Grizzly Creek
0 mi from route
Trip from Grand Junction, CO to The Pinery, CO
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 12m
Distance
270.1 mi
435 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$46
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 59m
★
6 AM
5h 13m
8 AM
5h 40m
10 AM
5h 22m
12 PM
5h 20m
3 PM
5h 24m
5 PM
5h 39m
8 PM
5h 5m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Grand Junction, CO
Wikimedia Commons
The Pinery, CO
Alexander Hamilton
Trip Overview
Grand Junction, CO to The Pinery, CO is 270.1 miles and takes about 5h 12m via I 70 East, CO 470 East, and Broadway, with a fuel budget near $45 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Colorado, traversing the Mountain West region. Expect a drive that is mostly on surface roads, offering a more local feel than a pure interstate cruise. With only one recommended stop and a duration under six hours, this route is well-suited for a single-day excursion, allowing for flexibility in your departure time and pace.
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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
135.1 miles from Grand Junction, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 35m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 70 BUS | 228.8 mi | 4h 19m |
| CO 470 | 21.1 mi | 24m |
| South Parker Road | 6.4 mi | 9m |
| E-470 | 5 mi | 5m |
| CO 470 EXPR | 4.2 mi | 4m |
| Lakeview Drive | 1.3 mi | 3m |
| Pitkin Avenue | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| North Pinery Parkway | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 70 BUS
— 228.8 mi, about 4h 19m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 32 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,409 veh/hr typical · worst 2,083
Quietest
2 AM
~77 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
18.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 105 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Grand Junction, CO and The Pinery, CO.
1
Start on I 70 BUS
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Pitkin Avenue
2
Continue on I 70 BUS
4.3 mi
·
7 min
·
I 70 BUS
3
Continue on I 70 BUS; US 6
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
I 70 BUS; US 6
4
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70 BUS
224 mi
·
4 hr 11 min
·
I 70 BUS
Toward I 70 East: Denver
Use the slight right lane.
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 260
Toward CO 470 East: Colorado Springs, Golden, Boulder, 6th Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward CO 470 East: Colorado Springs
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Merge onto CO 470
14 mi
·
15 min
·
CO 470
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto CO 470 EXPR
4.2 mi
·
4 min
·
CO 470 EXPR
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
9
Take the exit
128 ft
·
1 sec
Toward Broadway, University Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto CO 470
7.5 mi
·
8 min
·
CO 470
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on this road
0.3 mi
·
21 sec
·
this road
Exit 26
Toward E470
12
Continue on E470
5.0 mi
·
5 min
·
E-470
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
Exit 5
Toward CO 83
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Turn slight right
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Toward CO 83 South: Parker Road
15
Merge onto CO 83
6.4 mi
·
9 min
·
South Parker Road
16
Turn left onto North Pinery Parkway
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
North Pinery Parkway
Use the left lane.
17
Turn right onto Lakeview Drive
1.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Lakeview Drive
18
Turn left onto Mountain View Drive
412 ft
·
23 sec
·
Mountain View Drive
19
Turn left
61 ft
·
4 sec
20
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 12m estimated drive time, leaving Grand Junction in the morning should allow you to reach The Pinery with plenty of daylight. Plan for one stop along the way to break up the 270.1 miles; this could be for fuel, a quick meal, or a stretch. Since this is a surface-road heavy route, be prepared for varying speed limits and potential traffic, especially as you get closer to your destination. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $45, and it's always wise to top off before heading into less populated areas.
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 135.1 miles from Grand Junction, CO, or about 2h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 228.8 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 59 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 135.1 miles or 2h 35m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near The Pinery, CO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Grand Junction, 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 Grand Junction, CO
This is one driving day of about 270.1 miles and 5h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Grand Junction, 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 I 70 BUS for about 228.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
135 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 59 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 135.1 miles from Grand Junction, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 70 BUS if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 228.8 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
CDOT Rest Area: Bair Ranch
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
CDOT Rest Area: No Name
0.1 mi from route
CDOT Rest Area: Edwards
0.1 mi from route
CDOT Rest Area: Vail Pass
0.1 mi from route
Golden Gate Gas
0.1 mi from route
CDOT Rest Area: Hanging Lake
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
CDOT Rest Area: Rifle
0.3 mi from route
Edwards Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 6.4 and 261.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
6.4 mi into trip
|
~10m in
|
I 70 BUS
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70 BUS toward I 70 East: Denver
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 70 East: Denver
8
230.1 mi into trip
|
~4h 21m in
Take the exit toward CO 470 East: Colorado Springs, Golden, Boulder, 6th Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 260
Toward CO 470 East: Colorado Springs, Golden, B...
