Origin
Florence, CO
Morning in Florence on Tuesday
Local time
6:21 AM
MDT
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Florence, CO to Arvada, 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
2h 28m
Distance
118.9 mi
191 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 18m
★
6 AM
2h 28m
8 AM
2h 48m
10 AM
2h 35m
12 PM
2h 33m
3 PM
2h 36m
5 PM
2h 47m
8 PM
2h 22m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Florence, CO
Efrem Efre
Arvada, CO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Florence, CO to Arvada, CO is 118.9 miles and takes about 2h 28m via Ronald Reagan Highway, with a fuel budget near $18 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This journey stays within the Mountain West region, offering a relatively straightforward trip between two Colorado locations. Expect a mixed drive that balances highway speeds with some local road navigation. Given its manageable distance and duration, this route is ideal for a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
59.4 miles from Florence, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 18m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Ronald Reagan Highway | 64.8 mi | 1h 10m |
| CO 115 | 33.2 mi | 45m |
| Monument Valley Freeway | 7.7 mi | 8m |
| West Main Street | 5.3 mi | 9m |
| I 70 | 2.7 mi | 3m |
| Ralston Road | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| Sheridan Boulevard | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Grand Army of the Republic Highway | 0.6 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Ronald Reagan Highway
— 64.8 mi, about 1h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Florence, CO and Arvada, CO.
1
Start on CO 115
5.3 mi
·
9 min
·
West Main Street
2
Enter roundabout onto CO 115
121 ft
·
2 sec
·
CO 115
3
Continue on CO 115
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
CO 115
4
Continue on CO 115
32 mi
·
43 min
·
CO 115
Use the straight lane.
5
Turn left
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
Toward I 25 North, US 24 West: Denver
Use the left lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward I 25 North, US 24 West: Denver
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 25; US 24
7.7 mi
·
8 min
·
Monument Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 25
65 mi
·
1 hr 10 min
·
Ronald Reagan Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
Exit 214A
Toward I 70: Limon, Grand Junction
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on Grand Army of the Republic Highway
0.6 mi
·
42 sec
·
Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Toward I 70
11
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 70 West: Grand Junction
12
Merge onto I 70
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
I 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Exit 271A
Toward CO 95: Sheridan Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Turn right onto CO 95
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Sheridan Boulevard
Use the right lane.
15
Turn left onto Ralston Road
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Ralston Road
Use the left lane.
16
Turn right onto Ammons Street
227 ft
·
13 sec
·
Ammons Street
17
Turn left
41 ft
·
3 sec
18
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
With a drive time of under 3 hours, this route is perfectly suited for a same-day trip, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Aim to leave Florence, CO in the morning to maximize daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic as you approach Arvada. The estimated fuel cost is $18, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before departing, as there are no specific stops noted for refueling on this direct path. Keep an eye on the highway share; while much of the drive is on Ronald Reagan Highway, be prepared for transitions on CO 115 and Monument Valley Freeway.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 59.4 miles from Florence, CO, or about 1h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 64.8 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 26 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 59.4 miles or 1h 18m 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
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Arvada, CO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Florence, 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 Florence, CO
This is one driving day of about 118.9 miles and 2h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Florence, CO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Ronald Reagan Highway for about 64.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
59 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 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 59.4 miles from Florence, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Ronald Reagan Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 64.8 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 125 decision points cluster between mile 38.5 and 115.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
38.5 mi into trip
|
~54m in
Turn left toward I 25 North, US 24 West: Denver
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I 25 North, US 24 West: Denver
7
38.6 mi into trip
|
~55m in
Take the ramp toward I 25 North, US 24 West: Denver
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 25 North, US 24 West: Denver
5
38.8 mi into trip
|
~55m in
|
I 25; US 24 / Monument Valley Freeway
Merge onto I 25; US 24 / Monument Valley Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
111.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 15m in
Take the exit toward I 70: Limon, Grand Junction
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 214A
Toward I 70: Limon, Grand Junction
7
115.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 21m 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 271A
Toward CO 95: Sheridan Boulevard
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.91 one way
$35.83 round trip
$3.83/gal
25.4 MPG avg
42 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.05 | $18.97 | $37.94 |
| premium | $4.39 | $20.57 | $41.14 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $26.25 | $52.50 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 41.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 35.7 | 0 | $12.48 | $5.71 |
| Efficient EV | 29.7 | 0 | $10.40 | $4.76 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 47.6 | 0 | $16.65 | $7.61 |
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 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
Arvada, CO
Morning in Arvada on Tuesday
Local time
6:21 AM
MDT
Current temp
35°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
3 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
2h 28m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument
National Monument
Beneath a grassy mountain valley in central Colorado lies one of the richest and most diverse fossil deposits in the world. Petrified redwood stumps up to 14 feet wide and thousands of detailed fossil...
24 mi from route
~61 min detour
$10
near mile 45.1
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This 118.9-mile drive features a 37% highway share, meaning you'll experience a blend of faster travel and more local road conditions. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 64.8 miles on Ronald Reagan Highway, offering a sustained period of highway driving. As you progress from Florence towards Arvada, the road character shifts, moving from potentially more open highway segments to areas that may involve more traffic or lower speed limits closer to your destination. The 'Mixed drive' profile suggests you'll encounter varied driving environments throughout the approximately 2.5-hour journey.
37% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 64.8 mi on Ronald Reagan Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 38.5 miles in.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 118.9 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 38.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 38.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 38.8 miles (I 25; US 24 / Monument Valley Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Florence, CO to Arvada, CO, road signs begin pointing toward Grand Junction along the way.
Grand Junction
111.4 mi in
|
~2h 15m
About the Cities
Arriving in Arvada, CO
Full guide →Founded 1859
Arvada is a city of about 125,000 in the Denver Metropolitan Area of the U.S. state of Colorado. A former farming community in Jefferson and Adams counties, the city is now a residential suburb of Denver. Olde Town Arvada lies 7 miles (11 km) northwest of the Colorado State Capitol and 9 miles (14 km) east of the Front Range foothills.
Top landmarks
- • Arvada Flour Mill — historic mill in Arvada, Colorado, USA
- • Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities — art center in Arvada, 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 2h 28m. Total distance: 118.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (37%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 64.8 miles on Ronald Reagan 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 Arvada, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 38.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 38.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 38.8 miles (I 25; US 24 / Monument Valley Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Arvada, 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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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