Skip to main content
US Trip Planner Logo
US Trip Planner

Trip from Cañon City, CO to Broomfield, 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 44m

Distance

131 mi

211 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$20

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 32 min
4 AM
2h 34m ★
6 AM
2h 45m
8 AM
3h 6m
10 AM
2h 52m
12 PM
2h 50m
3 PM
2h 54m
5 PM
3h 5m
8 PM
2h 38m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
city in and county seat of Fremont County, Colorado, United States

Cañon City, CO

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Broomfield, CO, CO

Broomfield, CO

Owen.outdoors

Trip Overview

This 131-mile drive from Cañon City to Broomfield, Colorado, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 44 minutes. The route primarily utilizes Ronald Reagan Highway and CO 115, with a segment on CR 123, offering a mixed driving experience. With an estimated fuel cost of around $20, it’s an economical journey. Given that both your origin and destination are within the Mountain West region, you'll experience consistent high-altitude scenery throughout. This route is perfect for a straightforward, efficient trip between these two Colorado locations.

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

65.5 miles from Cañon City, CO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 30m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Ronald Reagan Highway 68.6 mi 1h 16m
CO 115 30.7 mi 41m
CR 123 9.5 mi 16m
Denver–Boulder Turnpike 8.7 mi 10m
Monument Valley Freeway 7.7 mi 8m
Royal Gorge Boulevard 3.6 mi 6m
CO 121 0.2 mi <1m
West Midway Boulevard 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Ronald Reagan Highway — 68.6 mi, about 1h 16m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cañon City, CO and Broomfield, CO.

1

Start on Macon Avenue

337 ft · 16 sec · Macon Avenue
2

Turn right onto North 5th Street

0.1 mi · 37 sec · North 5th Street
3

Turn left onto US 50

3.6 mi · 6 min · Royal Gorge Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
4

Turn left onto Mackenzie Avenue

126 ft · 4 sec · Mackenzie Avenue
Use the left lane.
5

Turn right onto CR 123

9.5 mi · 16 min · CR 123
6

Turn left onto CO 115

31 mi · 41 min · CO 115
Use the straight lane.
7

Turn left

0.1 mi · 14 sec
Toward I 25 North, US 24 West: Denver Use the left lane.
8

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 35 sec
Toward I 25 North, US 24 West: Denver Use the straight / right lanes.
9

Merge onto I 25; US 24

7.7 mi · 8 min · Monument Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Continue on I 25

69 mi · 1 hr 16 min · Ronald Reagan Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 51 sec
Exit 217A Toward US 36 West: Westminster, Boulder Use the slight left lane.
12

Merge onto US 36

2.1 mi · 2 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike
13

Keep slight right at fork onto US 36

1.7 mi · 1 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike
14

Keep slight right at fork onto US 36

2.3 mi · 2 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike
15

Keep slight right at fork onto US 36

1.9 mi · 2 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Keep slight right at fork onto US 36

0.8 mi · 52 sec · Denver–Boulder Turnpike
17

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 42 sec
Toward CO 121: Wadsworth Parkway Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Turn right onto CO 121

0.2 mi · 30 sec · CO 121
19

Continue on US 287

204 ft · 5 sec · US 287
20

Turn right onto West Midway Boulevard

0.2 mi · 31 sec · West Midway Boulevard
Use the right lane.
21

Turn right onto Nickel Street

0.1 mi · 22 sec · Nickel Street
Use the right lane.
22

Turn left onto West 3rd Avenue

273 ft · 17 sec · West 3rd Avenue
Use the left lane.
23

Turn left

192 ft · 14 sec
24

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Since this drive is under 3 hours, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving in the morning is a good idea to avoid potential afternoon traffic closer to Broomfield. Plan for one stop along the way, perhaps around the halfway point, to stretch your legs and stay refreshed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before you begin the longest stretch on Ronald Reagan Highway, as services might be less frequent during that segment. The total fuel cost is estimated at $20, so budget accordingly.

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 65.5 miles from Cañon City, CO, or about 1h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 68.6 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 29 miles or 45m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 65.5 miles or 1h 30m 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 16m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Cañon City, 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 Cañon City, CO

This is one driving day of about 131 miles and 2h 44m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from Cañon City, 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 Ronald Reagan Highway for about 68.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

county seat of Douglas County, Colorado, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Castle Rock, CO

66 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

Castle Rock, CO to Broomfield, CO

45.8 mi · 57m

Pacing Suggestions

Fort Carson, CO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 29 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Castle Rock, CO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 65.5 miles from Cañon City, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Ronald Reagan Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 68.6 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

Tikka & Grill, Nepali and Indian Food

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Denver, Colorado

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour Moderately mile 112.3

Hours: 11 am–9:15 pm

+17204767144

Visit website

Corridor 44 Champagne Bar and Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Denver, Colorado

2.3 mi

Tikka & Grill, Nepali and Indian Food

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour Moderately mile 112.3

Denver, Colorado

Hours: 11 am–9:15 pm

+17204767144

Visit website

Corridor 44 Champagne Bar and Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $50 to $60 mile 112.3

