Origin
Lochbuie, CO
Late night in Lochbuie on Tuesday
Local time
3:20 AM
MDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lochbuie, CO to Denver, CO
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
36m
Distance
26.1 mi
42 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
EV Charging
Good
6 stations
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 33m
★
6 AM
0h 36m
8 AM
0h 42m
10 AM
0h 38m
12 PM
0h 38m
3 PM
0h 38m
5 PM
0h 42m
8 PM
0h 34m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lochbuie, CO
Wikimedia Commons
Denver, CO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This straightforward 26.1-mile drive from Lochbuie to Denver, Colorado, is easily manageable in just 36 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. You'll primarily navigate the Heartland Expressway and North Valley Highway before reaching North Broadway. With a modest fuel cost estimated at $4, this route focuses on efficient travel. The drive takes you from the Mountain West region further into the same region, offering a quick connection between these Colorado locales. Consider this a simple, no-fuss journey ideal for those looking to reach Denver without a lengthy commitment.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Heartland Expressway | 18.8 mi | 20m |
| North Valley Highway | 2.3 mi | 3m |
| North Broadway | 1 mi | 3m |
| Park Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Park Avenue West | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| County Road 37 | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| West 22nd Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| East 14th Avenue | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Heartland Expressway
— 18.8 mi, about 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lochbuie, CO and Denver, CO.
1
Start on County Road 37
0.4 mi
·
58 sec
·
County Road 37
2
At end of road, turn right onto I-76 Frontage Road
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
I-76 Frontage Road
3
Enter roundabout onto East 168th Avenue
252 ft
·
5 sec
·
East 168th Avenue
4
Continue on East 168th Avenue
109 ft
·
2 sec
·
East 168th Avenue
5
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
Toward I 76 West
6
Merge onto I 76
19 mi
·
20 min
·
Heartland Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
Exit 5
Toward I 25 South: Denver
Use the slight right lane.
8
Continue on this road
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
this road
Toward I 25 south: Denver
9
Merge onto I 25; US 87
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
North Valley Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 213
Toward 38th Avenue, Park Avenue, Downtown
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
Toward Park Avenue, Downtown
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on Park Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Park Avenue
13
Turn straight onto Park Avenue West
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Park Avenue West
14
Continue on West 22nd Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
West 22nd Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Turn right onto North Broadway
1.0 mi
·
3 min
·
North Broadway
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Turn left onto East 14th Avenue
0.1 mi
·
29 sec
·
East 14th Avenue
Use the left lane.
17
Turn left
358 ft
·
27 sec
Use the straight / left lanes.
18
Arrive at destination
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 115 decision points cluster between mile 0.5 and 26.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
East 168th Avenue
Enter roundabout onto East 168th Avenue
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
7
19.7 mi into trip
|
~22m in
Take the exit toward I 25 South: Denver
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 5
Toward I 25 South: Denver
8
23.1 mi into trip
|
~27m in
Take the exit toward 38th Avenue, Park Avenue, Downtown
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 213
Toward 38th Avenue, Park Avenue, Downtown
9
23.3 mi into trip
|
~27m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Park Avenue, Downtown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward Park Avenue, Downtown
7
26.1 mi into trip
|
~35m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$3.93 one way
$7.86 round trip
$3.83/gal
25.4 MPG avg
9 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.05 | $4.16 | $8.33 |
| premium | $4.39 | $4.52 | $9.03 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $5.76 | $11.53 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$4
Estimated CO2 emission: 9.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 7.8 | 0 | $2.74 | $1.25 |
| Efficient EV | 6.5 | 0 | $2.28 | $1.04 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 10.4 | 0 | $3.65 | $1.67 |
Gas CO2
9 kg
EV CO2
3 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.
Destination
Denver, CO
Late night in Denver on Tuesday
Local time
3:20 AM
MDT
Current temp
35°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
19 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
36m 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 for this trip, with 72% of the journey utilizing major roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch spans 18.8 miles on the Heartland Expressway, providing a consistent pace for a significant portion of your travel. While mainly on expressways, the final leg on North Broadway may offer a slightly different feel as you approach Denver. The overall character is one of efficient transit, designed for covering ground quickly rather than for leisurely sightseeing.
72% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 18.8 mi on Heartland Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Heartland Expressway and North Valley Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near East 168th Avenue.
Driving Effort
8/10
Focused - busy navigation packed into a short drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 11 decision points packed into just 26.1 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 36m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (East 168th Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 19.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 23.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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.
On the drive from Lochbuie, CO to Denver, CO, road signs begin pointing toward Downtown along the way.
Downtown
23.1 mi in
|
~27m
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 36m. Total distance: 26.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (72%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 18.8 miles on Heartland Expressway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Denver, CO before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (East 168th Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 19.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 23.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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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