Origin
Lyons, CO
Late night in Lyons on Sunday
Local time
1:54 AM
MDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lyons, 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
1h 8m
Distance
50.6 mi
81 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 3m
★
6 AM
1h 9m
8 AM
1h 20m
10 AM
1h 12m
12 PM
1h 11m
3 PM
1h 13m
5 PM
1h 19m
8 PM
1h 5m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lyons, CO
Wikimedia Commons
Aurora, CO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 50.6-mile drive from Lyons to Aurora, Colorado, will take you about 1 hour and 8 minutes, making it a perfect single-day trip. You'll primarily travel on the Denver–Boulder Turnpike, North Foothills Highway, and Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, with 44% of the journey on highways. The estimated fuel cost is around $8, reflecting a straightforward and accessible route within the Mountain West region. This drive offers a mixed experience, suitable for a quick commute or a scenic day trip without the need for an overnight stay. It's a practical option for traversing between two points in Colorado without significant time commitment or expense.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Denver–Boulder Turnpike | 19.9 mi | 23m |
| North Foothills Highway | 12.2 mi | 15m |
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 6.9 mi | 9m |
| 28th Street | 3.3 mi | 6m |
| Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway | 2.5 mi | 3m |
| I 225 | 2.2 mi | 2m |
| Ute Highway | 1 mi | 1m |
| East 6th Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
— 19.9 mi, about 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lyons, CO and Aurora, CO.
1
Start on US 36
260 ft
·
16 sec
·
West Main Street
2
Continue on US 36
427 ft
·
17 sec
·
West Main Street
3
Turn left onto US 36
0.3 mi
·
50 sec
·
Broadway
Use the left / straight lanes.
4
Merge onto US 36
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
Main Street
5
Continue on US 36
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Ute Highway
Use the straight lane.
6
Take the exit onto US 36
198 ft
·
6 sec
·
US 36
7
Merge onto US 36
12 mi
·
15 min
·
North Foothills Highway
Use the straight lane.
8
Turn sharp right onto Jay Road
84 ft
·
10 sec
·
Jay Road
9
Take the ramp
128 ft
·
3 sec
10
Merge onto US 36
3.3 mi
·
6 min
·
28th Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
11
Turn straight onto US 36
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
13
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
14
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
15
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
16
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
17
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
2.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
18
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Toward I 25: Denver, Fort Collins
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on I 270
6.9 mi
·
9 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Merge onto I 70
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
1 min
Exit 282
Toward I 225 South: Aurora, Colorado Springs
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on I 225
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
I 225
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 9
Toward CO 30: 6th Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
25
Turn right onto CO 30
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
·
East 6th Avenue
Use the right lane.
26
Turn right onto Vaughn Street
257 ft
·
12 sec
·
Vaughn Street
27
Turn right onto North Zion Street
509 ft
·
27 sec
·
North Zion Street
28
Turn left onto North Vaughn Street
0.2 mi
·
43 sec
·
North Vaughn Street
29
Arrive at destination
North Vaughn Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
25 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 11 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 25.3 miles from Lyons, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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 245 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 49.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 36 / Broadway
Turn left onto US 36 / Broadway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
6
33.8 mi into trip
|
~46m in
|
US 36 / Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36 / Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
35.8 mi into trip
|
~48m in
|
US 36 / Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36 / Denver–Boulder Turnpike toward I 25: Denver, Fort Collins
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 25: Denver, Fort Collins
8
46.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 2m in
Take the exit toward I 225 South: Aurora, 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.
Exit 282
Toward I 225 South: Aurora, Colorado Springs
7
49.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 6m in
Take the exit toward CO 30: 6th Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 9
Toward CO 30: 6th Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$7.62 one way
$15.25 round trip
$3.83/gal
25.4 MPG avg
18 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.05 | $8.07 | $16.14 |
| premium | $4.39 | $8.75 | $17.51 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $11.17 | $22.34 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.39
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
(19.9 mi)
$1.39
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$8
Tolls
$1
Total
$9
Estimated CO2 emission: 17.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 15.2 | 0 | $5.31 | $2.43 |
| Efficient EV | 12.7 | 0 | $4.43 | $2.02 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 20.2 | 0 | $7.08 | $3.24 |
Gas CO2
18 kg
EV CO2
6 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
Aurora, CO
Late night in Aurora on Sunday
Local time
1:54 AM
MDT
Current temp
47°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
27 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
1h 8m 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 mixed drive on this route, blending highway speeds with potentially more local road conditions. While 44% of the route is on highways, you'll encounter stretches like the 19.9-mile segment on the Denver–Boulder Turnpike that offer a more continuous driving experience. The road's personality will likely shift as you transition between the Denver–Boulder Turnpike and other named routes like North Foothills Highway, offering varied driving dynamics. This blend means you won't be stuck in monotonous highway driving for the entire trip, providing a more engaging journey behind the wheel.
44% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 19.9 mi on Denver–Boulder Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near US 36 / Broadway.
Driving Effort
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 50.6 miles you will encounter 24 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 0.1 miles (US 36 / Broadway): Lane positioning matters here; at 33.8 miles (US 36 / Denver–Boulder Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 35.8 miles (US 36 / Denver–Boulder Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Between Lyons, CO and Aurora, CO, road signs point toward Fort Collins and Colorado Springs.
Fort Collins
35.8 mi in
|
~48m
|
via US 36
Colorado Springs
46.5 mi in
|
~1h 2m
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 1h 8m. Total distance: 50.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (44%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 19.9 miles on Denver–Boulder Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.39 in tolls one way, starting with Denver–Boulder Turnpike. 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.
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.
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 0.1 miles (US 36 / Broadway): Lane positioning matters here; at 33.8 miles (US 36 / Denver–Boulder Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 35.8 miles (US 36 / Denver–Boulder Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Rocky Mountain National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Aurora, 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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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