Denver, Colorado

Hours: 3 pm–2 am

+13038930044

Visit website

Old Town Hot Pot

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour $20 to $30 mile 102.9

Aurora, Colorado

Hours: 11:30 am–9:30 pm

+13036580870

Visit website

Nola Voodoo Tavern

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour Moderately mile 112.3

Denver, Colorado

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+17203899544

Visit website

Museum of Colorado Prisons

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

Cañon City, Colorado

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+17192693015

Visit website

Larkspur Community Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 74.9

Larkspur, Colorado

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+13036812324

Visit website

House Of Immersions

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 112.3

Denver, Colorado

Hours: 2–9:30 pm

+13037441008

Visit website

Museum of Outdoor Arts

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 102.9

Greenwood Village, Colorado

+13038060444

Visit website

Castle Rock Adventure Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 84.2

Castle Rock, CO

+17207339477

Visit website

Rock Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 84.2

Castle Rock, Colorado

Hours: 5 am–11 pm

+17207332260

Visit website

Civic Center Park

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 112.3

Denver, Colorado

Hours: 5 am–11 pm

+17209131311

Visit website

Big Blue Bear

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 112.3

Denver, Colorado

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

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 0.2 and 127.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | US 50 / Royal Gorge Boulevard

Turn left onto US 50 / Royal Gorge Boulevard

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.
7
44 mi into trip | ~1h 5m in

Turn left toward I 25 North, US 24 West: Denver

Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the left lane. Toward I 25 North, US 24 West: Denver
7
44.1 mi into trip | ~1h 5m in

Take the ramp toward I 25 North, US 24 West: Denver

Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / right lanes. Toward I 25 North, US 24 West: Denver
8
120.7 mi into trip | ~2h 31m in

Take the exit toward US 36 West: Westminster, Boulder

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

Use the slight left lane. Exit 217A Toward US 36 West: Westminster, Boulder
6
127.3 mi into trip | ~2h 39m in | US 36 / Denver–Boulder Turnpike

Keep slight right at fork onto US 36 / Denver–Boulder Turnpike

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$19.74 one way

$39.48 round trip

$3.83/gal 25.4 MPG avg 46 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.05 $20.90 $41.80
premium $4.39 $22.66 $45.32
diesel $5.61 $28.92 $57.85

Estimated Tolls: $0.60

Denver–Boulder Turnpike (8.7 mi) $0.60

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

$20

Tolls

$1

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$45–$70

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 45.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 39.3 0 $13.75 $6.29
Efficient EV 32.8 0 $11.46 $5.24
EV Truck/SUV 52.4 0 $18.34 $8.38

Gas CO2

46 kg

EV CO2

15 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

Cañon City, CO

Late night in Cañon City on Sunday

Local time

2:09 AM

MDT

Current temp

78°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Broomfield, CO

Late night in Broomfield on Sunday

Local time

2:09 AM

MDT

Current temp

75°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

3 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 44m 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 mixed drive on this route, with 43% of the journey on highways. You'll encounter a significant uninterrupted stretch of 68.6 miles on Ronald Reagan Highway, offering a chance to settle into a steady pace. The character of the drive shifts as you transition between these main roads, moving from potentially faster highway sections to more varied local road conditions. This blend means you’ll experience different driving dynamics, keeping your time behind the wheel engaging without being overly demanding.

43% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 68.6 mi on Ronald Reagan Highway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near US 50 / Royal Gorge Boulevard.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 131 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: at 0.2 miles (US 50 / Royal Gorge Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 44 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 44.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

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

On the drive from Cañon City, CO to Broomfield, CO, road signs begin pointing toward Boulder along the way.

Boulder

120.7 mi in | ~2h 31m

About the Cities

Arriving in Broomfield, CO

Full guide →

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.

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 2h 44m. Total distance: 131 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (43%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 68.6 miles on Ronald Reagan Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $0.60 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 Broomfield, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (US 50 / Royal Gorge Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 44 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 44.1 miles: 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 Broomfield, 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.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Continue From Broomfield, CO

Delta, CO 284.4 mi · 5h 30m Aspen, CO 167.1 mi · 4h 18m Salida, CO 150 mi · 3h 24m Edwards, CO 118.3 mi · 2h 23m

More from Cañon City, CO

Grand Junction, CO 245 mi · 6h Westminster, CO 124.9 mi · 2h 38m Commerce City, CO 117 mi · 2h 34m Denver, CO 113.8 mi · 2h 25m Centennial, CO 100.8 mi · 2h 7m Castle Rock, CO 85.9 mi · 1h 51m

More trips to Broomfield, CO

Trinidad, CO 213.5 mi Fort Carson, CO 93.4 mi Castle Rock, CO 45.8 mi Lone Tree, CO 33.6 mi Lochbuie, CO 29.9 mi Aurora, CO 22.7 mi
Escape planner: Cañon City, CO Scenic drives in CO

Explore more options from Cañon City, CO or browse trips ending in Broomfield, CO.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse CO road trips.