Centennial to Rangely is 288.5 miles and takes about 6h 17m via I 70 and CO 64, with a fuel budget near $43 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Colorado, moving from the Mountain West region to the Mountain West region. Most of the driving is on highways, making it a straightforward trip. With a duration under seven hours, it's a manageable one-day drive, but you'll want to plan for a full day of travel. Consider this route if you need a direct path across the state.
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
144.3 miles from Centennial, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 47m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 70
170.8 mi
3h 12m
CO 64
55 mi
1h 28m
Government Road
37.1 mi
59m
South Valley Highway
12.5 mi
15m
West 6th Avenue Freeway
7.6 mi
9m
Whiteriver Avenue
1.5 mi
3m
Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
0.9 mi
1m
CO 13
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 70
— 170.8 mi, about 3h 12m
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 Rangely, 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
171 mi·3 hr 12 min·I 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward CO 13 North: Rifle, Meeker
16
Turn right onto CO 13
0.3 mi·35 sec·CO 13
17
Turn slight right onto Whiteriver Avenue
1.5 mi·3 min·Whiteriver Avenue
18
Turn right onto CO 13
0.3 mi·26 sec·Railroad Avenue
19
Continue on CO 13
37 mi·59 min·Government Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Turn left onto CO 64
55 mi·1 hr 28 min·CO 64
Use the left lane.
21
Arrive at destination
CO 64
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6h 17m drive, consider leaving Centennial in the morning to maximize daylight. The drive is mostly highway, so you can cover ground quickly. Plan for your single recommended stop strategically, perhaps midway through the 170.8-mile stretch on I 70. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge; the estimated cost is $43, but it’s always wise to refuel before the tank gets too low, especially as you move onto CO 64 and Government Road. This route is well-suited for a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 144.3 miles from Centennial, CO, or about 2h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 170.8 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 63 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 144.3 miles or 2h 47m 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 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Rangely, 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 288.5 miles and 6h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 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 170.8 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 22.6 — 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
5
0.8 mi into trip|~2m in|I 25 / South Valley Highway
Merge onto I 25 / South Valley Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.99 one way
$87.98 round trip
$3.87/gal25.4 MPG avg101 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$46.76
$93.52
premium
$4.45
$50.58
$101.16
diesel
$4.80
$54.47
$108.95
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 100.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
86.6
1
$30.29
$13.85
Efficient EV
72.1
0
$25.24
$11.54
EV Truck/SUV
115.4
1
$40.39
$18.46
Gas CO2
101 kg
EV CO2
34 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
2:19 AM
MDT
Current temp
66°F
Mostly Clear
SSE 5 to 9 mph8% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 3:57PM MDT until July 17 at 7:00PM MDT by NWS Grand Junction CO
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 12:00PM MDT until July 20 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Denver CO
Destination
Rangely, CO
Late night
in Rangely on Sunday
Local time
2:19 AM
MDT
Current temp
95°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SSW 5 mph16% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 3:57PM MDT until July 17 at 7:00PM MDT by NWS Grand Junction CO
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 12:00PM 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
29 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
6h 17m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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.
Dinosaur National Monument
National Monument
150 million years ago, dinosaurs roamed here. Their fossils are still embedded in the rocks. Today, mountains, desert, and rivers flowing in canyons support a variety of life. Petroglyphs reveal the l...
28 mi from route
~69 min detour
$25
near mile 278.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend most of your time on I 70, which accounts for 81% of the drive. The longest continuous stretch on this highway is 170.8 miles, so expect long periods of highway cruising. Around mile 170.8, you'll transition from I 70 to CO 64, marking the end of the primary highway segment and the beginning of more rural roads. Government Road is the final surface road segment before you reach Rangely.
81% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 170.8 mi on I 70.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 70 and CO 64. 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 288.5 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 0.8 miles (I 25 / South Valley Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 13.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mountain driving with significant elevation changes
9,708 ft5,231 ft
Total Climb
5,249 ft
Total Descent
5,849 ft
Highest Point
9,708 ft
~61.8 mi in
Elevation Range
4,477 ft
Notable High Points
9,708 ft at ~61.8 miles+576 ft prominence
6,789 ft at ~226.7 miles+359 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 Rangely, CO, road signs begin pointing toward Meeker 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 Douglas County southeast of Denver.
Top landmarks
•Seventeen Mile House — historic site in Centennial, Colorado
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 17m. Total distance: 288.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 17m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 170.8 miles on I 70. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 9 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 Rangely, 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 9 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 0.8 miles (I 25 / South Valley Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 13.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Dinosaur National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.3 hours each way, a round trip means 12.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Rangely, CO before the return drive.
