Spanning 167.2 miles across the Colorado plains, this route takes you from Denver to Burlington in approximately 2 hours and 58 minutes. Because the drive is relatively short, it functions perfectly as a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You should budget about $25 for fuel to cover the journey comfortably. Since both cities are located within the Mountain West region, you will experience a consistent cultural and geographic atmosphere throughout the transit. This trip is straightforward and manageable, making it a reliable option for those looking to cross the state with minimal logistical stress.
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
83.6 miles from Denver, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 32m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
150.5 mi
2h 30m
I 70
9 mi
12m
Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway
2.4 mi
2m
Park Avenue West
1 mi
2m
Grand Army of the Republic Highway
1 mi
1m
North Lincoln Street
0.5 mi
1m
South Lincoln Street
0.5 mi
<1m
Rose Avenue
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 150.5 mi, about 2h 30m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Denver, CO and Burlington, CO.
1
Start on this road
379 ft·29 sec·this road
2
Turn right
62 ft·11 sec
3
Turn left onto I 70 Business; US 40; US 287
362 ft·14 sec·East Colfax Avenue
4
Turn right onto North Lincoln Street
0.5 mi·1 min·North Lincoln Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
5
Continue on 20th Street
500 ft·18 sec·20th Street
6
Turn right onto North Broadway
0.4 mi·1 min·North Broadway
7
Turn left onto Park Avenue West
1.0 mi·2 min·Park Avenue West
Toward I 25Use the left lane.
8
Take the ramp
458 ft·11 sec
Toward I 25 North, I 70: Fort Collins, Limon, Grand JunctionUse the right lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward I 70: Limon, Grand Junction
10
Continue on Grand Army of the Republic Highway
1.0 mi·1 min·Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Toward I 70
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·40 sec
12
Merge onto I 70
9.0 mi·12 min·I 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
2.4 mi·2 min·Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Continue on I 70
151 mi·2 hr 30 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit onto I 70 Business
0.2 mi·32 sec·I 70 Business
Toward US 385, I 70 Business: Lincoln StreetUse the slight right lane.
16
Turn left onto I 70 Business; US 385
0.5 mi·50 sec·South Lincoln Street
17
Turn right onto I 70 Business; US 24; US 385
0.5 mi·55 sec·Rose Avenue
Use the right lane.
18
Turn left onto 15th Street
0.4 mi·1 min·15th Street
Use the left lane.
19
Arrive at destination
15th Street
Trip Plan
Given the local nature of the roads, plan to depart early to avoid urban traffic congestion as you navigate out of the city. Incorporate at least one planned stop into your itinerary to break up the 167.2-mile journey and keep your focus sharp during the turn-heavy sections. Because this is a shorter trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace based on local road conditions or your own comfort levels. Keep a close eye on your navigation system, as the reliance on city streets like 20th Street and East Colfax Avenue requires frequent course adjustments. Prioritize having a reliable GPS or map handy, as the lack of highway signage means you will be making several turns to stay on track.
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 83.6 miles from Denver, CO, or about 1h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 150.5 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 37 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 83.6 miles or 1h 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 2h 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Burlington, CO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Denver, 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 Denver, CO
This is one driving day of about 167.2 miles and 2h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Denver, 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 Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for about 150.5 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.2 and 165.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.2 mi into trip|~4m in|Park Avenue West
Turn left onto Park Avenue West toward I 25
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 25
6
2.2 mi into trip|~6m in
Take the ramp toward I 25 North, I 70: Fort Collins, Limon, Grand Junction
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward I 25 North, I 70: Fort Collins, Limon, G...
7
2.3 mi into trip|~6m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 70: Limon, Grand Junction
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 70: Limon, Grand Junction
6
12.7 mi into trip|~21m in|I 70 / Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70 / Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
165.6 mi into trip|~2h 54m in|I 70 Business
Take the exit onto I 70 Business toward US 385, I 70 Business: Lincoln 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.
Toward US 385, I 70 Business: Lincoln Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.19 one way
$50.38 round trip
$3.83/gal25.4 MPG avg59 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.05
$26.67
$53.35
premium
$4.39
$28.92
$57.85
diesel
$5.61
$36.92
$73.83
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
50.2
0
$17.56
$8.03
Efficient EV
41.8
0
$14.63
$6.69
EV Truck/SUV
66.9
0
$23.41
$10.70
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 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
Denver, CO
Night
in Denver on Saturday
Local time
10:33 PM
MDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Burlington, CO
Night
in Burlington on Saturday
Local time
10:33 PM
MDT
Current temp
47°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
1 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 58m 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 prioritizes community connectivity over high-speed interstate travel. You will navigate through city streets including East Colfax Avenue, North Lincoln Street, and 20th Street rather than relying on major highway corridors. With a 0% highway share, the experience feels more like a deliberate, tactical navigation through local infrastructure than a standard freeway cruise. The road demands your full attention as you move between turns, offering a distinct departure from the monotony of typical interstate transit. You will find yourself constantly engaged with the local road network for the entire duration of the trip.
Only 5% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 150.5 mi on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.2 miles in near Park Avenue West.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 167.2 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 1.2 miles (Park Avenue West): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 58m. Total distance: 167.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 150.5 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower 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 Burlington, 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 1.2 miles (Park Avenue West): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Burlington, CO before heading back.
