Trip from Holyoke, CO to Aurora, 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 21m

Distance

174.2 mi

280 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$26

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min

4 AM

3h 9m ★

6 AM

3h 21m

8 AM

3h 45m

10 AM

3h 30m

12 PM

3h 27m

3 PM

3h 31m

5 PM

3h 44m

8 PM

3h 14m

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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city in and county seat of Phillips County, Colorado, United States

Holyoke, CO

Wikimedia Commons

Aurora, CO

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Traveling from Holyoke to Aurora covers 174.2 miles across the Mountain West, making for a straightforward trek that typically takes about 3 hours and 21 minutes. Because this route is designed as a single-day trip, you can easily complete the journey without needing an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $26 for fuel to cover the distance. Navigating this corridor involves a combination of I-76, US Highway 6, and E-470. Since the drive is focused on efficiency rather than complex detours, it serves as a practical connection between these two Colorado locations. Whether you are heading to the Denver metro area for business or leisure, this path offers a reliable, no-nonsense itinerary for your travel day.

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

87.1 miles from Holyoke, CO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 48m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 76	105.8 mi	1h 45m
US Highway 6	44.6 mi	1h 3m
E-470	6.9 mi	6m
Peña Boulevard	6.6 mi	8m
I 225	2.2 mi	2m
Denver Street	1 mi	1m
1st Street	0.8 mi	1m
East Weston Street	0.6 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: I 76 — 105.8 mi, about 1h 45m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Holyoke, CO and Aurora, CO.

Start on West Emerson Street

42 ft · 7 sec · West Emerson Street

Turn left onto US 385

379 ft · 14 sec · South Interocean Avenue

Turn left onto US 6

1.0 mi · 1 min · Denver Street

Continue on US 6

7.8 mi · 11 min · US Highway 6

Continue on US 6

0.4 mi · 39 sec · Dee Street

Continue on US 6

8.0 mi · 11 min · US Highway 6

Continue on US 6

0.8 mi · 1 min · 1st Street

Continue on US 6

11 mi · 13 min · US Highway 6

Continue on US 6

0.2 mi · 16 sec · Railway Street

Continue on US 6

0.6 mi · 51 sec · East Weston Street

Continue on US 6

18 mi · 27 min · US Highway 6

Turn left

0.3 mi · 36 sec

Toward I 76 West

Merge onto I 76

106 mi · 1 hr 45 min · I 76

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

1.0 mi · 2 min

Exit 18 Toward E470 Toll South: Limon Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto E470

6.9 mi · 6 min · E-470

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 17 sec

Exit 28 Toward Denver International Airport, Pena Boulevard Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

0.7 mi · 1 min

Exit 28B Toward Peña Boulevard West Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto Peña Boulevard

6.6 mi · 8 min · Peña Boulevard

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 70

0.1 mi · 8 sec · Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 35 sec

Exit 282 Toward I 225 South: Aurora, Colorado Springs, Peoria Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

1.3 mi · 2 min

Exit 282 Toward I 225 South: Aurora, Colorado Springs

Continue on I 225

2.2 mi · 2 min · I 225

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 40 sec

Exit 9 Toward CO 30: 6th Avenue Use the slight right lane.

Turn right onto CO 30

0.3 mi · 31 sec · East 6th Avenue

Use the right lane.

Turn right onto Vaughn Street

257 ft · 12 sec · Vaughn Street

Turn right onto North Zion Street

509 ft · 27 sec · North Zion Street

Turn left onto North Vaughn Street

0.2 mi · 43 sec · North Vaughn Street

Arrive at destination

North Vaughn Street

Trip Plan

Since this is a manageable drive, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience, though planning for a single well-timed stop will help you stay alert during the 3-hour journey. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before leaving Holyoke, as long interstate stretches can limit immediate access to services. If you prefer to avoid peak traffic in the Aurora area, try to time your arrival to miss the height of the afternoon commute. Because the route relies so heavily on I-76, check for any highway maintenance updates before you head out to ensure your trip remains efficient. Utilizing the E-470 segment can be a helpful way to bypass congestion, so verify your toll preferences before you reach that portion of the drive.

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 87.1 miles from Holyoke, CO, or about 1h 48m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 105.8 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 38 miles or 53m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 87.1 miles or 1h 48m 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 43m

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 Holyoke, 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 Holyoke, CO

This is one driving day of about 174.2 miles and 3h 21m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Holyoke, 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 76 for about 105.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

town in Weld County, Colorado, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Lochbuie, CO

87 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

Sterling, CO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Fort Morgan, CO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 87.1 miles from Holyoke, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 76 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 105.8 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

First Dragon Chinese Restaurant

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Holyoke, Colorado

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+19708544772

Visit website

La Familia restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Aurora, Colorado

