Traveling from Cripple Creek to Denver covers approximately 112.3 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 13 minutes to complete. This journey is perfectly suited as a one-day trip, allowing you to easily manage the distance without needing an overnight stay. You should budget roughly $15 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Mountain West locations. Because the route relies on local roads rather than major interstates, your pace will be steady rather than high-speed. It is an honest, straightforward drive that connects the historic mountain atmosphere of Cripple Creek to the urban center of Denver. Planning for a single day of travel provides plenty of flexibility for your schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
54.6 miles from Cripple Creek, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 25m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Ronald Reagan Highway
57.6 mi
1h 1m
South State Highway 67
18.1 mi
31m
US 24
15.5 mi
23m
CO 67
6.9 mi
9m
Monument Valley Freeway
3.2 mi
3m
South Logan Street
2.7 mi
5m
West Fillmore Street
1.5 mi
3m
South 31st Street
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Ronald Reagan Highway
— 57.6 mi, about 1h 1m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cripple Creek, CO and Denver, CO.
1
Start on CO 67
17 ft·2 sec·East Bennett Avenue
2
Turn right onto South 2nd Street
337 ft·16 sec·South 2nd Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
3
Turn right onto East Carr Avenue
0.2 mi·54 sec·East Carr Avenue
4
Turn left onto North 4th Street
0.1 mi·24 sec·North 4th Street
5
At end of road, turn right onto East Golden Avenue
424 ft·20 sec·East Golden Avenue
6
Turn left onto CO 67
0.1 mi·17 sec·North 5th Street
7
Continue on CO 67
18 mi·31 min·South State Highway 67
8
Take the ramp onto CO 67
6.9 mi·9 min·CO 67
Toward CO 67: US Highway 24
9
Continue on US 24
16 mi·23 min·US 24
10
Turn sharp left onto South 31st Street
0.7 mi·1 min·South 31st Street
11
Turn right onto West Fontanero Street
0.3 mi·31 sec·West Fontanero Street
12
Continue on Fontmore Road
0.6 mi·1 min·Fontmore Road
13
Continue on West Fillmore Street
1.5 mi·3 min·West Fillmore Street
14
Take the ramp
161 ft·6 sec
Toward I 25
15
Turn left
0.1 mi·17 sec
16
Merge onto I 25
3.2 mi·3 min·Monument Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on I 25
58 mi·1 hr 1 min·Ronald Reagan Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.1 mi·15 sec
Exit 206Toward Downing Street, Washington Street, Emerson StreetUse the slight right lane.
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward Emerson Street, Washington StreetUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on East Buchtel North Boulevard
0.6 mi·1 min·East Buchtel North Boulevard
21
Turn right onto South Logan Street
2.7 mi·5 min·South Logan Street
22
Turn left onto East 13th Avenue
0.1 mi·26 sec·East 13th Avenue
23
Turn right onto Sherman Street
0.1 mi·33 sec·Sherman Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
At end of road, turn right
298 ft·21 sec
25
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this 2-hour and 13-minute trip involves zero scheduled stops, you should plan your breaks based on your personal comfort. Departing early in the day is a smart move to avoid heavy traffic as you approach Denver. Keep in mind that your $15 fuel budget is an estimate, so filling up your tank before you leave Cripple Creek ensures you won't need to worry about finding a station while navigating the local streets. Because the entire route is composed of local roads, use a reliable GPS to track your turns on North 4th Street and East Carr Avenue. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, so feel free to pull over safely if you need a quick break from the continuous turning.
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 54.6 miles from Cripple Creek, CO, or about 1h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 57.6 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 24 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 54.6 miles or 1h 25m 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 2m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Denver, CO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Cripple Creek, 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 Cripple Creek, CO
This is one driving day of about 109.3 miles and 2h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Cripple Creek, CO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Ronald Reagan Highway for about 57.6 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 and 109.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0 mi into trip|~0m in|South 2nd Street
Turn right onto South 2nd Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|East Carr Avenue
Turn right onto East Carr Avenue
Navigation decision point
8
105.3 mi into trip|~2h 19m in
Take the exit toward Downing Street, Washington Street, Emerson Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 206
Toward Downing Street, Washington Street, Emers...
9
105.4 mi into trip|~2h 19m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Emerson Street, Washington Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward Emerson Street, Washington Street
7
109.1 mi into trip|~2h 27m in|Sherman Street
Turn right onto Sherman Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.47 one way
$32.94 round trip
$3.83/gal25.4 MPG avg38 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.05
$17.44
$34.87
premium
$4.39
$18.91
$37.82
diesel
$5.61
$24.13
$48.26
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 38.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
32.8
0
$11.48
$5.25
Efficient EV
27.3
0
$9.56
$4.37
EV Truck/SUV
43.7
0
$15.30
$7.00
Gas CO2
38 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (66% 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
Cripple Creek, CO
Night
in Cripple Creek on Saturday
Local time
10:39 PM
MDT
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Denver, CO
Night
in Denver on Saturday
Local time
10:39 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
8 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
2h 28m 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?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this route features a 0% highway share, meaning you will navigate surface streets like South 2nd Street, East Carr Avenue, and North 4th Street for the entire duration. Because the longest stretch is 0 miles on South 2nd Street, you will find yourself navigating frequent turns and transitions rather than long, straightaways. The road requires constant engagement and offers a technical driving experience that contrasts sharply with typical high-speed transit. Prepare for a winding journey that keeps you active and alert as you transition from the mountains toward the city.
40% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 57.6 mi on Ronald Reagan Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near South 2nd Street.
Driving Effort6/10
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 109.3 miles you will encounter 16 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: near the start (South 2nd Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.1 miles (East Carr Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 105.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Denver is the capital of the western U.S. state of Colorado and the dominant city of the Rocky Mountain Region. Founded in 1858 as the placer gold mining camp known as the Cherry Creek Diggings, the "Mile-High City" is today the most populous city within a 560-mile (900 km) radius and the center of the Front Range Urban Corridor of more than five million residents. Denver embraces its cowboy and mining past but also looks toward the future with a vibrant arts and performing arts scene, dozens of great outdoor festivals, and distinct neighborhoods each offering a unique experience. You'll find everything a cosmopolitan city has to offer including a spectacular view of and easy access to the beautiful Rocky Mountains, which arise only 12 miles (19 km) west of the Colorado State Capitol.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 28m. Total distance: 109.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (40%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 57.6 miles on Ronald Reagan Highway. 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 Denver, 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: near the start (South 2nd Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.1 miles (East Carr Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 105.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Denver, CO before heading back.
