Broomfield, CO to Gunnison, CO is 208.6 miles and takes about 4h 52m via US 285 and US 50, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Mountain West region, primarily traversing Colorado. Expect a mostly highway experience for the bulk of your travel. This route is a straightforward option if you're looking for a direct path between these two points in Colorado without extensive detours. It's well-suited for a single-day drive, especially if you get an early start.
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
104.3 miles from Broomfield, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 18m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 285
122.5 mi
2h 47m
US 50
59.4 mi
1h 28m
I 70
8.7 mi
9m
CO 470
5.1 mi
5m
Sheridan Boulevard
4.3 mi
7m
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
3.9 mi
4m
Heartland Expressway
1.3 mi
1m
CO 121
0.4 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 285
— 122.5 mi, about 2h 47m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~4,333 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~230 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
18.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 98 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Broomfield, CO and Gunnison, 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
8.7 mi·9 min·I 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.7 mi·50 sec
Exit 260Toward CO 470 East: Colorado SpringsUse the slight right lane.
17
Merge onto CO 470
5.1 mi·5 min·CO 470
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 5AToward US 285 South: FairplayUse the slight right lane.
19
Merge onto US 285
101 mi·2 hr 13 min·US 285
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
At end of road, turn left onto US 285
11 mi·17 min·US 285
21
Continue on US 285
9.9 mi·15 min·US 285
22
Turn sharp right onto US 50
59 mi·1 hr 28 min·US 50
Use the straight lane.
23
Turn right onto North Iowa Street
520 ft·22 sec·North Iowa Street
24
Arrive at destination
North Iowa Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 52m estimated drive time, starting your trip in Broomfield before 9 AM should allow ample daylight to reach Gunnison. The longest stretch without a town is 122.5 miles on US 285, so ensure you have enough fuel before departing on that segment. With a fuel cost estimated around $35 for the 208.6 miles, it's a budget-friendly trip. Given it’s a single-day drive, you have flexibility to stop for a quick break or lunch along US 50 as needed.
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 104.3 miles from Broomfield, CO, or about 2h 18m 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 46 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 104.3 miles or 2h 18m 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 56m
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 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 208.6 miles and 4h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from Broomfield, 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 25.9 — 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
7
20.1 mi into trip|~28m in
Take the exit toward CO 470 East: Colorado Springs
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 260
Toward CO 470 East: Colorado Springs
7
25.9 mi into trip|~34m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.54 one way
$71.07 round trip
$4.33/gal25.4 MPG avg73 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.58
$37.58
$75.16
premium
$4.90
$40.27
$80.55
diesel
$6.18
$50.75
$101.49
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
$36
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 73 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
62.6
0
$21.90
$10.01
Efficient EV
52.2
0
$18.25
$8.34
EV Truck/SUV
83.4
1
$29.20
$13.35
Gas CO2
73 kg
EV CO2
24 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 Oct 17, 2026
Origin
Broomfield, CO
Late night
in Broomfield on Sunday
Local time
3:39 AM
MDT
Current temp
75°F
Sunny
SE 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 5:02AM MDT until October 17 at 9:00AM MDT by NWS Pueblo CO
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 9:15PM MDT until October 17 at 9:00AM MDT by NWS Grand Junction CO
Destination
Gunnison, CO
Late night
in Gunnison on Sunday
Local time
3:39 AM
MDT
Current temp
65°F
Sunny
SW 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 5:02AM MDT until October 17 at 9:00AM MDT by NWS Pueblo CO
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 9:15PM MDT until October 17 at 9:00AM MDT by NWS Grand Junction CO
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
10 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
4h 52m 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 208.6
Danger: Toxic Algae Found – Blue Mesa Water Quality Advisory
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend 97% of this 208.6-mile drive on highways. The longest continuous stretch of highway cruising is 122.5 miles on US 285. After this, you'll transition to surface roads for the remaining portion of the trip. Expect a good amount of rural cruising with minimal urban merging.
97% 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: 122.5 mi on US 285.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 285 and US 50. 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 Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 208.6 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.
Elevation Profile
Mountain driving with significant elevation changes
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.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 52m. Total distance: 208.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). 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.
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.
Yes — we found about 2 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Gunnison, 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 1 meaningful breaks. There are 2 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 — Curecanti National Recreation Area. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Gunnison, CO, but most travelers stay overnight.
