Origin
Colorado City, CO
Night in Colorado City on Saturday
Local time
10:42 PM
MDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Colorado City, CO to Westminster, CO
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 46m
Distance
149 mi
240 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 36m
★
6 AM
2h 47m
8 AM
3h 9m
10 AM
2h 55m
12 PM
2h 52m
3 PM
2h 56m
5 PM
3h 8m
8 PM
2h 40m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Colorado City, CO
gabesdotphotos photographer
Westminster, CO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 149-mile drive from Colorado City to Westminster, Colorado, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 46 minutes. You'll primarily navigate on the Ronald Reagan Highway, John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway, and South Freeway, with a significant portion (16%) being on highways. Budget around $22 for fuel. This route keeps you within the Mountain West region, offering a straightforward journey. Given its manageable length and duration, it’s perfect for a quick transit or a day trip without needing an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
74.5 miles from Colorado City, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 21m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Ronald Reagan Highway | 91.6 mi | 1h 39m |
| John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway | 31.3 mi | 31m |
| South Freeway | 10.4 mi | 13m |
| Monument Valley Freeway | 8.5 mi | 9m |
| CO 165 | 2.6 mi | 4m |
| Denver–Boulder Turnpike | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| West 80th Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Lowell Boulevard | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Ronald Reagan Highway
— 91.6 mi, about 1h 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Colorado City, CO and Westminster, CO.
1
Start on this road
166 ft
·
17 sec
·
this road
2
At end of road, turn left onto Bent Brothers Boulevard
169 ft
·
13 sec
·
Bent Brothers Boulevard
3
Turn left onto CO 165
2.6 mi
·
4 min
·
CO 165
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward I 25 North: Pueblo
5
Merge onto I 25
18 mi
·
18 min
·
John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
6
Continue on I 25
10 mi
·
13 min
·
South Freeway
Use the straight lane.
7
Continue on I 25
13 mi
·
12 min
·
John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 25
23 mi
·
23 min
·
Ronald Reagan Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 25; US 24
8.5 mi
·
9 min
·
Monument Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 25
69 mi
·
1 hr 16 min
·
Ronald Reagan Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
51 sec
Exit 217A
Toward US 36 West: Westminster, Boulder
Use the slight left lane.
12
Merge onto US 36
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward US 287: Federal Boulevard
Use the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward US 287 North: Federal Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Turn straight onto US 287
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
Federal Boulevard
16
Turn left onto West 80th Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West 80th Avenue
Use the left lane.
17
Turn left onto Lowell Boulevard
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
·
Lowell Boulevard
Use the left lane.
18
Turn right onto West 77th Avenue
0.2 mi
·
41 sec
·
West 77th Avenue
19
Turn right onto Newton Street
114 ft
·
5 sec
·
Newton Street
20
Arrive at destination
Newton Street
Trip Plan
With a total duration of under 3 hours, this 149-mile trip offers a lot of flexibility. You can easily depart in the morning and arrive by lunchtime, or even leave in the afternoon. There's one recommended stop, so plan for a brief break to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, with an estimated cost of $22 for the journey. A specific tip for this route: pay close attention to the varying speed limits, especially as you transition between the longer highway stretches and the more local road sections.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 74.5 miles from Colorado City, CO, or about 1h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 91.6 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 33 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 74.5 miles or 1h 21m 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 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Westminster, CO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Colorado City, 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 Colorado City, CO
This is one driving day of about 149 miles and 2h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Colorado City, 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 Ronald Reagan Highway for about 91.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
75 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 33 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 74.5 miles from Colorado City, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Ronald Reagan Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 91.6 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 125 decision points cluster between mile 144.8 and 148.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
144.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 39m in
Take the exit toward US 36 West: Westminster, Boulder
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 217A
Toward US 36 West: Westminster, Boulder
6
147.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 42m in
Take the exit toward US 287: Federal Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 287: Federal Boulevard
8
147.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 42m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 287 North: Federal Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 287 North: Federal Boulevard
6
147.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 44m in
|
West 80th Avenue
Turn left onto West 80th Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
148.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 45m in
|
Lowell Boulevard
Turn left onto Lowell Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.45 one way
$44.90 round trip
$3.83/gal
25.4 MPG avg
52 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.05 | $23.77 | $47.54 |
| premium | $4.39 | $25.78 | $51.55 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $32.90 | $65.79 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.12
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
(1.8 mi)
$0.12
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
$22
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 52.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 44.7 | 0 | $15.64 | $7.15 |
| Efficient EV | 37.3 | 0 | $13.04 | $5.96 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 59.6 | 0 | $20.86 | $9.54 |
Gas CO2
52 kg
EV CO2
17 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.
Destination
Westminster, CO
Night in Westminster on Saturday
Local time
10:42 PM
MDT
Current temp
46°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
28 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 46m 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 turn-heavy local drive for much of this 149-mile journey. While 16% of the route utilizes highways, the overall feel is more akin to navigating through various towns and interconnected roads rather than a continuous interstate cruise. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 91.6 miles on the Ronald Reagan Highway. This means you'll likely experience more frequent changes in speed limits and road conditions as you progress from Colorado City towards Westminster.
Only 16% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 91.6 mi on Ronald Reagan Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 144.8 miles in.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 149 miles you will encounter 12 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 144.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 147.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 147.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Arriving in Westminster, CO
Full guide →Westminster is a city of about 115,000 in the Denver Metropolitan Area of the western U.S. state of Colorado. The city lies northwest of Denver in Adams and Jefferson counties.
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 2h 46m. Total distance: 149 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 91.6 miles on Ronald Reagan Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.12 in tolls one way, starting with Denver–Boulder Turnpike. 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 Westminster, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 144.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 147.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 147.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Westminster, 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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