This 79.1-mile drive from Monument to Boulder, Colorado, will take approximately 1 hour and 26 minutes. With a fuel cost estimated at $12, it's an economical trip. The route primarily utilizes local roads, with no highway driving, and is best suited as a single-day excursion. You'll be navigating a series of turns, so keep your attention focused. As both your origin and destination are within the Mountain West region, expect a consistent landscape throughout your journey.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
39.5 miles from Monument, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 46m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Ronald Reagan Highway
55.9 mi
1h 2m
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
19.8 mi
23m
28th Street
0.8 mi
1m
Arapahoe Avenue
0.6 mi
1m
2nd Street
0.5 mi
1m
CO 105
0.3 mi
<1m
19th Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Washington Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Ronald Reagan Highway
— 55.9 mi, about 1h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Monument, CO and Boulder, CO.
1
Start on Washington Street
53 ft·7 sec·Washington Street
2
Turn left onto 2nd Street
0.5 mi·1 min·2nd Street
3
Continue on CO 105
0.3 mi·34 sec·CO 105
Use the straight lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·53 sec
Toward I 25: I 25 North, Denver
5
Merge onto I 25
56 mi·1 hr 2 min·Ronald Reagan Highway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.6 mi·51 sec
Exit 217AToward US 36 West: Westminster, BoulderUse the slight left lane.
7
Merge onto US 36
2.1 mi·2 min·Denver–Boulder Turnpike
8
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
1.7 mi·1 min·Denver–Boulder Turnpike
9
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
2.3 mi·2 min·Denver–Boulder Turnpike
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
1.9 mi·2 min·Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
2.1 mi·2 min·Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
2.9 mi·3 min·Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
2.4 mi·2 min·Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
2.2 mi·2 min·Denver–Boulder Turnpike
15
Keep slight left at fork onto US 36
2.3 mi·2 min·Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on US 36
0.8 mi·1 min·28th Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
17
Turn left onto Arapahoe Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·Arapahoe Avenue
Use the left lane.
18
Turn right onto 19th Street
143 ft·11 sec·19th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Turn left
87 ft·4 sec
20
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 1 hour and 26 minutes and the absence of designated stops, this trip offers great flexibility. You can depart at your leisure, perhaps after a relaxed morning in Monument. Since the drive is under 80 miles and doesn't heavily feature highways, keep an eye on your fuel gauge, though the $12 estimate suggests it won't be a major concern. The 'turn-heavy' nature of the route means staying attentive to your GPS or map is key to smooth progress.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 39.5 miles from Monument, CO, or about 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55.9 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 17 miles or 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39.5 miles or 46m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Boulder, CO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Monument, CO so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Monument, CO
This is one driving day of about 78.9 miles and 1h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Monument, CO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Ronald Reagan Highway for about 55.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.8 and 67.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.8 mi into trip|~2m in
Take the ramp toward I 25: I 25 North, Denver
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 25: I 25 North, Denver
8
57.2 mi into trip|~1h 5m in
Take the exit toward US 36 West: Westminster, Boulder
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 217A
Toward US 36 West: Westminster, Boulder
6
63.7 mi into trip|~1h 13m 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.
6
65.6 mi into trip|~1h 16m 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.
6
67.8 mi into trip|~1h 18m 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.89 one way
$23.78 round trip
$3.83/gal25.4 MPG avg28 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.05
$12.59
$25.17
premium
$4.39
$13.65
$27.30
diesel
$5.61
$17.42
$34.84
Estimated Tolls: $1.38
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
(19.8 mi)$1.38
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
$12
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
23.7
0
$8.28
$3.79
Efficient EV
19.7
0
$6.90
$3.16
EV Truck/SUV
31.6
0
$11.05
$5.05
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (68% 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
Monument, CO
Late night
in Monument on Sunday
Local time
1:54 AM
MDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Boulder, CO
Late night
in Boulder on Sunday
Local time
1:54 AM
MDT
Current temp
72°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
30 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
1h 33m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument
National Monument
Beneath a grassy mountain valley in central Colorado lies one of the richest and most diverse fossil deposits in the world. Petrified redwood stumps up to 14 feet wide and thousands of detailed fossil...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a 'turn-heavy' local drive on this route, meaning you'll be making frequent adjustments rather than settling into long, straight stretches. With a 0% highway share, this journey offers a more intimate connection with the local terrain. There isn't a 'longest stretch' data point provided, suggesting a continuous engagement with directional changes. This type of driving requires active navigation and can feel more involved than a typical interstate cruise.
Only 25% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 55.9 mi on Ronald Reagan Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 0.8 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 78.9 miles you will encounter 16 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 0.8 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 57.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 63.7 miles (US 36 / Denver–Boulder Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 33m. Total distance: 78.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 55.9 miles on Ronald Reagan Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.38 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 Boulder, 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 0.8 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 57.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 63.7 miles (US 36 / Denver–Boulder Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument. 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 Boulder, CO before heading back.
