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Trip from Gypsum, CO to Denver, CO

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 39m

Distance

133.4 mi

215 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$20

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 32 min
4 AM
2h 29m ★
6 AM
2h 40m
8 AM
3h 1m
10 AM
2h 47m
12 PM
2h 45m
3 PM
2h 48m
5 PM
3h 0m
8 PM
2h 33m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Gypsum, CO, CO

Gypsum, CO

Aukid phumsirichat

consolidated city-county and capital of Colorado, United States

Denver, CO

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 133.4-mile drive from Gypsum, CO to Denver, CO is manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 39 minutes. You'll primarily follow Gerald R. Ford Memorial Highway, West 6th Avenue Freeway, and North Lincoln Street, with about 8% of the journey on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $20. Given its relatively short duration and single stop, it's a straightforward journey through the Mountain West region of Colorado. This route is best suited for those looking for a practical, no-fuss transit rather than an extensive scenic exploration.

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

66.7 miles from Gypsum, CO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 17m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Gerald R. Ford Memorial Highway 121.2 mi 2h 20m
West 6th Avenue Freeway 10.1 mi 14m
North Lincoln Street 0.9 mi 2m
Grand Avenue 0.3 mi <1m
East 14th Avenue <0.1 mi <1m
Trail Gulch Road <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Gerald R. Ford Memorial Highway — 121.2 mi, about 2h 20m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Gypsum, CO and Denver, CO.

1

Start on US 6

0.3 mi · 29 sec · Grand Avenue
2

Enter roundabout onto CR 51

129 ft · 2 sec · Trail Gulch Road
3

Continue on CR 51

164 ft · 4 sec · Trail Gulch Road
4

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 44 sec
5

Merge onto I 70

121 mi · 2 hr 20 min · Gerald R. Ford Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
6

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 43 sec
Exit 261 Toward US 6 East: 6th Avenue, Lakewood Use the slight right lane.
7

Merge onto US 6

10 mi · 14 min · West 6th Avenue Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Turn left onto North Lincoln Street

0.9 mi · 2 min · North Lincoln Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
9

Turn right onto East 14th Avenue

353 ft · 17 sec · East 14th Avenue
Use the right lane.
10

Turn left

358 ft · 27 sec
Use the straight / left lanes.
11

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

For this 2-hour and 39-minute drive, consider an early morning departure to minimize traffic, especially as you get closer to Denver. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost of approximately $20, you have a lot of flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without a major road change is 121.2 miles. Since this is a single-day trip, you can easily adjust your schedule. A practical tip: be prepared for the transition from more open roads to urban traffic as you enter the Denver metropolitan area, which is the most significant change in the driving environment on this route.

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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 66.7 miles from Gypsum, CO, or about 1h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 121.2 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 29 miles or 34m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 66.7 miles or 1h 17m 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 7m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Denver, CO than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Gypsum, 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 Gypsum, CO

This is one driving day of about 133.4 miles and 2h 39m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from Gypsum, 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 Gerald R. Ford Memorial Highway for about 121.2 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Georgetown, CO, CO

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Georgetown, CO

67 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.

Popular next leg

Georgetown, CO to Denver, CO

45.2 mi · 1h

Pacing Suggestions

Vail, CO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 29 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Georgetown, CO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 66.7 miles from Gypsum, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Gerald R. Ford Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 121.2 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.

Best meal stop · home stretch

Corridor 44 Champagne Bar and Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Denver, Colorado

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch · 0min to go 1 mi from route ~3 min detour $50 to $60

Hours: 3 pm–2 am

+13038930044

Visit website

Phở Hậu Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Lakewood, Colorado

1.3 mi

Nola Voodoo Tavern

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Denver, Colorado

2.2 mi

Best coffee break · early in the drive

Hygge Life Shop & Café

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Avon, Colorado

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch · 34min in 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+19703315745

Visit website

Corridor 44 Champagne Bar and Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1 mi from route ~3 min detour $50 to $60

