Trip from Brush, CO to Centennial, CO

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

Drive Time

1h 55m

Distance

105 mi

169 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$16

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 25 min

4 AM

1h 47m ★

6 AM

1h 55m

8 AM

2h 12m

10 AM

2h 1m

12 PM

2h 0m

3 PM

2h 2m

5 PM

2h 11m

8 PM

1h 50m

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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Brush, CO

Wikimedia Commons

Centennial, CO

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

If you are planning to travel from Brush to Centennial, you are looking at a straightforward 105-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 55 minutes. This trek is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless your schedule demands it. You will spend the vast majority of your time on major thoroughfares, primarily relying on I-76, I-225, and E-470 to reach your destination. Budgeting approximately $16 for fuel is a safe estimate for the drive between these two Mountain West locations. Because the route is efficient and direct, it serves as a reliable connection rather than a scenic excursion, making it an ideal choice for travelers who prioritize speed and simplicity.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

52.5 miles from Brush, CO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 54m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 76	70.8 mi	1h 10m
I 225	11.1 mi	12m
E-470	6.9 mi	6m
Peña Boulevard	6.6 mi	8m
South Valley Highway	3.3 mi	3m
Colorado Avenue	0.8 mi	1m
East Dry Creek Road	0.2 mi	<1m
East Panorama Circle	0.1 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: I 76 — 70.8 mi, about 1h 10m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Brush, CO and Centennial, CO.

Start on Clayton Street

185 ft · 12 sec · Clayton Street

Turn left onto West Emerson Street

418 ft · 25 sec · West Emerson Street

Turn left onto CO 71

0.8 mi · 1 min · Colorado Avenue

Use the straight lane.

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 37 sec

Merge onto I 76

71 mi · 1 hr 10 min · I 76

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

1.0 mi · 2 min

Exit 18 Toward E470 Toll South: Limon Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto E470

6.9 mi · 6 min · E-470

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 17 sec

Exit 28 Toward Denver International Airport, Pena Boulevard Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

0.7 mi · 1 min

Exit 28B Toward Peña Boulevard West Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto Peña Boulevard

6.6 mi · 8 min · Peña Boulevard

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 70

0.1 mi · 8 sec · Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 35 sec

Exit 282 Toward I 225 South: Aurora, Colorado Springs, Peoria Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

1.3 mi · 2 min

Exit 282 Toward I 225 South: Aurora, Colorado Springs

Continue on I 225

11 mi · 12 min · I 225

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 33 sec

Toward I 25 South: Colorado Springs Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 12 sec

Merge onto I 25

3.3 mi · 3 min · South Valley Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 26 sec

Exit 196 Toward Dry Creek Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn right onto CR 46

0.2 mi · 21 sec · East Dry Creek Road

Turn left onto South Chester Street

0.1 mi · 30 sec · South Chester Street

Use the left lane.

Turn left onto East Panorama Circle

0.1 mi · 39 sec · East Panorama Circle

Turn left

133 ft · 11 sec

Turn right

472 ft · 34 sec

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around your personal schedule rather than worrying about mid-trip fatigue. You can easily complete the entire 105-mile distance without needing to build in any formal stops, though keeping your fuel tank in mind before leaving Brush is always a smart proactive measure. Because the route relies heavily on major arteries like I-76 and E-470, stay alert for potential traffic shifts as you approach the Centennial area. If possible, avoid traveling during peak morning or evening commute hours to ensure you maintain that 1 hour and 55-minute estimated duration. Keeping your $16 fuel budget in mind, topping off before you hit the highway ensures you won't have to hunt for stations during the longest 70.8-mile stretch.

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 52.5 miles from Brush, CO, or about 54m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 70.8 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 23 miles or 24m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 52.5 miles or 54m 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 30m

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

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Brush, CO so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Brush, CO

This is one driving day of about 105 miles and 1h 55m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Brush, CO.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

The longest stretch is on I 76 for about 70.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Aurora, CO

53 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

Aurora, CO to Centennial, CO

13.9 mi · 19m

Pacing Suggestions

Wiggins, CO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 23 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lochbuie, CO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 52.5 miles from Brush, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 76 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 70.8 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

VICTOR'S SUSHI

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Brush, Colorado

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+19708427740

Carrillo Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Brush, Colorado

0.2 mi

Old Town Hot Pot

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Aurora, Colorado

0.9 mi

VICTOR'S SUSHI

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Brush, Colorado

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+19708427740

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 7.5

Fort Morgan, Colorado

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+19708674416

La Familia restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 90

Aurora, Colorado

Hours: 9 am–8 pm

+17205243411

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 90

Denver, Colorado

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Loop Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 90

