Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 56m
Distance
224.2 mi
361 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$34
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lakewood, CO
Wikimedia Commons
Paonia, CO
Erick Ortega
Lakewood to Paonia is 224.2 miles and takes about 4 hours 56 minutes via I 70 and CO 133, with a fuel budget near $34 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Colorado, moving from the Mountain West region to another part of the Mountain West. With 93% of the route on highways, expect a fairly direct path with minimal slow-downs. The total drive time is manageable for a single day, making it a convenient option for getting between these two points.
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
112.1 miles from Lakewood, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 9m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 70 | 144.9 mi | 2h 45m |
| CO 133 | 58.1 mi | 1h 36m |
| Glen Avenue | 9.8 mi | 15m |
| West 6th Avenue Freeway | 5.2 mi | 6m |
| Midland Avenue | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| South Wadsworth Boulevard | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Grand Avenue | 1 mi | 2m |
| 8th Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Lakewood, CO and Paonia, CO.
Start on CO 121
Take the ramp
Merge onto US 6
Take the exit
Merge onto I 70
Take the exit
Continue on CO 82
Continue on CO 82
Turn right onto 8th Street
At end of road, turn left onto Midland Avenue
Enter roundabout onto 27th Street
Continue on 27th Street
Enter roundabout onto 27th Street
Continue on 27th Street
Turn right onto CO 82
Turn right onto CO 133
Enter roundabout onto CO 133
Continue on CO 133
Continue on CO 133
Turn left onto Grand Avenue
Turn left onto 3rd Street
Turn right onto Orchard Avenue
Arrive at destination
Given the 4 hour 56 minute drive time and 224.2 mile distance, this trip is well-suited for a single day. Aim to depart Lakewood in the morning to make the most of daylight and arrive in Paonia with ample time. You'll want to fuel up before leaving Lakewood, as the longest stretch without a major road change is 144.9 miles on I 70. Consider a brief stop along I 70 for a stretch before the transition to CO 133.
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.
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 49 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 112.1 miles or 2h 9m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 49m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Paonia, CO than in the middle of the route.
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 224.2 miles and 4h 56m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
112 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.
A short stop after about 49 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 112.1 miles from Lakewood, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 70 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 144.9 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.5 and 152.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the ramp toward US 6 West
Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto US 6 / West 6th Avenue Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 70 West: Grand Junction
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto I 70
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward CO 82 East: Glenwood Springs, Aspen
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$33.78 one way
$67.56 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.05 | $35.77 | $71.53 |
| premium | $4.39 | $38.78 | $77.57 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $49.50 | $99.00 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 78.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 67.3 | 0 | $23.54 | $10.76 |
| Efficient EV | 56.1 | 0 | $19.62 | $8.97 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 89.7 | 1 | $31.39 | $14.35 |
Gas CO2
78 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Lakewood on Saturday
Local time
10:42 PM
MDT
Current temp
56°F
Sunny
Destination
Night in Paonia on Saturday
Local time
10:42 PM
MDT
Current temp
59°F
Sunny
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
National Park
Big enough to be overwhelming, yet still intimate enough to feel the pulse of time. Come see some of the steepest cliffs, oldest rock, and craggiest spires in North America. Forces of nature and the G...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
This is a highway-focused drive covering 93% of the 224.2 miles on major roads. You'll spend most of your time on I 70, with a stretch of 144.9 miles before transitioning to CO 133 and then Glen Avenue. Expect a significant portion of highway cruising before you encounter surface roads closer to your destination.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 70 and CO 133. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.5 miles in.
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 224.2 miles you will encounter 15 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 1.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 1.6 miles (US 6 / West 6th Avenue Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 6.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Lakewood, CO to Paonia, CO, road signs begin pointing toward Aspen along the way.
Aspen
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 56m. Total distance: 224.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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 NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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