Denver, Colorado

Hours: 3 pm–2 am

+13038930044

Visit website

Phở Hậu Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Lakewood, Colorado

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+13039880755

Nola Voodoo Tavern

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour Moderately

Denver, Colorado

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+17203899544

Visit website

Tikka & Grill, Nepali and Indian Food

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour Moderately

Denver, Colorado

Hours: 11 am–9:15 pm

+17204767144

Visit website

Hygge Life Shop & Café

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

Avon, Colorado

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+19703315745

Visit website

Civic Center Park

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour

Denver, Colorado

Hours: 5 am–11 pm

+17209131311

Visit website

Big Blue Bear

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

Denver, Colorado

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Epic Escape Game

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 1 mi from route ~2 min detour

Denver, Colorado

+13033776060

Visit website

House Of Immersions

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Denver, Colorado

Hours: 2–9:30 pm

+13037441008

Visit website

United States Mint Tour Entrance and Gift Shop

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

Denver, Colorado

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

+13035729500

Larimer Square

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 1 mi from route ~2 min detour

Denver, Colorado

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+17208051973

Visit website

Skyline Beer Garden

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Denver, Colorado

+13035346161

Visit website

Daniels & Fisher

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour

Denver, Colorado

Hours: Open 24 hours

+13038770742

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 8

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.7 and 133.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0.7 mi into trip | ~1m in | I 70 / Gerald R. Ford Memorial Highway

Merge onto I 70 / Gerald R. Ford Memorial Highway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
8
122 mi into trip | ~2h 21m in

Take the exit toward US 6 East: 6th Avenue, Lakewood

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 261 Toward US 6 East: 6th Avenue, Lakewood
5
122.3 mi into trip | ~2h 22m in | US 6 / West 6th Avenue Freeway

Merge onto US 6 / West 6th Avenue Freeway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
133.3 mi into trip | ~2h 38m in | East 14th Avenue

Turn right onto East 14th Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
7
133.4 mi into trip | ~2h 39m in

Turn left

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / left lanes.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$20.10 one way

$40.20 round trip

$3.83/gal 25.4 MPG avg 47 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.05 $21.28 $42.56
premium $4.39 $23.08 $46.15
diesel $5.61 $29.45 $58.91

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$20

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$45–$70

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 46.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 40 0 $14.01 $6.40
Efficient EV 33.4 0 $11.67 $5.34
EV Truck/SUV 53.4 0 $18.68 $8.54

Gas CO2

47 kg

EV CO2

16 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.

Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026

Origin

Gypsum, CO

Late night in Gypsum on Tuesday

Local time

4:56 AM

MDT

Current temp

29°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Denver, CO

Late night in Denver on Tuesday

Local time

4:56 AM

MDT

Current temp

35°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

25°F

Georgetown, CO

67 mi in

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

6 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

2h 39m 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?

Expect a turn-heavy local drive on this route, rather than an open highway cruise. While there's a significant 121.2-mile stretch on Gerald R. Ford Memorial Highway, the overall profile suggests a more engaged driving experience with frequent changes in road type. The 8% highway share indicates that a good portion of your journey will involve navigating local streets and potentially more traffic, especially as you approach Denver. This isn't a monotonous interstate grind; it's a drive that will keep you attentive as the road conditions and speed limits shift.

Only 8% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
11 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 121.2 mi on Gerald R. Ford Memorial Highway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

5/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in near I 70 / Gerald R. Ford Memorial Highway.

Driving Effort 5/10

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 133.4 miles you will encounter 8 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 0.7 miles (I 70 / Gerald R. Ford Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 122 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 122.3 miles (US 6 / West 6th Avenue 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.

On the drive from Gypsum, CO to Denver, CO, road signs begin pointing toward Lakewood along the way.

Lakewood

122 mi in | ~2h 21m

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 2h 39m. Total distance: 133.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (8%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 121.2 miles on Gerald R. Ford Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles (I 70 / Gerald R. Ford Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 122 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 122.3 miles (US 6 / West 6th Avenue Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

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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