Bike path access
0 mi from route
Trip from Centennial, CO to Telluride, CO
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Sep 4, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 37m
Distance
373.6 mi
601 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$63
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 28m
★
6 AM
7h 38m
8 AM
7h 57m
10 AM
7h 45m
12 PM
7h 43m
3 PM
7h 46m
5 PM
7h 56m
8 PM
7h 32m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Centennial, CO
Wikimedia Commons
Telluride, CO
gabesdotphotos photographer
Trip Overview
The drive from Centennial, CO to Telluride, CO covers 373.6 miles and takes about 7h 37m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 70, South Townsend Avenue, Sherman Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 224.5 miles on I 70. At current regular gas prices, budget about $63.04 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
186.8 miles from Centennial, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 32m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 70 | 224.5 mi | 4h 8m |
| South Townsend Avenue | 26.1 mi | 35m |
| Sherman Street | 23.3 mi | 31m |
| Main Street | 20.8 mi | 27m |
| US 50 | 14.8 mi | 17m |
| CO 145 | 12.7 mi | 21m |
| South Valley Highway | 12.5 mi | 15m |
| United States Highway 50 | 11.7 mi | 14m |
Longest stretch:
I 70
— 224.5 mi, about 4h 8m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 32 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,409 veh/hr typical · worst 2,083
Quietest
2 AM
~77 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
18.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 105 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 Telluride, 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 North
Use 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-B
Toward US 6 West: 6th Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
Exit 209B
Toward US 6 West: 6th Avenue, Lakewood
Use 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 Junction
Use 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
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
I 70 BUS
Exit 37
Toward I 70 Business, US 6, US 50: Clifton, Grand Junction, Delta
Use the left lane.
16
Continue on I 70 BUS; US 6
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
I 70 BUS; US 6
17
Turn left onto CO 141
5.4 mi
·
9 min
·
32 Road
Use the left lane.
18
At end of road, turn left onto US 50; CO 141
12 mi
·
14 min
·
United States Highway 50
Toward Delta
Use the left lane.
19
Continue on US 50
15 mi
·
17 min
·
US 50
20
Turn right onto G50 Road
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
G50 Road
Use the right lane.
21
Continue on G Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
G Road
22
Continue on G Road
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
G Road
23
Continue on West 5th Street
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
West 5th Street
24
Turn right onto Confluence Drive
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Confluence Drive
25
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
26
Merge onto US 50
21 mi
·
27 min
·
Main Street
Use the straight lane.
27
Continue on US 550
26 mi
·
35 min
·
South Townsend Avenue
Use the left lane.
28
Turn right onto CO 62
23 mi
·
31 min
·
Sherman Street
29
Turn left onto CO 145
13 mi
·
21 min
·
CO 145
30
Enter roundabout onto West Colorado Avenue
105 ft
·
2 sec
·
West Colorado Avenue
31
Continue on West Colorado Avenue
2.9 mi
·
6 min
·
West Colorado Avenue
Use the straight lane.
32
Enter roundabout onto West Colorado Avenue
85 ft
·
4 sec
·
West Colorado Avenue
33
Continue on West Colorado Avenue
0.5 mi
·
2 min
·
West Colorado Avenue
34
Arrive at destination
West Colorado Avenue
Trip Plan
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 186.8 miles from Centennial, CO, or about 3h 32m 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 82 miles or 1h 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 186.8 miles or 3h 32m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Telluride, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Centennial, CO
This is one driving day of about 373.6 miles and 7h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 82 miles from Centennial, CO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks 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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
187 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 82 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 186.8 miles from Centennial, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 70 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 224.5 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.
CDOT Rest Area: Bair Ranch
0 mi from route
CDOT Rest Area: Edwards
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
CDOT Rest Area: No Name
0.1 mi from route
Grizzly Creek
0.1 mi from route
CDOT Rest Area: Hanging Lake
0.1 mi from route
CDOT Rest Area: Vail Pass
0.1 mi from route
Golden Gate Gas
0.1 mi from route
CDOT Rest Area: Rifle
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Edwards Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 235 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 255.1 — 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
8
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. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Exit 37
Toward I 70 Business, US 6, US 50: Clifton, Gra...
7
255.1 mi into trip
|
~4h 52m in
|
US 50; CO 141 / United States Highway 50
At end of road, turn left onto US 50; CO 141 / United States Highway 50 toward Delta
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward Delta
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$63.04 one way
$126.08 round trip
$4.29/gal
25.4 MPG avg
131 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.52 | $66.53 | $133.05 |
| premium | $4.89 | $71.90 | $143.79 |
| diesel | $5.60 | $82.35 | $164.71 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$63
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$88–$113
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 130.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 112.1 | 1 | $39.23 | $17.93 |
| Efficient EV | 93.4 | 1 | $32.69 | $14.94 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 149.4 | 1 | $52.30 | $23.91 |
Gas CO2
131 kg
EV CO2
44 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.
Origin
Centennial, CO
Morning in Centennial on Friday
Local time
7:25 AM
MDT
Current temp
63°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 7 mph
3% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Telluride, CO
Morning in Telluride on Friday
Local time
7:25 AM
MDT
Current temp
45°F
Mostly Cloudy
SSE 5 mph
8% chance
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
18 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
7h 37m 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.
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park
National Park
Big enough to be overwhelming, yet still intimate enough to feel the pulse of time. Come see some of the steepest cliffs, oldest rock, and craggiest spires in North America. Forces of nature and the G...
11 mi from route
~28 min detour
$30
near mile 309.2
Caution: Stage 1 Fire Restrictions in Effect
Park Closure: East Portal Road
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...
14 mi from route
~35 min detour
$25
near mile 257.6
View on nps.gov
Curecanti National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
Three reservoirs and surrounding lands make up this recreation area in western Colorado. It is a landscape of tradeoffs; natural and human made features exist together. Geologic wonders are abundant f...
27 mi from route
~67 min detour
Free
near mile 322
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
373.6 mi in 7h 37m, mostly highway — 224.5 mi of that is on I 70.
73% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
34 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?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 70 and South Townsend Avenue. 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
9/10
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 23 significant decision points across 373.6 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
9,201 ft
4,755 ft
Total Climb
7,403 ft
Total Descent
4,446 ft
Highest Point
9,201 ft
~80 mi in
Elevation Range
4,446 ft
Notable High Points
9,201 ft at ~80 miles
+879 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Telluride, CO, road signs point toward Grand Junction and Delta.
Grand Junction
247.9 mi in
|
~4h 39m
|
via I 70 BUS
Delta
247.9 mi in
|
~4h 39m
|
via I 70 BUS
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 Douglas County southeast of Denver.
Top landmarks
- • Seventeen Mile House — historic site in Centennial, Colorado
Arriving in Telluride, CO
Full guide →Founded 1878
Telluride is in the southern Rocky Mountains approximately 100 miles (160 km) from Four Corners, the intersection of Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah. Telluride is home to the Telluride Ski Resort, and home of an independent film festival.
Top landmarks
- • Telluride Historic District — historic district in Colorado, United States
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 7h 37m. Total distance: 373.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 37m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
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 12 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 Telluride, 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 12 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 — Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park, Colorado National Monument and Curecanti National Recreation Area. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.6 hours each way, a round trip means 15.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Telluride, CO before the return drive.
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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Telluride, CO
More trips to Telluride, CO
Explore more options from Centennial, CO or browse trips ending in Telluride, CO.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse CO road trips.