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Trip from Lakewood, CO to Burlington, 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 4m

Distance

173.6 mi

279 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$26

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min
4 AM
2h 53m ★
6 AM
3h 4m
8 AM
3h 27m
10 AM
3h 13m
12 PM
3h 10m
3 PM
3h 14m
5 PM
3h 26m
8 PM
2h 58m

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 Jefferson County, Colorado, United States

Lakewood, CO

Wikimedia Commons

city in and county seat of Kit Carson, Colorado, United States

Burlington, CO

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 173.6-mile drive from Lakewood, Colorado, to Burlington, Colorado, is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in about 3 hours. Primarily utilizing the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway and I-70, with a brief stint on North Valley Highway, this route is well-suited for a single-day excursion. With an estimated fuel cost of $26, it's an economical option for a quick getaway within the Mountain West region. The journey offers a practical and efficient way to travel between these two Colorado destinations, making it ideal for those looking for a no-fuss road trip.

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

86.8 miles from Lakewood, CO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 35m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway 150.5 mi 2h 30m
I 70 9 mi 12m
North Valley Highway 3.2 mi 4m
West 6th Avenue Freeway 2.7 mi 3m
Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway 2.4 mi 2m
South Wadsworth Boulevard 1.3 mi 2m
US 6 1.3 mi 2m
Grand Army of the Republic Highway 1 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway — 150.5 mi, about 2h 30m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lakewood, CO and Burlington, CO.

1

Start on CO 121

1.3 mi · 2 min · South Wadsworth Boulevard
2

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 21 sec
Toward US 6 East: Denver Use the slight right lane.
3

Merge onto US 6

2.7 mi · 3 min · West 6th Avenue Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4

Take the exit onto US 6

1.3 mi · 2 min · US 6
Toward I 25: Fort Collins, Colorado Springs Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5

Merge onto I 25

3.2 mi · 4 min · North Valley Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 19 sec
Exit 214A Toward I 70: Limon, Grand Junction Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Continue on Grand Army of the Republic Highway

1.0 mi · 1 min · Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Toward I 70
8

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 40 sec
9

Merge onto I 70

9.0 mi · 12 min · I 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight left at fork onto I 70

2.4 mi · 2 min · Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
11

Continue on I 70

151 mi · 2 hr 30 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit onto I 70 Business

0.2 mi · 32 sec · I 70 Business
Toward US 385, I 70 Business: Lincoln Street Use the slight right lane.
13

Turn left onto I 70 Business; US 385

0.5 mi · 50 sec · South Lincoln Street
14

Turn right onto I 70 Business; US 24; US 385

0.5 mi · 55 sec · Rose Avenue
Use the right lane.
15

Turn left onto 15th Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · 15th Street
Use the left lane.
16

Arrive at destination

15th Street

Trip Plan

Given the 3-hour duration, this route is perfect for a day trip, offering flexibility in your departure time. Starting early can help you avoid any potential traffic, especially as you leave the Denver metropolitan area. You'll want to be mindful of the single recommended stop; plan it strategically along the 150.5-mile stretch on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. Keep an eye on your fuel, with an estimated cost of $26 for the entire journey, ensuring you have enough to reach Burlington without concern. The 'turn-heavy local drive' profile suggests paying close attention as you get closer to Burlington.

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 86.8 miles from Lakewood, CO, or about 1h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 150.5 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 46m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 86.8 miles or 1h 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 2h 31m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Lakewood, 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 Lakewood, CO

This is one driving day of about 173.6 miles and 3h 4m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 miles from Lakewood, 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 Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for about 150.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

census designated place in Arapahoe County, Colorado, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Byers, 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

Aurora, CO

Fuel and coffee

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

Byers, CO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 86.8 miles from Lakewood, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 150.5 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 12

5 decision points cluster between mile 4.3 and 172.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
4.3 mi into trip | ~6m in | US 6

Take the exit onto US 6 toward I 25: Fort Collins, Colorado Springs

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 I 25: Fort Collins, Colorado Springs
8
8.7 mi into trip | ~13m 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
6
19.1 mi into trip | ~27m in | I 70 / Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 70 / Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.
7
172 mi into trip | ~3h in | I 70 Business

Take the exit onto I 70 Business toward US 385, I 70 Business: Lincoln Street

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward US 385, I 70 Business: Lincoln Street
6
172.7 mi into trip | ~3h 2m in | I 70 Business; US 24; US 385 / Rose Avenue

Turn right onto I 70 Business; US 24; US 385 / Rose Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$26.16 one way

$52.31 round trip

$3.83/gal 25.4 MPG avg 61 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.05 $27.69 $55.39
premium $4.39 $30.03 $60.06
diesel $5.61 $38.33 $76.66

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$26

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$51–$76

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 60.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

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

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 52.1 0 $18.23 $8.33
Efficient EV 43.4 0 $15.19 $6.94
EV Truck/SUV 69.4 0 $24.30 $11.11

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 13, 2026

Origin

Lakewood, CO

Night in Lakewood on Saturday

Local time

10:38 PM

MDT

Current temp

45°F

Partly Cloudy

SW 8 mph 2% chance Live forecast

Red Flag Warning

Red Flag Warning issued April 13 at 12:18AM MDT until April 13 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Pueblo CO

Red Flag Warning

Red Flag Warning issued April 13 at 12:18AM MDT until April 13 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Pueblo CO

Destination

Burlington, CO

Night in Burlington on Saturday

Local time

10:38 PM

MDT

Current temp

46°F

Partly Cloudy

W 15 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Red Flag Warning

Red Flag Warning issued April 13 at 12:18AM MDT until April 13 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Pueblo CO

Red Flag Warning

Red Flag Warning issued April 13 at 12:18AM MDT until April 13 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Pueblo 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

1 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 4m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a predominantly highway experience on this route, with 8% of the drive on local roads and the majority on major interstates like the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway and I-70. The profile is described as 'turn-heavy local drive,' suggesting transitions between faster highway speeds and more frequent turns as you approach your destination. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a significant 150.5 miles on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, offering a substantial period of consistent driving. This mix means you'll experience both open highway cruising and more engaging local road navigation.

Only 8% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 150.5 mi on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

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 around 4.3 miles in near US 6.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 173.6 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 4.3 miles (US 6): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.1 miles (I 70 / Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Elevation Profile

High-altitude sections with notable climbs

5,600 ft 4,166 ft

Total Climb

724 ft

Total Descent

2,078 ft

Highest Point

5,600 ft

~86.8 mi in

Elevation Range

1,434 ft

Notable High Points

5,555 ft at ~37.2 miles +40 ft prominence
5,600 ft at ~86.8 miles +185 ft prominence
5,412 ft at ~111.6 miles +20 ft prominence

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 Lakewood, CO to Burlington, CO, road signs begin pointing toward Grand Junction along the way.

Grand Junction

8.7 mi in | ~13m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 4m. Total distance: 173.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 150.5 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower 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 Burlington, 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: at 4.3 miles (US 6): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.1 miles (I 70 / Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 6.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Burlington, 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, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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