Spanning 263.4 miles, the journey from Cedaredge to Denver is a steady trek across the Colorado Mountain West that typically requires about 4 hours and 45 minutes of driving time. Because this is a turn-heavy local drive rather than a straight interstate shot, it is best approached as a full-day commitment. You should budget approximately $40 for fuel to complete the trip in one go. While the drive is manageable for a single day, the winding nature of the roads means you will want to stay alert behind the wheel. It serves as a direct transition from the smaller mountain communities of the Western Slope toward the bustling capital city.
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
131.6 miles from Cedaredge, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 2m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Gerald R. Ford Memorial Highway
130.9 mi
2h 30m
Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
68.9 mi
1h 14m
Grand Mesa National Scenic & Historic Byway
39.2 mi
1h 5m
De Beque Cutoff Road
11.1 mi
26m
West 6th Avenue Freeway
10.1 mi
14m
North Grand Mesa Drive
1.2 mi
2m
North Lincoln Street
0.9 mi
2m
Northwest Aspen Avenue
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Gerald R. Ford Memorial Highway
— 130.9 mi, about 2h 30m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cedaredge, CO and Denver, CO.
131 mi·2 hr 30 min·Gerald R. Ford Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Exit 261Toward US 6 East: 6th Avenue, LakewoodUse the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto US 6
10 mi·14 min·West 6th Avenue Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Turn left onto North Lincoln Street
0.9 mi·2 min·North Lincoln Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
12
Turn right onto East 14th Avenue
353 ft·17 sec·East 14th Avenue
Use the right lane.
13
Turn left
358 ft·27 sec
Use the straight / left lanes.
14
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Plan to depart early in the morning to maximize your daylight hours, as the winding nature of the local roads can be more taxing after dark. With a total duration of nearly five hours, you should schedule at least one substantial stop to stretch your legs and refuel. Since this route avoids major highways, keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before heading out, as service stations may be less frequent than on a standard interstate. Given the turn-heavy profile of the Grand Mesa National Scenic & Historic Byway, ensure your vehicle is in good mechanical shape before departure. The flexibility of this route allows you to set your own pace, so prioritize safety over speed when navigating the tighter curves.
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 131.6 miles from Cedaredge, CO, or about 3h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 130.9 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 58 miles or 1h 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 131.6 miles or 3h 2m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 39m
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 Cedaredge, 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 Cedaredge, CO
This is one driving day of about 263.2 miles and 5h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Cedaredge, 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 Gerald R. Ford Memorial Highway for about 130.9 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 263.2 — 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|Northwest Aspen Avenue
Turn right onto Northwest Aspen Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|CO 65 / North Grand Mesa Drive
At end of road, turn left onto CO 65 / North Grand Mesa Drive
Navigation decision point
8
251.8 mi into trip|~5h 20m in
Take the exit toward US 6 East: 6th Avenue, Lakewood
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 261
Toward US 6 East: 6th Avenue, Lakewood
6
263.1 mi into trip|~5h 38m in|East 14th Avenue
Turn right onto East 14th Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
263.2 mi into trip|~5h 38m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.66 one way
$79.31 round trip
$3.83/gal25.4 MPG avg92 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.05
$41.99
$83.98
premium
$4.39
$45.53
$91.06
diesel
$5.61
$58.11
$116.22
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
79
0
$27.64
$12.63
Efficient EV
65.8
0
$23.03
$10.53
EV Truck/SUV
105.3
1
$36.85
$16.84
Gas CO2
92 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Cedaredge, CO
Late night
in Cedaredge on Tuesday
Local time
4:48 AM
MDT
Current temp
63°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
28 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
5h 38m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a technical and engaging experience as you navigate away from Cedaredge using Northwest Aspen Avenue and North Grand Mesa Drive. This route relies entirely on local roads and the Grand Mesa National Scenic & Historic Byway, meaning you will encounter zero highway miles during the journey. The profile is defined by constant turns, requiring your full attention as the road conditions shift frequently. Because there is no monotonous interstate stretch, you will find the drive demands a more active driving style compared to standard highway travel. Your hands will be busy on the wheel throughout the entire 263.4-mile trek.
Only 4% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 130.9 mi on Gerald R. Ford Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. 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 Northwest Aspen Avenue.
Driving Effort5/10
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 263.2 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 (Northwest Aspen Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (CO 65 / North Grand Mesa Drive): Navigation decision point; at 251.8 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 5h 38m. Total distance: 263.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (4%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 130.9 miles on Gerald R. Ford Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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: near the start (Northwest Aspen Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (CO 65 / North Grand Mesa Drive): Navigation decision point; at 251.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Denver, CO before the return drive.
