Origin
Castle Rock, CO
Morning in Castle Rock on Tuesday
Local time
6:23 AM
MDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Castle Rock, CO to Denver, CO
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
37m
Distance
28.5 mi
46 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 35m
★
6 AM
0h 38m
8 AM
0h 44m
10 AM
0h 40m
12 PM
0h 40m
3 PM
0h 41m
5 PM
0h 44m
8 PM
0h 36m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Castle Rock, CO
Wikimedia Commons
Denver, CO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Connecting Castle Rock to Denver is a straightforward 28.5-mile journey that typically takes about 37 minutes. Because of the quick transit time, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight logistics. Budgeting around $4 for fuel will cover your transit, making this an incredibly economical commute within the Mountain West. You will primarily navigate via I-25, transitioning into local streets like South Logan Street and East Buchtel North Boulevard as you enter the city. Whether you are heading north for business or a quick visit, this drive offers a no-fuss connection between two major Colorado hubs.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 25 | 23.4 mi | 26m |
| South Logan Street | 2.7 mi | 5m |
| East Buchtel North Boulevard | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| North Wilcox Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| 3rd Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| East 13th Avenue | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Sherman Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| North Cantril Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 25
— 23.4 mi, about 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Castle Rock, CO and Denver, CO.
1
Start on North Cantril Street
90 ft
·
8 sec
·
North Cantril Street
2
Turn left onto 3rd Street
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
3rd Street
3
Continue on 3rd Street
442 ft
·
17 sec
·
3rd Street
4
Turn right onto North Wilcox Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North Wilcox Street
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 25 North
6
Merge onto I 25
23 mi
·
26 min
·
I 25
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Exit 206
Toward Downing Street, Washington Street, Emerson Street
Use the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Toward Emerson Street, Washington Street
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on East Buchtel North Boulevard
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East Buchtel North Boulevard
10
Turn right onto South Logan Street
2.7 mi
·
5 min
·
South Logan Street
11
Turn left onto East 13th Avenue
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
East 13th Avenue
12
Turn right onto Sherman Street
0.1 mi
·
33 sec
·
Sherman Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
At end of road, turn right
298 ft
·
21 sec
14
Arrive at destination
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 105 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 28.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
3rd Street
Turn left onto 3rd Street
Navigation decision point
7
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
3rd Street
Enter roundabout onto 3rd Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
8
24.5 mi into trip
|
~29m in
Take the exit toward Downing Street, Washington Street, Emerson Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 206
Toward Downing Street, Washington Street, Emers...
9
24.6 mi into trip
|
~29m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Emerson Street, Washington Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward Emerson Street, Washington Street
7
28.3 mi into trip
|
~37m in
|
Sherman Street
Turn right onto Sherman Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$4.29 one way
$8.59 round trip
$3.83/gal
25.4 MPG avg
10 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.05 | $4.55 | $9.09 |
| premium | $4.39 | $4.93 | $9.86 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $6.29 | $12.58 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$4
Estimated CO2 emission: 10 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 70% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 8.5 | 0 | $2.99 | $1.37 |
| Efficient EV | 7.1 | 0 | $2.49 | $1.14 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 11.4 | 0 | $3.99 | $1.82 |
Gas CO2
10 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (70% 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.
Destination
Denver, CO
Morning in Denver on Tuesday
Local time
6:23 AM
MDT
Current temp
35°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
20 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
37m 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 highway-focused experience, as 82% of your trip is spent cruising on major thoroughfares. The core of this drive features a 23.4-mile stretch on I-25, providing a consistent pace before you exit toward local city roads. While the interstate portion is fast and efficient, the character of the drive shifts once you transition onto South Logan Street and East Buchtel North Boulevard. You will experience a blend of high-speed transit followed by a more grounded, urban feel as you reach your destination. It is a functional, direct route designed to get you from point A to point B with minimal complexity.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 23.4 mi on I 25.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 25 and South Logan Street. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near 3rd Street.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 28.5 miles you will encounter 10 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: near the start (3rd Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (3rd Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 24.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
6,396 ft
5,266 ft
Total Climb
227 ft
Total Descent
1,166 ft
Highest Point
6,396 ft
~6.1 mi in
Elevation Range
1,129 ft
Notable High Points
6,396 ft at ~6.1 miles
+24 ft prominence
About the Cities
Starting in Castle Rock, CO
Full guide →Castle Rock is a town of about 81,000 in the Denver Metropolitan Area of the western U.S. state of Colorado. The seat of Douglas County, the town lies 26 miles (42 km) south-southeast of Denver.
Arriving in Denver, CO
Full guide →“Mile High City” · Founded 1858
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
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 37m. Total distance: 28.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
37m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 23.4 miles on I 25. 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: near the start (3rd Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (3rd Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 24.5 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.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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