Trip from Centennial, CO to Brush, CO

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 54m

Distance

104.6 mi

168 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 46m ★

6 AM

1h 54m

8 AM

2h 11m

10 AM

2h 0m

12 PM

1h 59m

3 PM

2h 1m

5 PM

2h 10m

8 PM

1h 49m

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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Centennial, CO

Wikimedia Commons

Brush, CO

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

If you are planning a trip from Centennial to Brush, you are looking at a straightforward 104.6-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 54 minutes. This drive is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, as it does not require an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via I-225, Peña Boulevard, and the Heartland Expressway to complete the trip. With an estimated fuel cost of approximately $16, the route is budget-friendly for a quick getaway. Because both locations are situated within the Mountain West region, you will remain in a familiar geographic corridor throughout your travels. It is a practical, efficient connection that gets you from the Denver metro area to the plains of Brush without unnecessary complexity.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

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

Midpoint

52.3 miles from Centennial, CO

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

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Heartland Expressway	70.6 mi	1h 10m
I 225	11.6 mi	13m
Peña Boulevard	6.5 mi	7m
E-470	6.4 mi	6m
South Valley Highway	3.5 mi	4m
Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway	0.6 mi	<1m
Colorado Avenue	0.5 mi	1m
East Dry Creek Road	0.3 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: Heartland Expressway — 70.6 mi, about 1h 10m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on this road

495 ft · 41 sec · this road

Turn left

118 ft · 10 sec

Turn right onto East Panorama Circle

0.1 mi · 23 sec · East Panorama Circle

Turn right onto South Chester Street

384 ft · 14 sec · South Chester Street

Turn right onto CR 46

0.3 mi · 46 sec · East Dry Creek Road

Turn left

0.3 mi · 34 sec

Toward I 25 North Use the left lane.

Merge onto I 25

3.5 mi · 4 min · South Valley Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 14 sec

Exit 200 Toward I 225 North: Aurora, Limon Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 225

0.1 mi · 7 sec · I 225

Keep slight left at fork onto I 225

12 mi · 13 min · I 225

Toward I 225 North: Limon Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

0.7 mi · 57 sec

Exit 12B Toward I 70 East: Limon Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 70

0.6 mi · 45 sec · Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto Peña Boulevard

6.5 mi · 7 min · Peña Boulevard

Exit 284 Toward Denver International Airport Use the straight / right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 13 sec

Exit 6 Toward E470 Toll: Fort Collins Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 53 sec

Exit 6B Toward E470 Toll North: Fort Collins Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min

Exit 6B Toward E470 Toll North Use the straight / right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 56 sec

Merge onto E470

6.4 mi · 6 min · E-470

Use the slight right lane.

Take the exit

1.1 mi · 1 min

Exit 35 Toward I 76 East: Fort Morgan Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 76

71 mi · 1 hr 10 min · Heartland Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 36 sec

Toward CO 71: Brush, Snyder

Turn right onto CO 71

0.5 mi · 1 min · Colorado Avenue

Use the straight / right lanes.

Turn right onto Howard Street

398 ft · 15 sec · Howard Street

Turn left onto Clayton Street

0.1 mi · 15 sec · Clayton Street

Arrive at destination

Clayton Street

Trip Plan

Since this is a relatively short trip under two hours, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. Aim to hit the road outside of peak traffic hours to ensure you maintain that 1-hour and 54-minute estimated travel time. Given the 70.6-mile stretch on the Heartland Expressway, ensure your vehicle is fueled up before you leave, as the $16 fuel estimate assumes steady driving conditions. You won't need to plan for formal stops on this route, but keeping water and snacks in the car is always a smart call for a drive of this length. Pay close attention to signage when transitioning between I-225 and the Heartland Expressway to keep your transit smooth and stress-free.

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 52.3 miles from Centennial, CO, or about 1h into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 70.6 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 23 miles or 29m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 52.3 miles or 1h 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 34m

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

Before You Leave

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

Day 1

Settle into the route from Centennial, CO

This is one driving day of about 104.6 miles and 1h 54m.

