Origin
Eaton, CO
Morning in Eaton on Tuesday
Local time
6:00 AM
MDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Eaton, CO to Denver, 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
1h 29m
Distance
69.4 mi
112 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
EV Charging
Fair
4 stations
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 22m
★
6 AM
1h 29m
8 AM
1h 43m
10 AM
1h 34m
12 PM
1h 32m
3 PM
1h 34m
5 PM
1h 42m
8 PM
1h 25m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Eaton, CO
Mauricio Ortiz
Denver, CO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This straightforward 69.4-mile drive from Eaton to Denver, Colorado, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 29 minutes. You'll navigate a mix of major highways and county roads, with about 50% of the journey on interstates. The estimated fuel cost is around $10, making it an economical option for a quick journey. This route is ideal for those looking for a practical and efficient way to travel between two points within the Mountain West region. Given its short duration, it doesn't require an overnight stop, offering flexibility for your schedule.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 76 | 28.3 mi | 29m |
| County Road 49 | 21.9 mi | 25m |
| County Road 47 | 4.8 mi | 5m |
| Highway 392 | 4 mi | 7m |
| Highway 85 | 2.5 mi | 4m |
| North Valley Highway | 2.3 mi | 3m |
| Oak Avenue | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| North Broadway | 1 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
I 76
— 28.3 mi, about 29m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Eaton, CO and Denver, CO.
1
Start on US 85
495 ft
·
15 sec
·
Oak Avenue
2
Continue on US 85
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Oak Avenue
Use the straight lane.
3
Continue on US 85
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Highway 85
4
Turn left onto CO 392
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
Main Street
Use the left lane.
5
Continue on CO 392
4.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Highway 392
6
Turn right onto CR 47
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
County Road 47
7
Continue on CR 49
22 mi
·
25 min
·
County Road 49
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward I 76 West
9
Merge onto I 76
28 mi
·
29 min
·
I 76
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
Exit 5
Toward I 25 South: Denver
Use the slight right lane.
11
Continue on this road
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
this road
Toward I 25 south: Denver
12
Merge onto I 25; US 87
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
North Valley Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 213
Toward 38th Avenue, Park Avenue, Downtown
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
Toward Park Avenue, Downtown
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on Park Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Park Avenue
16
Turn straight onto Park Avenue West
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Park Avenue West
17
Continue on West 22nd Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
West 22nd Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Turn right onto North Broadway
1.0 mi
·
3 min
·
North Broadway
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Turn left onto East 14th Avenue
0.1 mi
·
29 sec
·
East 14th Avenue
Use the left lane.
20
Turn left
358 ft
·
27 sec
Use the straight / left lanes.
21
Arrive at destination
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
35 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 15 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 34.7 miles from Eaton, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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 125 decision points cluster between mile 3.7 and 69.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
3.7 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
CO 392 / Main Street
Turn left onto CO 392 / Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
63 mi into trip
|
~1h 15m in
Take the exit toward I 25 South: Denver
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 5
Toward I 25 South: Denver
8
66.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 20m in
Take the exit toward 38th Avenue, Park Avenue, Downtown
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 213
Toward 38th Avenue, Park Avenue, Downtown
9
66.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 20m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Park Avenue, Downtown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward Park Avenue, Downtown
7
69.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 28m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.46 one way
$20.91 round trip
$3.83/gal
25.4 MPG avg
24 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.05 | $11.07 | $22.14 |
| premium | $4.39 | $12.01 | $24.01 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $15.32 | $30.65 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$10
Estimated CO2 emission: 24.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 20.8 | 0 | $7.29 | $3.33 |
| Efficient EV | 17.4 | 0 | $6.07 | $2.78 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 27.8 | 0 | $9.72 | $4.44 |
Gas CO2
24 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Denver, CO
Morning in Denver on Tuesday
Local time
6:00 AM
MDT
Current temp
35°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
33°F
Brighton, CO
35 mi in
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
22 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
1h 29m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
The drive between Eaton and Denver presents a mixed driving profile, blending interstate cruising with local road navigation. Approximately half of the 69.4 miles will be spent on faster-paced highways, including a significant 28.3-mile stretch on I-76. You'll also experience driving on County Road 49 and County Road 47, which will offer a different pace and feel. This variation means you won't be stuck in a monotonous highway grind, but rather experience a dynamic drive that shifts between efficiency and more localized travel.
50% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 28.3 mi on I 76.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.7 miles in near CO 392 / Main Street.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 69.4 miles you will encounter 12 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 3.7 miles (CO 392 / Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 63 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 66.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
About the Cities
Arriving in Denver, CO
Full guide →“Mile High City” · Founded 1858
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
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 1h 29m. Total distance: 69.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (50%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 28.3 miles on I 76. 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.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.7 miles (CO 392 / Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 63 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 66.4 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.
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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