·West 3rd Avenue
3
Turn left onto Nickel Street
0.2 mi·26 sec·Nickel Street
4
Turn right onto US 287
140 ft·3 sec·US 287
5
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·45 sec
Toward CO 121 South
6
Turn straight onto CO 121
0.4 mi·1 min·CO 121
7
Turn left
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward US 36 East: DenverUse the left lane.
8
Merge onto US 36
1.2 mi·1 min·Denver–Boulder Turnpike
9
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
1.9 mi·2 min·Denver–Boulder Turnpike
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
0.8 mi·53 sec·Denver–Boulder Turnpike
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward CO 95 South: Sheridan BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
12
Turn right onto CO 95
4.3 mi·7 min·Sheridan Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
13
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward I 76 West
14
Merge onto I 76
1.3 mi·1 min·Heartland Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 70
106 mi·2 hr 3 min·I 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward Edwards
17
Enter roundabout onto I 70 Business
250 ft·5 sec·Edwards Access Road
18
Continue on I 70 Business
314 ft·6 sec·Edwards Access Road
19
Enter roundabout onto I 70 Business
106 ft·2 sec·Edwards Access Road
20
Continue on I 70 Business
301 ft·6 sec·Edwards Access Road
21
Enter roundabout onto I 70 Business
76 ft·1 sec·Edwards Access Road
22
Continue on I 70 Business
0.4 mi·40 sec·Edwards Access Road
23
Turn right
211 ft·15 sec
24
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick 118.3-mile run, you have the advantage of scheduling your departure around your personal preferences rather than worrying about mid-trip lodging. Given that the route is essentially a non-stop transit along I-70, try to time your departure to avoid peak traffic hours, which can quickly impact your 2-hour and 23-minute travel estimate. Keep your gas tank in mind before hitting the interstate, as the longest stretch covers 106.1 miles of continuous highway driving. Since there are no mandatory stops built into this itinerary, feel free to pull off whenever you need a break to stretch your legs. Keeping your vehicle prepped for a sustained high-speed climb is the best way to ensure a smooth transition across the Mountain West terrain.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 59.2 miles from Broomfield, CO, or about 1h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 106.1 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 26 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.2 miles or 1h 13m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Edwards, CO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Broomfield, 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 Broomfield, CO
This is one driving day of about 118.3 miles and 2h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Broomfield, CO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 70 for about 106.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 117.7 — 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|West 3rd Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto West 3rd Avenue
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
6
0.3 mi into trip|~1m in
Keep slight left at fork toward CO 121 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward CO 121 South
7
1 mi into trip|~2m in
Turn left toward US 36 East: Denver
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward US 36 East: Denver
6
5.2 mi into trip|~8m in
Take the exit toward CO 95 South: Sheridan Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward CO 95 South: Sheridan Boulevard
6
117.7 mi into trip|~2h 22m in|I 70 Business / Edwards Access Road
Enter roundabout onto I 70 Business / Edwards Access Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.82 one way
$35.65 round trip
$3.83/gal25.4 MPG avg41 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.05
$18.87
$37.74
premium
$4.39
$20.46
$40.93
diesel
$5.61
$26.12
$52.24
Estimated Tolls: $0.27
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
(3.9 mi)$0.27
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
$18
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
35.5
0
$12.42
$5.68
Efficient EV
29.6
0
$10.35
$4.73
EV Truck/SUV
47.3
0
$16.56
$7.57
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 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
Broomfield, CO
Night
in Broomfield on Saturday
Local time
10:35 PM
MDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Edwards, CO
Night
in Edwards on Saturday
Local time
10:35 PM
MDT
Current temp
64°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 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 23m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a focused, highway-heavy experience as you navigate your way toward Edwards. You will spend the vast majority of your time on I-70, which accounts for a significant 106.1-mile stretch of the journey. The drive begins with local navigation through Sheridan Boulevard and the Denver–Boulder Turnpike before transitioning into the interstate system. Because nearly the entire route is highway-based, the drive maintains a consistent pace from start to finish. You should prepare for a high-speed, interstate-oriented drive that prioritizes efficiency over local road exploration.
94% 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: 106.1 mi on I 70.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 70 and Sheridan Boulevard. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near West 3rd Avenue.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 118.3 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: near the start (West 3rd Avenue): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 1 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Broomfield is a combined city and county of about 77,000 in the Denver Metropolitan Area of the western U.S. state of Colorado. Broomfield lies 14 miles (23 km) northwest of Denver and 12 miles (19 km) southeast of Boulder. The only other combined city and county in Colorado is the City and County of Denver, the state capital.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 23m. Total distance: 118.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 106.1 miles on I 70. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.27 in tolls one way, starting with Denver–Boulder Turnpike. 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.
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 Edwards, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (West 3rd Avenue): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 1 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Edwards, CO before heading back.
