This 249.6-mile drive from Centennial, Colorado, to Clifton, Colorado, is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in a single day, taking approximately 4 hours and 43 minutes. With 94% of the route on highways, you'll spend most of your time on I-70, South Valley Highway, and West 6th Avenue Freeway. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $38, making it an economical option. This route is entirely within the Mountain West region, offering a consistent experience as you travel across Colorado. It's a practical choice if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B without significant detours.
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
124.8 miles from Centennial, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 23m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 70
224.5 mi
4h 8m
South Valley Highway
12.5 mi
15m
West 6th Avenue Freeway
7.6 mi
9m
I 70 BUS
1.4 mi
2m
Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
0.9 mi
1m
East Dry Creek Road
0.3 mi
<1m
F Road
0.3 mi
<1m
US 6
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 70
— 224.5 mi, about 4h 8m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,405 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,990
Quietest
2 AM
~79 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Centennial, CO and Clifton, CO.
1
Start on this road
495 ft·41 sec·this road
2
Turn left
118 ft·10 sec
3
Turn right onto East Panorama Circle
0.1 mi·23 sec·East Panorama Circle
4
Turn right onto South Chester Street
384 ft·14 sec·South Chester Street
5
Turn right onto CR 46
0.3 mi·46 sec·East Dry Creek Road
6
Turn left
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward I 25 NorthUse the left lane.
7
Merge onto I 25
13 mi·15 min·South Valley Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 209A-BToward US 6 West: 6th AvenueUse the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·53 sec
Exit 209BToward US 6 West: 6th Avenue, LakewoodUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on US 6
0.9 mi·1 min·Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
11
Keep slight left at fork onto US 6
0.1 mi·10 sec·US 6
Toward US 6
12
Merge onto US 6
7.6 mi·9 min·West 6th Avenue Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.7 mi·55 sec
Toward I 70 West: Grand JunctionUse the slight right lane.
14
Merge onto I 70
225 mi·4 hr 8 min·I 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit onto I 70 BUS
1.4 mi·2 min·I 70 BUS
Exit 37Toward I 70 Business, US 6, US 50: Clifton, Grand Junction, Delta
16
Turn sharp left onto US 6
0.2 mi·33 sec·F Road
Use the left lane.
17
Enter roundabout onto US 6
76 ft·1 sec·F Road
18
Continue on US 6
361 ft·10 sec·F Road
19
Arrive at destination
US 6
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour 43-minute duration, this drive is best suited for a single-day trip, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Aim to leave Centennial in the morning to maximize daylight and potential rest stops. With only one recommended stop, you can decide if you need to break up the 224.5-mile stretch on I-70 or push through. Be mindful of the fuel cost, estimated at $38, and plan your refueling accordingly, especially as you approach Clifton. A practical tip is to check traffic conditions for Denver's I-70 corridor before you depart, as this can significantly impact your travel time.
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 124.8 miles from Centennial, CO, or about 2h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 224.5 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 55 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 124.8 miles or 2h 23m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clifton, 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.
+
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 Centennial, CO
This is one driving day of about 249.6 miles and 4h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Centennial, 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 I 70 for about 224.5 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 247.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
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
7
13.4 mi into trip|~18m in
Take the exit toward US 6 West: 6th Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 209A-B
Toward US 6 West: 6th Avenue
9
13.6 mi into trip|~18m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 6 West: 6th Avenue, Lakewood
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 209B
Toward US 6 West: 6th Avenue, Lakewood
6
22.6 mi into trip|~30m in
Take the exit toward I 70 West: Grand Junction
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 70 West: Grand Junction
6
247.9 mi into trip|~4h 39m in|I 70 BUS
Take the exit onto I 70 BUS toward I 70 Business, US 6, US 50: Clifton, Grand Junction, Delta
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 37
Toward I 70 Business, US 6, US 50: Clifton, Gra...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.06 one way
$76.12 round trip
$3.87/gal25.4 MPG avg87 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$40.46
$80.91
premium
$4.45
$43.76
$87.52
diesel
$4.80
$47.13
$94.26
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 87.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
74.9
0
$26.21
$11.98
Efficient EV
62.4
0
$21.84
$9.98
EV Truck/SUV
99.8
1
$34.94
$15.97
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Centennial, CO
Late night
in Centennial on Sunday
Local time
3:07 AM
MDT
Current temp
65°F
Mostly Clear
SW 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 4:46AM MDT until July 20 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Denver CO
Destination
Clifton, CO
Late night
in Clifton on Sunday
Local time
3:07 AM
MDT
Current temp
68°F
Mostly Clear
0 mph7% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 4:46AM MDT until July 20 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Denver CO
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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 43m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Colorado National Monument
National Monument
Colorado National Monument preserves one of the grand landscapes of the American West. But this treasure is much more than a monument. Towering monoliths exist within a vast plateau and canyon panoram...
13 mi from route
~33 min detour
$25
near mile 249.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this trip, with 94% of the drive utilizing major roadways. You'll encounter stretches of fast-paced travel, including a significant 224.5-mile segment on I-70, which forms the backbone of this journey. While the majority of the route is on high-speed freeways, keep an eye out for transitions as you navigate through urban areas and onto the interstate. The character of the drive remains largely consistent due to the extensive highway share, minimizing complex road changes and focusing on efficient transit.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 224.5 mi on I 70.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 70 and South Valley Highway. 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 Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 249.6 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 0.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 13.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 13.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mountain driving with significant elevation changes
10,810 ft4,720 ft
Total Climb
5,360 ft
Total Descent
6,471 ft
Highest Point
10,810 ft
~71.3 mi in
Elevation Range
6,090 ft
Notable High Points
10,810 ft at ~71.3 miles+1,018 ft prominence
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 Centennial, CO to Clifton, CO, road signs begin pointing toward Lakewood along the way.
Lakewood
13.6 mi in|~18m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
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 Douglas County southeast of Denver.
Top landmarks
•Seventeen Mile House — historic site in Centennial, Colorado
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 43m. Total distance: 249.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 224.5 miles on I 70. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 11 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Clifton, 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. There are 11 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 13.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 13.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Colorado National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Clifton, CO, but most travelers stay overnight.