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

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

The longest stretch is on Heartland Expressway for about 70.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Aurora, CO

52 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 Brush, CO

91.3 mi · 1h 39m

Pacing Suggestions

Aurora, CO

Fuel and coffee

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

Brighton, CO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 52.3 miles from Centennial, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Heartland Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 70.6 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · home stretch

VICTOR'S SUSHI

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Brush, Colorado

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch · 0min to go 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

1 mi

VICTOR'S SUSHI

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

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

Brush, Colorado

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+19708427740

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Fort Morgan, Colorado

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+19708674416

La Familia restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Aurora, Colorado

Hours: 9 am–8 pm

+17205243411

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour

Denver, Colorado

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Loop Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour

Denver, Colorado

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18883856671

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour

Commerce City, Colorado

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Museum of Outdoor Arts

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour

Greenwood Village, Colorado

+13038060444

Visit website

Central Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour

Denver, Colorado

Hours: 5 am–11 pm

+17209131311

Visit website

Green Valley Ranch East Park

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

Early stretch 3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour

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 22

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 24 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

0.6 mi into trip | ~2m in

Turn left toward I 25 North

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane. Toward I 25 North

4.4 mi into trip | ~6m in

Take the exit toward I 225 North: Aurora, Limon

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 200 Toward I 225 North: Aurora, Limon

16.1 mi into trip | ~20m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 70 East: Limon

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 12B Toward I 70 East: Limon

17.4 mi into trip | ~22m in | Peña Boulevard

Keep slight right at fork onto Peña Boulevard toward Denver International Airport

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes. Exit 284 Toward Denver International Airport

24 mi into trip | ~30m in

Keep slight left at fork toward E470 Toll North: Fort Collins

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 6B Toward E470 Toll North: Fort Collins

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$15.76 one way

$31.52 round trip

$3.83/gal 25.4 MPG avg 37 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.05	$16.69	$33.37
premium	$4.39	$18.09	$36.19
diesel	$5.61	$23.09	$46.19

Estimated Tolls: $0.77

E-470 (6.4 mi) $0.77

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: 36.6 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	31.4	$10.98	$5.02
Efficient EV	26.2	$9.15	$4.18
EV Truck/SUV	41.8	$14.64	$6.69

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 20, 2026

Origin

Centennial, CO

Late night in Centennial on Tuesday

Local time

2:45 AM

MDT

Current temp

58°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Brush, CO

Late night in Brush on Tuesday

Local time

2:45 AM

MDT

Current temp

59°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

1 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

1h 54m 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 79% of this route consists of high-speed transit. You will spend the bulk of your time behind the wheel on the Heartland Expressway, which accounts for a 70.6-mile stretch of uninterrupted driving. The transition from the urban density of Centennial to the more open, expansive landscape near Brush happens steadily as you shift between these major thoroughfares. Because the drive is dominated by high-speed roads, you can maintain a consistent pace once you clear the initial metro traffic. It is a utilitarian drive that prioritizes speed and efficiency over winding, technical backroads, making it a predictable experience for those who prefer interstate travel.

79% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 70.6 mi on Heartland Expressway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Heartland Expressway and I 225. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 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 104.6 miles you will encounter 22 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 0.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 4.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.1 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 Centennial, CO and Brush, CO, road signs point toward Denver International Airport, E470 Toll: Fort Collins, E470 Toll North: Fort Collins and E470 Toll North.

Denver International Airport

17.4 mi in | ~22m | via Peña Boulevard

E470 Toll: Fort Collins

23.9 mi in | ~30m

E470 Toll North: Fort Collins

24 mi in | ~30m

E470 Toll North

24.6 mi in | ~31m

About the Cities

Starting in Centennial, CO

Full guide →

Founded 2001

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.

Top landmarks

• Seventeen Mile House — historic site in Centennial, Colorado

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 54m. Total distance: 104.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (79%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 70.6 miles on Heartland Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $0.77 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 Brush, 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 Brush, 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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Trip from Centennial, CO to Brush, CO

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

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

Centennial, CO

Brush, CO

Same local time

1 degrees warmer at arrival

1h 54m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Starting 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

Explore More

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