Origin
Durango, CO
Late night in Durango on Tuesday
Local time
3:15 AM
MDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Durango, CO to Westminster, 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
7h 43m
Distance
338.6 mi
545 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$51
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 34m
★
6 AM
7h 44m
8 AM
8h 3m
10 AM
7h 51m
12 PM
7h 49m
3 PM
7h 51m
5 PM
8h 2m
8 PM
7h 38m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Durango, CO
Wikimedia Commons
Westminster, CO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Durango to Westminster is 338.6 miles and takes about 7 hours 43 minutes via US 285, with a fuel budget near $51 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within Colorado's Mountain West region, offering a predominantly highway experience. While much of the route is on main roads like US 285 and US 24, you'll also encounter some surface streets, including Pagosa Street early on. It's a feasible one-day trip if you're looking to cover ground efficiently.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
169.3 miles from Durango, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 55m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 285 | 89.4 mi | 2h 5m |
| US 24 | 73.9 mi | 1h 33m |
| Pagosa Street | 57.8 mi | 1h 20m |
| Highway 160 | 52.7 mi | 1h 8m |
| Gunbarrel Road | 23.1 mi | 33m |
| Oak Street | 13.1 mi | 19m |
| I 70 | 8.5 mi | 9m |
| CO 470 | 5.3 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
US 285
— 89.4 mi, about 2h 5m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Durango, CO and Westminster, CO.
1
Start on Main Avenue
99 ft
·
12 sec
·
Main Avenue
2
Turn left onto West 11th Street
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
West 11th Street
3
Turn left onto US 550
4.6 mi
·
7 min
·
Camino del Rio
Use the straight lane.
4
Continue on US 160; US 550
53 mi
·
1 hr 8 min
·
Highway 160
Use the straight lane.
5
Continue on US 160
2.6 mi
·
5 min
·
San Juan Street
Use the straight lane.
6
Continue on US 160
58 mi
·
1 hr 20 min
·
Pagosa Street
7
Continue on US 160
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Grand Avenue
8
Turn left onto CO 112
13 mi
·
19 min
·
Oak Street
Use the left lane.
9
Turn left onto US 285
23 mi
·
33 min
·
Gunbarrel Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Continue on US 285
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
8th Street
11
Turn straight onto US 285
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
US 285
12
Turn straight onto US 285
40 mi
·
50 min
·
US 285
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on US 285
11 mi
·
18 min
·
US 285
14
Continue on US 285
9.7 mi
·
15 min
·
US 285
Use the straight lane.
15
Take the exit onto US 285
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
US 285
Toward US 285 North
16
Merge onto US 24; US 285
74 mi
·
1 hr 33 min
·
US 24; US 285
17
Continue on US 285
28 mi
·
39 min
·
US 285
Use the straight / slight left / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
53 sec
Toward CO 470 West: West CO 470 to I-70
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Merge onto CO 470
5.3 mi
·
6 min
·
CO 470
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
Exit 1
Toward I 70: Grand Junction, Denver
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight right at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 70 East: Denver
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Merge onto I 70
8.5 mi
·
9 min
·
I 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork onto I 76
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Heartland Expressway
Exit 269B
Toward I 76 East: Fort Morgan
Use the left lane.
24
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 1B
Toward CO 95: Sheridan Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Turn left onto CO 95
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Sheridan Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
26
Turn right onto West 76th Avenue
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
West 76th Avenue
27
Turn left onto Newton Street
0.1 mi
·
33 sec
·
Newton Street
28
Arrive at destination
Newton Street
Trip Plan
Since this 338.6-mile drive can be completed in under 8 hours, it's best tackled in a single day. Aim for an early morning departure from Durango to maximize daylight and allow for potential delays. With two recommended stops, you can break up the 7-hour drive effectively; consider planning your first stop around the halfway point or before the longest 89.4-mile stretch on US 285. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longer highway segments, as services can be spaced out. You'll spend about $51 on fuel for this trip.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 169.3 miles from Durango, CO, or about 3h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 89.4 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 74 miles or 1h 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 169.3 miles or 3h 55m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Westminster, CO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Durango, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Durango, CO
This is one driving day of about 338.6 miles and 7h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 74 miles from Durango, CO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 285 for about 89.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
169 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 74 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 169.3 miles from Durango, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 285 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 89.4 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 175 decision points cluster between mile 118.4 and 334.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
118.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 43m in
|
CO 112 / Oak Street
Turn left onto CO 112 / Oak Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
323.9 mi into trip
|
~7h 22m in
Take the exit toward I 70: Grand Junction, Denver
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 1
Toward I 70: Grand Junction, Denver
7
324 mi into trip
|
~7h 23m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 70 East: Denver
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 70 East: Denver
8
333.3 mi into trip
|
~7h 34m in
|
I 76 / Heartland Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 76 / Heartland Expressway toward I 76 East: Fort Morgan
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Exit 269B
Toward I 76 East: Fort Morgan
7
334.6 mi into trip
|
~7h 36m in
Take the exit toward CO 95: Sheridan Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 1B
Toward CO 95: Sheridan Boulevard
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$51.02 one way
$102.03 round trip
$3.83/gal
25.4 MPG avg
119 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.05 | $54.02 | $108.03 |
| premium | $4.39 | $58.58 | $117.15 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $74.76 | $149.52 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$51
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$76–$101
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 118.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 101.6 | 1 | $35.55 | $16.25 |
| Efficient EV | 84.7 | 0 | $29.63 | $13.54 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 135.4 | 1 | $47.40 | $21.67 |
Gas CO2
118 kg
EV CO2
40 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Westminster, CO
Late night in Westminster on Tuesday
Local time
3:15 AM
MDT
Current temp
36°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
23 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
7h 43m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly highway, with 68% of the 338.6 miles on main roads. You'll experience a longest stretch of 89.4 miles on US 285, which means extended periods of steady cruising. Expect a shift from highway driving to surface streets as you approach your destination. With a total duration of 7 hours 43 minutes, plan for sections of rural driving interspersed with more developed areas.
68% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 89.4 mi on US 285.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 285 and US 24. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 118.4 miles in near CO 112 / Oak Street.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 338.6 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 118.4 miles (CO 112 / Oak Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 323.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 324 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Starting in Durango, CO
Full guide →Durango is a town in the southwestern part of the Rocky Mountains state of Colorado.
Arriving in Westminster, CO
Full guide →Founded 1859
Westminster is a city of about 115,000 in the Denver Metropolitan Area of the western U.S. state of Colorado. The city lies northwest of Denver in Adams and Jefferson counties.
Top landmarks
- • Bowles House — listed on the NRHP in Colorado
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 43m. Total distance: 338.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 43m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 89.4 miles on US 285. 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.
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 Westminster, 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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 118.4 miles (CO 112 / Oak Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 323.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 324 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.7 hours each way, a round trip means 15.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Westminster, CO before the return drive.
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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