Denver, Colorado

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18883856671

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 75

Commerce City, Colorado

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Museum of Outdoor Arts

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 105

Greenwood Village, Colorado

+13038060444

Visit website

Central Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 90

Denver, Colorado

Hours: 5 am–11 pm

+17209131311

Visit website

Green Valley Ranch East Park

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 82.5

Denver, Colorado

Hours: 5 am–11 pm

+17209131311

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 21

5 decision points cluster between mile 72 and 87.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

72 mi into trip | ~1h 13m in

Take the exit toward E470 Toll South: Limon

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 18 Toward E470 Toll South: Limon

79.9 mi into trip | ~1h 22m in

Take the exit toward Denver International Airport, Pena Boulevard

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 28 Toward Denver International Airport, Pena Boule...

80.1 mi into trip | ~1h 23m in

Keep slight right at fork toward Peña Boulevard West

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 28B Toward Peña Boulevard West

87.5 mi into trip | ~1h 32m in

Take the exit toward I 225 South: Aurora, Colorado Springs, Peoria Street

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 282 Toward I 225 South: Aurora, Colorado Springs, ...

87.9 mi into trip | ~1h 33m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 225 South: Aurora, Colorado Springs

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 282 Toward I 225 South: Aurora, Colorado Springs

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$15.82 one way

$31.64 round trip

$3.83/gal 25.4 MPG avg 37 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.05	$16.75	$33.50
premium	$4.39	$18.16	$36.33
diesel	$5.61	$23.18	$46.37

Estimated Tolls: $0.83

E-470 (6.9 mi) $0.83

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

$16

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$42–$67

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 36.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	31.5	$11.02	$5.04
Efficient EV	26.3	$9.19	$4.20
EV Truck/SUV	42	$14.70	$6.72

Gas CO2

37 kg

EV CO2

12 kg (68% 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

Brush, CO

Late night in Brush on Sunday

Local time

1:54 AM

MDT

Current temp

82°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Centennial, CO

Late night in Centennial on Sunday

Local time

1:54 AM

MDT

Current temp

77°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

5 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

1h 55m 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 classic highway-focused experience, as roughly 78% of your time behind the wheel will be spent at speed on the interstate. The most significant portion of the trip is a 70.8-mile stretch along I-76, which dictates the pace for the bulk of your travel. While the drive is consistent, the character of the road shifts as you transition from the more open surroundings of Brush toward the suburban infrastructure of Centennial. You won't face many technical challenges here, but the high percentage of highway driving means you should be prepared for steady, sustained speeds. It is a functional, no-nonsense route that keeps you moving efficiently toward the Denver metro area.

78% 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: 70.8 mi on I 76.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 76 and I 225. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 72 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 105 miles you will encounter 21 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 72 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 79.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 80.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Brush, CO and Centennial, CO, road signs point toward E470 Toll South: Limon, Denver International Airport, Peña Boulevard West and Colorado Springs.

E470 Toll South: Limon

72 mi in | ~1h 13m

Denver International Airport

79.9 mi in | ~1h 22m

Peña Boulevard West

80.1 mi in | ~1h 23m

Colorado Springs

87.5 mi in | ~1h 32m

About the Cities

Arriving in Centennial, CO

Full guide →

Centennial is a suburban city of about 106,000 in the Denver Metropolitan Area of the western U.S. state of Colorado. The city lies in Arapahoe County southeast of Denver.

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 1h 55m. Total distance: 105 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (78%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 70.8 miles on I 76. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $0.83 in tolls one way, starting with E-470. 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 Centennial, CO before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Centennial, 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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Return Trip

Centennial, CO to Brush, CO

Plan the drive back the other way.

104.6 mi 1h 54m

Explore more options from Brush, CO or browse trips ending in Centennial, CO.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse CO road trips.

Trip from Brush, CO to Centennial, CO

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

VICTOR'S SUSHI

VICTOR'S SUSHI

Carrillo Restaurant

Old Town Hot Pot

Glassi Restaurant & Bar

McDonald's

Wendy's

Home Plate Fort Morgan

La Familia restaurant

Circle K Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Tesla Supercharger

Tesla Supercharger

7Charge Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Loop Charging Station

Electrify America Charging Station

Museum of Outdoor Arts

Central Park

Green Valley Ranch East Park

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Brush, CO

Centennial, CO

Same local time

5 degrees cooler at arrival

1h 55m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Arriving in Centennial, CO

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

How do I pay the tolls on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

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