Denver to Loma is 260 miles and takes about 4h 52m via I 70, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Colorado, moving from the Mountain West region to the same region. It's a straightforward, mostly highway drive, making it a convenient option for a single-day excursion. You'll spend the vast majority of your time on the interstate, so plan for consistent travel speeds. This route is ideal if you need to get from point A to point B efficiently without many detours.
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
130 miles from Denver, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 27m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 70
246.4 mi
4h 31m
West 6th Avenue Freeway
9.5 mi
11m
13 Road
1.2 mi
2m
East 8th Avenue
0.9 mi
2m
Grant Street
0.8 mi
1m
North Kalamath Street
0.1 mi
<1m
East Colfax Avenue
<0.1 mi
<1m
M 1/4 Road
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 70
— 246.4 mi, about 4h 31m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 32 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,409 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,083
Quietest
2 AM
~77 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
18.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 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 Denver, CO and Loma, CO.
1
Start on this road
379 ft·29 sec·this road
2
Turn right
62 ft·8 sec
3
Turn right onto I 70 Business; US 40; US 287
358 ft·14 sec·East Colfax Avenue
4
Turn right onto Grant Street
0.8 mi·1 min·Grant Street
Use the right lane.
5
Turn right onto East 8th Avenue
0.9 mi·2 min·East 8th Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Continue on North Kalamath Street
0.1 mi·22 sec·North Kalamath Street
7
Continue on 6
9.5 mi·11 min·West 6th Avenue Freeway
Toward West 6th Avenue FreewayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.7 mi·55 sec
Toward I 70 West: Grand JunctionUse the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto I 70
246 mi·4 hr 31 min·I 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·34 sec
Toward CO 139: Loma, Rangely
11
Turn right onto CO 139
1.2 mi·2 min·13 Road
12
Turn left onto M¼
62 ft·2 sec·M 1/4 Road
13
Arrive at destination
M¼
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 4-hour drive, consider leaving Denver in the morning to arrive in Loma with plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing yourself. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the longest stretch of 246.4 miles on I 70, as services can be spaced out. The relatively short duration means you can depart later in the day if needed, but an early start is recommended for a relaxed arrival. Ensure your vehicle is in good condition for consistent highway speeds.
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 130 miles from Denver, CO, or about 2h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 246.4 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 57 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 130 miles or 2h 27m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 59m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Loma, 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 260 miles and 4h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 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 I 70 for about 246.4 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 258.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|Grant Street
Turn right onto Grant Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
0.9 mi into trip|~2m in|East 8th Avenue
Turn right onto East 8th Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
11.4 mi into trip|~17m in
Take the exit toward I 70 West: Grand Junction
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 70 West: Grand Junction
5
12.1 mi into trip|~18m in|I 70
Merge onto I 70
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
258.5 mi into trip|~4h 49m in
Take the exit toward CO 139: Loma, Rangely
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward CO 139: Loma, Rangely
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$44.29 one way
$88.58 round trip
$4.33/gal25.4 MPG avg91 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.58
$46.84
$93.68
premium
$4.90
$50.20
$100.40
diesel
$6.18
$63.25
$126.50
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 91 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
78
0
$27.30
$12.48
Efficient EV
65
0
$22.75
$10.40
EV Truck/SUV
104
1
$36.40
$16.64
Gas CO2
91 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Oct 16, 2026
Origin
Denver, CO
Late night
in Denver on Saturday
Local time
5:51 AM
MDT
Current temp
59°F
Sunny
ESE 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 11:26AM MDT until October 17 at 9:00AM MDT by NWS Denver CO
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 9:53AM MDT until October 17 at 9:00AM MDT by NWS Grand Junction CO
Destination
Loma, CO
Late night
in Loma on Saturday
Local time
5:51 AM
MDT
Current temp
64°F
Sunny
WSW 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 11:26AM MDT until October 17 at 9:00AM MDT by NWS Denver CO
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 9:53AM MDT until October 17 at 9:00AM MDT by NWS Grand Junction 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
5 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
4h 52m 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...
5 mi from route
~14 min detour
$25
near mile 251
Caution: 8/3/26 - 8/28/26 Closure at Devils Kitchen Picnic Area Parking Lot
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is primarily on I 70, with 98% of the route being highway. You'll experience a long stretch of 246.4 miles on I 70 before transitioning to surface roads. The bulk of your travel will be on this major interstate, offering a predictable driving experience. Expect the transition to local roads like 13 Road to occur near the end of your trip.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 246.4 mi on I 70.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 70 and West 6th Avenue Freeway. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near Grant Street.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 52m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (Grant Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.9 miles (East 8th Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 11.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mountain driving with significant elevation changes
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
The longest stretch is about 246.4 miles on I 70. 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (Grant Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.9 miles (East 8th Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 11.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Colorado National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Loma, CO, but most travelers stay overnight.
