Origin
Fowler, CO
Late night in Fowler on Sunday
Local time
1:54 AM
MDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fowler, CO to Arvada, CO
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 6m
Distance
156 mi
251 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 55m
★
6 AM
3h 7m
8 AM
3h 30m
10 AM
3h 15m
12 PM
3h 13m
3 PM
3h 16m
5 PM
3h 29m
8 PM
3h 0m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Arvada, CO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Fowler to Arvada is 156 miles and takes about 3h 6m via Ronald Reagan Highway, with a fuel budget near $24 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Colorado, transitioning from the Mountain West region to another part of the Mountain West. Expect a route with frequent turns, characteristic of a more local, less highway-dominated journey. Given its 1-day recommendation and manageable duration, this trip is well-suited for a single-day excursion, allowing for a relaxed pace.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
78 miles from Fowler, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 36m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Ronald Reagan Highway | 87.8 mi | 1h 34m |
| CO 96 | 20.7 mi | 27m |
| John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway | 12.9 mi | 12m |
| Monument Valley Freeway | 8.5 mi | 9m |
| US 50 | 7.6 mi | 12m |
| César Chávez Memorial Highway | 3.8 mi | 5m |
| William White Boulevard | 2.8 mi | 4m |
| I 70 | 2.7 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
Ronald Reagan Highway
— 87.8 mi, about 1h 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fowler, CO and Arvada, CO.
1
Start on this road
188 ft
·
19 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto Pitkin Avenue
202 ft
·
12 sec
·
Pitkin Avenue
3
Turn right onto CO 167
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
South Main Street
4
Turn left onto CO 96
21 mi
·
27 min
·
CO 96
5
Continue on US 50; CO 96
7.6 mi
·
12 min
·
US 50; CO 96
Use the straight lane.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Use the slight right lane.
7
Turn right onto Paul Harvey Boulevard
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
·
Paul Harvey Boulevard
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
8
At end of road, turn left onto William White Boulevard
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
William White Boulevard
9
Turn right onto CO 47
3.8 mi
·
5 min
·
César Chávez Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Toward I 25 North: Denver
11
Merge onto I 25
1.8 mi
·
1 min
·
North Freeway
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on I 25
13 mi
·
12 min
·
John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 25
23 mi
·
23 min
·
Ronald Reagan Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 25; US 24
8.5 mi
·
9 min
·
Monument Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 25
65 mi
·
1 hr 10 min
·
Ronald Reagan Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
Exit 214A
Toward I 70: Limon, Grand Junction
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on Grand Army of the Republic Highway
0.6 mi
·
42 sec
·
Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Toward I 70
18
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 70 West: Grand Junction
19
Merge onto I 70
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
I 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Exit 271A
Toward CO 95: Sheridan Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Turn right onto CO 95
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Sheridan Boulevard
Use the right lane.
22
Turn left onto Ralston Road
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Ralston Road
Use the left lane.
23
Turn right onto Ammons Street
227 ft
·
13 sec
·
Ammons Street
24
Turn left
41 ft
·
3 sec
25
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
With a total drive time of just over 3 hours, this is a perfect route for a single-day trip, offering flexibility in your departure time. You'll want to factor in the recommended 1 stop for a break, but you won't need to rush. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the longer 87.8-mile stretch on Ronald Reagan Highway, as services might be less frequent. The $24 fuel cost provides a good estimate, but it's always wise to top off before leaving Fowler to ensure a smooth journey.
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 78 miles from Fowler, CO, or about 1h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 87.8 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 34 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 78 miles or 1h 36m 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 31m
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 Fowler, 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 Fowler, CO
This is one driving day of about 156 miles and 3h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Fowler, 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 Ronald Reagan Highway for about 87.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
78 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 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 78 miles from Fowler, 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 87.8 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 185 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 152.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Pitkin Avenue
Turn left onto Pitkin Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
30.2 mi into trip
|
~43m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
6
30.3 mi into trip
|
~43m in
|
Paul Harvey Boulevard
Turn right onto Paul Harvey Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
8
148.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 54m 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
152.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 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
$23.50 one way
$47.01 round trip
$3.83/gal
25.4 MPG avg
55 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.05 | $24.89 | $49.77 |
| premium | $4.39 | $26.99 | $53.97 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $34.44 | $68.89 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 54.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 46.8 | 0 | $16.38 | $7.49 |
| Efficient EV | 39 | 0 | $13.65 | $6.24 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 62.4 | 0 | $21.84 | $9.98 |
Gas CO2
55 kg
EV CO2
18 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
Late night in Arvada on Sunday
Local time
1:54 AM
MDT
Current temp
46°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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 6m 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?
This route leans towards a 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, with only 27% of the journey on major highways. You'll experience a mix of speeds, starting with stretches on the Ronald Reagan Highway, including the longest uninterrupted segment of 87.8 miles. As you progress, expect to navigate through local roads and state highways like CO 96 and the John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway, which will involve more frequent adjustments to your steering and speed. The character of the drive shifts from more open highway to a more engaged, local road experience.
Only 27% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 87.8 mi on Ronald Reagan Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Pitkin Avenue.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 156 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: near the start (Pitkin Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 30.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 30.3 miles (Paul Harvey Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Arriving in Arvada, CO
Full guide →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.
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 3h 6m. Total distance: 156 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 87.8 miles on Ronald Reagan Highway. 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 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. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Pitkin Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 30.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 30.3 miles (Paul Harvey Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Arvada, CO, but most travelers stay overnight.
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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