0.7 mi

J & L Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Sterling, Colorado

2.6 mi

First Dragon Chinese Restaurant

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Holyoke, Colorado

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+19708544772

Visit website

La Familia restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 174.2

Aurora, Colorado

Hours: 9 am–8 pm

+17205243411

J & L Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 49.8

Sterling, Colorado

Hours: 5:15 am–8 pm

+19705223625

Visit website

Sam & Louie's Italian Restaurant & New York Pizzeria

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 49.8

Sterling, Colorado

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+19705262550

Visit website

Santiago's Mexican Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 49.8

Sterling, Colorado

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+19705210179

Visit website

Los Toritos Mexican Restaurant

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour $20 to $30 mile 174.2

Aurora, Colorado

Hours: 9 am–11 pm

+13033666381

Fiesta Mexican Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 49.8

Sterling, Colorado

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+19705260401

Wonderful House Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 49.8

Sterling, Colorado

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+19705220101

Visit website

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 174.2

Denver, Colorado

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Loop Charging Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 174.2

Denver, Colorado

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18883856671

Visit website

EVgo Charging Station

2.5 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 174.2

Denver, Colorado

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18774943833

Visit website

Central Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 174.2

Denver, Colorado

Hours: 5 am–11 pm

+17209131311

Visit website

Green Valley Ranch East Park

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 161.7

Denver, Colorado

Hours: 5 am–11 pm

+17209131311

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 17

5 decision points cluster between mile 153.9 and 169.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

153.9 mi into trip | ~2h 54m in

Take the exit toward E470 Toll South: Limon

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 18 Toward E470 Toll South: Limon

161.8 mi into trip | ~3h 3m in

Take the exit toward Denver International Airport, Pena 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. Exit 28 Toward Denver International Airport, Pena Boule...

162 mi into trip | ~3h 4m in

Keep slight right at fork toward Peña Boulevard West

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 28B Toward Peña Boulevard West

169.4 mi into trip | ~3h 13m in

Take the exit toward I 225 South: Aurora, Colorado Springs, Peoria Street

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 282 Toward I 225 South: Aurora, Colorado Springs, ...

169.8 mi into trip | ~3h 14m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 225 South: Aurora, Colorado Springs

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 282 Toward I 225 South: Aurora, Colorado Springs

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$26.25 one way

$52.49 round trip

$3.83/gal 25.4 MPG avg 61 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.05	$27.79	$55.58
premium	$4.39	$30.14	$60.27
diesel	$5.61	$38.46	$76.92

Estimated Tolls: $0.83

E-470 (6.9 mi) $0.83

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

$26

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$52–$77

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 60.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	52.3	$18.29	$8.36
Efficient EV	43.6	$15.24	$6.97
EV Truck/SUV	69.7	$24.39	$11.15

Gas CO2

61 kg

EV CO2

20 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Holyoke, CO

Night in Holyoke on Saturday

Local time

10:33 PM

MDT

Current temp

83°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Aurora, CO

Night in Aurora on Saturday

Local time

10:33 PM

MDT

Current temp

47°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

36 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

3h 21m 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 highway-focused drive, as roughly 88% of your journey will be spent on high-speed roads. The route features a significant 105.8-mile stretch on I-76, which serves as the backbone of your trip and requires steady focus. As you transition from the more rural landscape near Holyoke toward the infrastructure of Aurora, the character of the road shifts from open interstate cruising to the managed lanes of E-470. While the terrain remains relatively consistent, the density of traffic will increase as you approach your destination. Prepare for a consistent, functional driving experience that prioritizes speed and directness over technical maneuvers or winding mountain passes.

88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 105.8 mi on I 76.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 76 and US Highway 6. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 153.9 miles in.

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 17 significant decision points across 174.2 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 153.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 161.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 162 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.

Between Holyoke, CO and Aurora, CO, road signs point toward E470 Toll South: Limon, Denver International Airport and Peña Boulevard West.

E470 Toll South: Limon

153.9 mi in | ~2h 54m

Denver International Airport

161.8 mi in | ~3h 3m

Peña Boulevard West

162 mi in | ~3h 4m

About the Cities

Arriving in Aurora, CO

Full guide →

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."

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 21m. Total distance: 174.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 105.8 miles on I 76. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $0.83 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.

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 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. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Aurora, 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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Return Trip

Aurora, CO to Holyoke, CO

Plan the drive back the other way.

173.3 mi 3h 21m

Explore more options from Holyoke, CO or browse trips ending in Aurora, CO.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse CO road trips.

Trip from Holyoke, CO to Aurora, CO

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

First Dragon Chinese Restaurant

First Dragon Chinese Restaurant

La Familia restaurant

J & L Cafe

Sam & Louie's Italian Restaurant & New York Pizzeria

Santiago's Mexican Restaurant

Los Toritos Mexican Restaurant

Fiesta Mexican Restaurant

Wonderful House Restaurant

Circle K Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Tesla Supercharger

7Charge Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Tesla Supercharger

Loop Charging Station

EVgo Charging Station

Central Park

Green Valley Ranch East Park

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Holyoke, CO

Aurora, CO

Same local time

36 degrees cooler at arrival

3h 21m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Arriving in Aurora, CO

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

How do I pay the tolls on this route?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

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Continue From Aurora, CO

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