Origin
Commerce City, CO
Late night in Commerce City on Tuesday
Local time
4:34 AM
MDT
Current temp
36°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Commerce City, CO to Lafayette, CO
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
29m
Distance
18.7 mi
30 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
Good
6 stations
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 27m
★
6 AM
0h 29m
8 AM
0h 34m
10 AM
0h 31m
12 PM
0h 30m
3 PM
0h 31m
5 PM
0h 34m
8 PM
0h 28m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Commerce City, CO
Wikimedia Commons
Lafayette, CO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick commute between Commerce City and Lafayette, this 18.7-mile trip is an efficient way to navigate the Mountain West region. You can expect to reach your destination in about 29 minutes, making this an ideal day trip that requires no overnight stay. Budgeting about $3 for fuel is a safe estimate for the journey. Because the route is short and straightforward, it serves as a practical connection between these two Colorado locations. You won't need to plan for any formal stops along the way, allowing you to complete the drive in one easy stretch.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Denver–Boulder Turnpike | 9 mi | 10m |
| US 287 | 4 mi | 6m |
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 2.9 mi | 4m |
| South Public Road | 1 mi | 3m |
| CO 121 | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| South 112th Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| North Vasquez Boulevard | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Dexter Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
— 9 mi, about 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Commerce City, CO and Lafayette, CO.
1
Start on this road
0.1 mi
·
55 sec
·
this road
2
At end of road, turn right onto Dexter Street
0.1 mi
·
33 sec
·
Dexter Street
3
Turn right
148 ft
·
16 sec
4
Turn left
96 ft
·
12 sec
5
At end of road, turn left onto East 60th Avenue
200 ft
·
14 sec
·
East 60th Avenue
6
Turn right onto US 6; US 85; CO 2
0.2 mi
·
10 sec
·
North Vasquez Boulevard
Use the right lane.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Toward I 270 West: Boulder
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 270
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on US 36
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
11
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
12
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
0.8 mi
·
52 sec
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
42 sec
Toward CO 121: Wadsworth Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Turn right onto CO 121
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
CO 121
16
Continue on US 287
4.0 mi
·
6 min
·
US 287
17
Continue on South 112th Street
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
South 112th Street
18
Enter roundabout onto South Public Road
132 ft
·
3 sec
·
South Public Road
19
Continue on South Public Road
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
South Public Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
20
Turn right
50 ft
·
8 sec
21
Turn left
206 ft
·
15 sec
22
Arrive at destination
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 175 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 12.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Dexter Street
At end of road, turn right onto Dexter Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
6
0.4 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
US 6; US 85; CO 2 / North Vasquez Boulevard
Turn right onto US 6; US 85; CO 2 / North Vasquez Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
0.5 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Take the exit toward I 270 West: Boulder
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 270 West: Boulder
6
10.1 mi into trip
|
~14m in
|
US 36 / Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36 / Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
12.8 mi into trip
|
~17m in
Take the exit toward CO 121: Wadsworth Parkway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward CO 121: Wadsworth Parkway
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$2.82 one way
$5.64 round trip
$3.83/gal
25.4 MPG avg
7 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.05 | $2.98 | $5.97 |
| premium | $4.39 | $3.23 | $6.47 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $4.13 | $8.26 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.63
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
(9 mi)
$0.63
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$3
Tolls
$1
Total
$3
Estimated CO2 emission: 6.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 71% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 5.6 | 0 | $1.96 | $0.90 |
| Efficient EV | 4.7 | 0 | $1.64 | $0.75 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 7.5 | 0 | $2.62 | $1.20 |
Gas CO2
7 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (71% 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
Lafayette, CO
Late night in Lafayette on Tuesday
Local time
4:34 AM
MDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
20 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
29m 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?
This trip is heavily highway-focused, with 71% of your travel taking place on major thoroughfares. You will spend a significant portion of your time on the Denver–Boulder Turnpike and the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, which provide a consistent, fast-paced experience. The longest uninterrupted section covers 9 miles on the Denver–Boulder Turnpike, offering a predictable ride before you transition onto US 287. Expect a functional, interstate-style drive that prioritizes speed and directness over winding scenic detours. As you move from the highway onto local roads, the character of the drive shifts from high-speed commuting to typical suburban navigation.
71% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 9 mi on Denver–Boulder Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Denver–Boulder Turnpike and US 287. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Dexter Street.
Driving Effort
9/10
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 17 decision points packed into just 18.7 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 29m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Dexter Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.4 miles (US 6; US 85; CO 2 / North Vasquez Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 29m. Total distance: 18.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (71%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 9 miles on Denver–Boulder Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.63 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 Lafayette, CO before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Dexter Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.4 miles (US 6; US 85; CO 2 / North Vasquez Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Lafayette, 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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