Driving from Centennial to Edwards covers 121.8 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 27 minutes. Because this is a relatively short trip through the Mountain West, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion. You will primarily navigate via the West 6th Avenue Freeway, South Valley Highway, and a significant stretch of I-70. With a fuel budget of approximately $18, this route offers a cost-effective way to transition from the Denver metro area into the heart of the mountains. Whether you are heading out for a quick getaway or a necessary commute, the straightforward nature of the path makes it easy to plan without needing an overnight stop.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
60.9 miles from Centennial, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 15m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 70
97.7 mi
1h 54m
South Valley Highway
12.5 mi
15m
West 6th Avenue Freeway
7.6 mi
9m
Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
0.9 mi
1m
Edwards Access Road
0.6 mi
1m
East Dry Creek Road
0.3 mi
<1m
US 6
0.1 mi
<1m
East Panorama Circle
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 70
— 97.7 mi, about 1h 54m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Centennial, CO and Edwards, 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
98 mi·1 hr 54 min·I 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward Edwards
16
Enter roundabout onto I 70 Business
250 ft·5 sec·Edwards Access Road
17
Continue on I 70 Business
314 ft·6 sec·Edwards Access Road
18
Enter roundabout onto I 70 Business
106 ft·2 sec·Edwards Access Road
19
Continue on I 70 Business
301 ft·6 sec·Edwards Access Road
20
Enter roundabout onto I 70 Business
76 ft·1 sec·Edwards Access Road
21
Continue on I 70 Business
0.4 mi·40 sec·Edwards Access Road
22
Turn right
211 ft·15 sec
23
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a 2-hour and 27-minute journey, you have plenty of flexibility in your schedule, but it is wise to account for potential traffic patterns on I-70. Given the 97.7-mile primary highway stretch, ensure your vehicle is fueled up before leaving, as the $18 cost estimate assumes efficient travel. You won't necessarily need to schedule formal stops given the short duration, but having your playlist or podcast queue ready for the long interstate portion will make the time pass more quickly. If you have the choice, try to avoid peak weekend travel times on the interstate to keep your commute as smooth as possible. Always check road conditions before departing, as mountain weather can change quickly even on well-maintained highway routes.
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 60.9 miles from Centennial, CO, or about 1h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 97.7 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 27 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 60.9 miles or 1h 15m 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
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Edwards, 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 121.8 miles and 2h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Centennial, CO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 70 for about 97.7 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 121.2 — 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
121.2 mi into trip|~2h 25m in|I 70 Business / Edwards Access Road
Enter roundabout onto I 70 Business / Edwards Access Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.35 one way
$36.70 round trip
$3.83/gal25.4 MPG avg43 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.05
$19.43
$38.86
premium
$4.39
$21.07
$42.14
diesel
$5.61
$26.89
$53.78
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 42.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
36.5
0
$12.79
$5.85
Efficient EV
30.5
0
$10.66
$4.87
EV Truck/SUV
48.7
0
$17.05
$7.80
Gas CO2
43 kg
EV CO2
14 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
Centennial, CO
Late night
in Centennial on Sunday
Local time
1:54 AM
MDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Edwards, CO
Late night
in Edwards on Sunday
Local time
1:54 AM
MDT
Current temp
64°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
13 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 27m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is heavily highway-focused, with 87% of your travel occurring on major thoroughfares. You will spend the bulk of your time on I-70, which features a long, uninterrupted stretch of 97.7 miles that defines the rhythm of the drive. While the exit from Centennial involves local freeway connections, the experience quickly shifts to a high-speed interstate environment as you head west. Expect a consistent, efficient pace that allows you to cover the distance without the technical demands of winding backroads. It is a practical, no-nonsense drive that rewards drivers looking for steady momentum rather than frequent stops.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 97.7 mi on I 70.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 Effort9/10
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 17 significant decision points across 121.8 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
12,551 ft5,382 ft
Total Climb
8,754 ft
Total Descent
7,361 ft
Highest Point
12,551 ft
~69.6 mi in
Elevation Range
7,169 ft
Notable High Points
12,551 ft at ~69.6 miles+2,990 ft prominence
10,408 ft at ~95.7 miles+746 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 Edwards, CO, road signs begin pointing toward Lakewood along the way.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 27m. Total distance: 121.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 97.7 miles on I 70. 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 Edwards, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
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. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Edwards, CO before heading back.
