If you are planning to travel from Delta to Denver, expect a journey covering 276.2 miles that typically takes about 5 hours and 23 minutes. This trip is best suited as a single-day commitment, keeping your travel plans straightforward and efficient. You will primarily utilize a mix of I-70 BUS, US 50, and the West 6th Avenue Freeway to navigate the Mountain West region. Budgeting approximately $42 for fuel is a smart way to prepare for the costs ahead. Because the drive is designed to be completed in one day, it offers a practical connection between these two Colorado locations without the need for an overnight stop.
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
138.1 miles from Delta, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 43m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 70 BUS
226.5 mi
4h 14m
US 50
27.7 mi
33m
West 6th Avenue Freeway
10.1 mi
14m
32 Road
5.4 mi
9m
Main Street
5 mi
7m
North Lincoln Street
0.9 mi
2m
East 4th Street
0.1 mi
<1m
East 14th Avenue
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 70 BUS
— 226.5 mi, about 4h 14m
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 Delta, CO and Denver, CO.
1
Start on this road
187 ft·15 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto East 4th Street
0.1 mi·19 sec·East 4th Street
3
Turn right onto US 50
5.0 mi·7 min·Main Street
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
4
Continue on US 50
16 mi·18 min·US 50
5
Continue on US 50
12 mi·14 min·US 50
6
Continue on CO 141
5.4 mi·9 min·32 Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
7
Turn right onto I 70 BUS; US 6
0.3 mi·34 sec·I 70 BUS; US 6
8
Continue on I 70 BUS; US 6
0.8 mi·1 min·I 70 BUS; US 6
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70 BUS
225 mi·4 hr 12 min·I 70 BUS
Toward I 70 East: DenverUse the slight right lane.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Exit 261Toward US 6 East: 6th Avenue, LakewoodUse the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto US 6
10 mi·14 min·West 6th Avenue Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Turn left onto North Lincoln Street
0.9 mi·2 min·North Lincoln Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
13
Turn right onto East 14th Avenue
353 ft·17 sec·East 14th Avenue
Use the right lane.
14
Turn left
358 ft·27 sec
Use the straight / left lanes.
15
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since you are looking at a drive spanning over five hours, aim for an early departure to avoid peak traffic as you approach the Denver area. You are allotted one stop for this trip, so choose a location that allows you to stretch your legs and refuel effectively. Given the length of the 226.5-mile stretch on I-70 BUS, make sure your vehicle is prepared for an extended period of highway driving before you leave Delta. Flexibility is your best asset here; use your single planned stop strategically to manage your energy levels throughout the 276.2-mile trek.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 138.1 miles from Delta, CO, or about 2h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 226.5 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 61 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 138.1 miles or 2h 43m 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 22m
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 Delta, 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 Delta, CO
This is one driving day of about 276.2 miles and 5h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 miles from Delta, 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 BUS for about 226.5 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 8
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 276.1 — 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|US 50 / Main Street
Turn right onto US 50 / Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
7
39.3 mi into trip|~52m in|I 70 BUS
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70 BUS toward I 70 East: Denver
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 70 East: Denver
8
264.7 mi into trip|~5h 5m in
Take the exit toward US 6 East: 6th Avenue, Lakewood
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 261
Toward US 6 East: 6th Avenue, Lakewood
6
276.1 mi into trip|~5h 22m in|East 14th Avenue
Turn right onto East 14th Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
276.1 mi into trip|~5h 23m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.12 one way
$84.23 round trip
$3.87/gal25.4 MPG avg97 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$44.77
$89.54
premium
$4.45
$48.42
$96.84
diesel
$4.80
$52.15
$104.30
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 96.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
82.9
1
$29.00
$13.26
Efficient EV
69.1
0
$24.17
$11.05
EV Truck/SUV
110.5
1
$38.67
$17.68
Gas CO2
97 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (67% 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
Delta, CO
Late night
in Delta on Sunday
Local time
1:04 AM
MDT
Current temp
59°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy
E 5 mph35% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 12:00PM MDT until July 20 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Denver CO
Destination
Denver, CO
Late night
in Denver on Sunday
Local time
1:04 AM
MDT
Current temp
66°F
Mostly Clear
SSW 3 to 9 mph2% chanceLive forecast
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
7 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
5h 23m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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.
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...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
$25
near mile 38.1
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 96% of your route spent on major thoroughfares. You should be prepared for a significant long-haul experience, as the longest uninterrupted stretch covers 226.5 miles on I-70 BUS. The road transitions from regional highways to major freeway infrastructure, requiring you to maintain focus through varying traffic patterns. While the route is highly efficient for covering ground quickly, the heavy reliance on highway travel means the experience is defined by steady, consistent movement rather than frequent stops.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 226.5 mi on I 70 BUS.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 70 BUS and US 50. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near US 50 / Main Street.
Driving Effort5/10
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 276.2 miles you will encounter 8 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 0.1 miles (US 50 / Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 39.3 miles (I 70 BUS): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 264.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mountain driving with significant elevation changes
Delta is a town in the Southwestern part of the Rocky Mountains state of Colorado. It is also in the West Elks American Viticultural Area (AVA), a part of Colorado's Wine Country and home to the highest wine vineyards in North America.
Delta is a hub for tourism and recreation, including camping, hiking, fishing, hunting and mountain bike riding. Delta is highly cognizant of preserving its history. The town has more than 20 beautiful murals depicting its fruit orchards and other past times. There are several buildings in town on the National Historic Register, including the Egyptian Theater, an "Egyptian Revival" art deco movie house from the 1920s.
In 2020, it was home to 9,000 people.
Top landmarks
•Egyptian Theatre — movie theater in Delta, Colorado, United States
•Delta County Bank Building — department store in Delta, Colorado
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.
Top landmarks
•Denver Art Museum — museum in Denver, Colorado, United States
•Denver Mint — United States Mint branch in Denver, Colorado
•Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception — church in Colorado, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 23m. Total distance: 276.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 226.5 miles on I 70 BUS. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 0.1 miles (US 50 / Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 39.3 miles (I 70 BUS): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 264.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Colorado National Monument and Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Denver, CO before the return drive.
