If you are planning to travel from Brush to Denver, you can expect a straightforward 91-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 41 minutes. This trip is perfectly suited for a single day, as it is a quick transition between two Mountain West locations within Colorado. You will spend the vast majority of your time on I-76, making this a highly efficient route for commuters or travelers looking to reach the city without unnecessary detours. Budgeting around $14 for fuel should comfortably cover your gas needs for this distance. Since the drive is relatively short, you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay, allowing you to easily complete the trip in one go.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
45.5 miles from Brush, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 48m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 76
83.4 mi
1h 24m
North Valley Highway
2.3 mi
3m
North Broadway
1 mi
3m
Colorado Avenue
0.8 mi
1m
Park Avenue
0.6 mi
1m
Park Avenue West
0.5 mi
1m
West 22nd Street
0.4 mi
1m
East 14th Avenue
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 76
— 83.4 mi, about 1h 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brush, CO and Denver, CO.
1
Start on Clayton Street
185 ft·12 sec·Clayton Street
2
Turn left onto West Emerson Street
418 ft·25 sec·West Emerson Street
3
Turn left onto CO 71
0.8 mi·1 min·Colorado Avenue
Use the straight lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·37 sec
5
Merge onto I 76
83 mi·1 hr 24 min·I 76
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.1 mi·12 sec
Exit 5Toward I 25 South: DenverUse the slight right lane.
7
Continue on this road
0.9 mi·1 min·this road
Toward I 25 south: Denver
8
Merge onto I 25; US 87
2.3 mi·3 min·North Valley Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·28 sec
Exit 213Toward 38th Avenue, Park Avenue, DowntownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·11 sec
Toward Park Avenue, DowntownUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on Park Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·Park Avenue
12
Turn straight onto Park Avenue West
0.5 mi·1 min·Park Avenue West
13
Continue on West 22nd Street
0.4 mi·1 min·West 22nd Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Turn right onto North Broadway
1.0 mi·3 min·North Broadway
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Turn left onto East 14th Avenue
0.1 mi·29 sec·East 14th Avenue
Use the left lane.
16
Turn left
358 ft·27 sec
Use the straight / left lanes.
17
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Because this is a short, 91-mile trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. However, since the final leg of your journey involves navigating the North Valley Highway and North Broadway into Denver, try to avoid peak rush hours to ensure a smoother arrival. There are no mandatory stops required for this 1 hour and 41-minute drive, giving you the freedom to power through or pull off whenever you prefer. Since the longest stretch is over 83 miles on I-76, make sure your vehicle is fueled up before leaving Brush to avoid any mid-highway interruptions. Keep a close watch on traffic patterns as you transition from the interstate into the city streets to stay ahead of any congestion.
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 45.5 miles from Brush, CO, or about 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 83.4 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 20 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 45.5 miles or 48m 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 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Denver, 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 91 miles and 1h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 20 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 83.4 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 90.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|CO 71 / Colorado Avenue
Turn left onto CO 71 / Colorado Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
84.5 mi into trip|~1h 27m in
Take the exit toward I 25 South: Denver
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 5
Toward I 25 South: Denver
8
87.9 mi into trip|~1h 32m in
Take the exit toward 38th Avenue, Park Avenue, Downtown
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 213
Toward 38th Avenue, Park Avenue, Downtown
9
88.2 mi into trip|~1h 33m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Park Avenue, Downtown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward Park Avenue, Downtown
7
90.9 mi into trip|~1h 41m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.71 one way
$27.42 round trip
$3.83/gal25.4 MPG avg32 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.05
$14.52
$29.03
premium
$4.39
$15.74
$31.48
diesel
$5.61
$20.09
$40.18
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 31.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
27.3
0
$9.56
$4.37
Efficient EV
22.8
0
$7.96
$3.64
EV Truck/SUV
36.4
0
$12.74
$5.82
Gas CO2
32 kg
EV CO2
11 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 20, 2026
Origin
Brush, CO
Late night
in Brush on Tuesday
Local time
4:48 AM
MDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Denver, CO
Late night
in Denver on Tuesday
Local time
4:48 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
24 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 41m 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 92% of this route is comprised of major roads. You will settle into a steady rhythm on I-76, which accounts for an uninterrupted stretch of 83.4 miles, allowing for consistent speeds across the Colorado landscape. As you move away from Brush, the drive transitions from open stretches onto the North Valley Highway and North Broadway as you enter the Denver area. The personality of this trip is defined by its utility and speed rather than technical twists or turns. You will spend almost the entire duration behind the wheel on high-speed interstate, making it a predictable and reliable drive.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 83.4 mi on I 76.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 76 and North Valley Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near CO 71 / Colorado Avenue.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 91 miles you will encounter 11 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 0.1 miles (CO 71 / Colorado Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 84.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 87.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Denver is the capital of the western U.S. state of Colorado and the dominant city of the Rocky Mountain Region. Founded in 1858 as the placer gold mining camp known as the Cherry Creek Diggings, the "Mile-High City" is today the most populous city within a 560-mile (900 km) radius and the center of the Front Range Urban Corridor of more than five million residents. Denver embraces its cowboy and mining past but also looks toward the future with a vibrant arts and performing arts scene, dozens of great outdoor festivals, and distinct neighborhoods each offering a unique experience. You'll find everything a cosmopolitan city has to offer including a spectacular view of and easy access to the beautiful Rocky Mountains, which arise only 12 miles (19 km) west of the Colorado State Capitol.
Top landmarks
•Denver Art Museum — museum in Denver, Colorado, United States
•Denver Mint — United States Mint branch in Denver, Colorado
•Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception — church in Colorado, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 41m. Total distance: 91 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 41m 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 83.4 miles on I 76. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Denver, 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (CO 71 / Colorado Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 84.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 87.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Denver, CO before heading back.
