Origin
Florence, CO
Late night in Florence on Tuesday
Local time
3:08 AM
MDT
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Florence, CO to Aurora, 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 11m
Distance
108.2 mi
174 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 3m
★
6 AM
2h 12m
8 AM
2h 30m
10 AM
2h 18m
12 PM
2h 17m
3 PM
2h 19m
5 PM
2h 30m
8 PM
2h 6m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Florence, CO
Efrem Efre
Aurora, CO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 108.2-mile journey from Florence, Colorado to Aurora, Colorado is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 11 minutes to complete. The route utilizes a mix of major roads, including Ronald Reagan Highway and I-225, with 46% of the drive on highways. With an estimated fuel cost of $16, this drive offers a straightforward way to travel within the Mountain West region. There are no designated stops in the data, suggesting a direct journey where you can add personal breaks as needed. This route is ideal for those seeking an efficient drive between these two Colorado locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
54.1 miles from Florence, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 12m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Ronald Reagan Highway | 51.8 mi | 54m |
| CO 115 | 33.2 mi | 45m |
| I 225 | 8.5 mi | 9m |
| Monument Valley Freeway | 7.7 mi | 8m |
| West Main Street | 5.3 mi | 9m |
| East 6th Avenue | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| North Vaughn Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| North Zion Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Ronald Reagan Highway
— 51.8 mi, about 54m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Florence, CO and Aurora, 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
52 mi
·
54 min
·
Ronald Reagan Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
Exit 200
Toward I 225 North: Aurora, Limon
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 225
0.1 mi
·
7 sec
·
I 225
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 225
8.4 mi
·
9 min
·
I 225
Toward I 225 North: Limon
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
Exit 9
Toward CO 30: 6th Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
141 ft
·
5 sec
Toward CO 30: Colorado National Guard, Lowry Campus, 6th Avenue
14
Turn left onto CO 30
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
·
East 6th Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
15
Turn right onto Vaughn Street
257 ft
·
12 sec
·
Vaughn Street
16
Turn right onto North Zion Street
509 ft
·
27 sec
·
North Zion Street
17
Turn left onto North Vaughn Street
0.2 mi
·
43 sec
·
North Vaughn Street
18
Arrive at destination
North Vaughn Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short 2-hour and 11-minute duration for this 108.2-mile drive, you have considerable flexibility in when you depart. Consider leaving in the morning to maximize your daylight hours and avoid potential afternoon traffic as you near Aurora. With an estimated fuel cost of $16, it's wise to start with a full tank from Florence. Since the data indicates no specific stops, plan your own breaks for fuel or refreshments, perhaps around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 51.8-mile stretch on Ronald Reagan Highway, to ensure a smooth arrival.
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 54.1 miles from Florence, CO, or about 1h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 51.8 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 24 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 54.1 miles or 1h 12m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Aurora, 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 108.2 miles and 2h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 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 51.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
54 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 24 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 54.1 miles from Florence, 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 38.5 and 107.1 — 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
8
98.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 58m in
Take the exit toward I 225 North: Aurora, Limon
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 200
Toward I 225 North: Aurora, Limon
7
98.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 59m in
|
I 225
Keep slight left at fork onto I 225 toward I 225 North: Limon
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 225 North: Limon
7
107.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 9m in
Take the exit toward CO 30: 6th Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 9
Toward CO 30: 6th Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.30 one way
$32.60 round trip
$3.83/gal
25.4 MPG avg
38 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.05 | $17.26 | $34.52 |
| premium | $4.39 | $18.72 | $37.44 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $23.89 | $47.78 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 37.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 32.5 | 0 | $11.36 | $5.19 |
| Efficient EV | 27.1 | 0 | $9.47 | $4.33 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 43.3 | 0 | $15.15 | $6.92 |
Gas CO2
38 kg
EV CO2
13 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.
Destination
Aurora, CO
Late night in Aurora on Tuesday
Local time
3:08 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
2 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 11m 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 44.8
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed drive experience on this route, blending highway speeds with potentially more local road sections. While 46% of the drive is on highways, you'll also encounter stretches on Ronald Reagan Highway and CO 115. The longest uninterrupted stretch spans 51.8 miles on Ronald Reagan Highway, offering a consistent pace for a significant portion of your travel. This variety means you'll experience different driving conditions, transitioning from faster, more open roads to potentially more varied terrain as you approach your destination.
46% 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: 51.8 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 108.2 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 98.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Aurora, CO, road signs begin pointing toward Limon along the way.
Limon
98.4 mi in
|
~1h 58m
About the Cities
Arriving in Aurora, CO
Full guide →Founded 1891
Aurora is a city of about 400,000 of the Denver Metropolitan Area in the western U.S. state of Colorado. The city lies immediately east of Denver in Arapahoe, Adams, and Douglas counties. In 2008 it was named the "All American City."
Top landmarks
- • DeLaney Barn
- • Blanche A. Wilson House — house
- • Plains Conservation Center — park in Colorado, United States of America
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 11m. Total distance: 108.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (46%). 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 51.8 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 Aurora, 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 98.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Aurora, 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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