7
230.4 mi into trip
|
~4h 22m in
Keep slight right at fork toward CO 470 East: Colorado Springs
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward CO 470 East: Colorado Springs
7
248.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 44m in
Take the exit toward Broadway, University Boulevard
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.
Toward Broadway, University Boulevard
7
261.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 58m in
Take the exit toward CO 83
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 5
Toward CO 83
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$46.01 one way
$92.03 round trip
$4.33/gal
25.4 MPG avg
95 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.58 | $48.66 | $97.32 |
| premium | $4.90 | $52.15 | $104.30 |
| diesel | $6.18 | $65.71 | $131.41 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.60
E-470
(5 mi)
$0.60
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$46
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 94.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 81 | 1 | $28.36 | $12.96 |
| Efficient EV | 67.5 | 0 | $23.63 | $10.80 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 108 | 1 | $37.81 | $17.29 |
Gas CO2
95 kg
EV CO2
32 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.
Origin
Grand Junction, CO
Afternoon in Grand Junction on Saturday
Local time
12:15 PM
MDT
Current temp
43°F
Clear
0 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 5:02AM MDT until October 17 at 9:00AM MDT by NWS Pueblo CO
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 9:15PM MDT until October 17 at 9:00AM MDT by NWS Grand Junction CO
Destination
The Pinery, CO
Afternoon in The Pinery on Saturday
Local time
12:15 PM
MDT
Current temp
35°F
Clear
S 8 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 5:02AM MDT until October 17 at 9:00AM MDT by NWS Pueblo CO
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 9:15PM MDT until October 17 at 9:00AM MDT by NWS Grand Junction CO
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
8 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
5h 12m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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.
Colorado National Monument
National Monument
Colorado National Monument preserves one of the grand landscapes of the American West. But this treasure is much more than a monument. Towering monoliths exist within a vast plateau and canyon panoram...
8 mi from route
~19 min detour
$25
Caution: Year-round Fire Restrictions in Effect
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is almost entirely on surface roads, with 0% highway travel. You'll transition from I 70 East to CO 470 East and then to Broadway, meaning you'll encounter frequent intersections and traffic signals. Expect to navigate urban and suburban environments for a significant portion of the 270.1 miles. The longest stretch without a planned stop isn't specified, but the total duration suggests consistent, moderate speeds.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 228.8 mi on I 70 BUS.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 70 BUS and CO 470. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.4 miles in near I 70 BUS.
Driving Effort
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 270.1 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 6.4 miles (I 70 BUS): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 230.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 230.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mountain driving with significant elevation changes
9,698 ft
4,589 ft
Total Climb
5,722 ft
Total Descent
4,064 ft
Highest Point
9,698 ft
~192.9 mi in
Elevation Range
5,109 ft
Notable High Points
9,160 ft at ~154.4 miles
+61 ft prominence
9,698 ft at ~192.9 miles
+600 ft prominence
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.
Between Grand Junction, CO and The Pinery, CO, road signs point toward Golden, Boulder, Broadway and E470.
Golden
230.1 mi in
|
~4h 21m
Boulder
230.1 mi in
|
~4h 21m
Broadway
248.8 mi in
|
~4h 44m
E470
256.3 mi in
|
~4h 52m
About the Cities
Starting in Grand Junction, CO
Full guide →Founded 1882
Graced by red rock mesas, Grand Junction is a vital part of Colorado's Wine Country. The city lies on the Colorado River at the foot of Grand Mesa, Mount Garfield, and Colorado National Monument. With a population of about 69,000, Grand Junction is the most populous city in the western half of the U.S. state of Colorado and the seat of Mesa County.
Top landmarks
- • Cross Orchards Historic Site — place in Colorado listed on National Register of Historic Places
- • Handy Chapel — chapel in Grand Junction, Colorado, United States
Arriving in The Pinery, CO
Full guide →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 5h 12m. Total distance: 270.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 228.8 miles on I 70 BUS. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.60 in tolls one way, starting with E-470. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
Yes — we found about 11 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 The Pinery, 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. There are 11 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 6.4 miles (I 70 BUS): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 230.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 230.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Colorado National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at The Pinery, 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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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