Spanning 274.9 miles across the Colorado Mountain West, this journey from Rangely to Arvada is a straightforward drive that typically takes about 6 hours and 3 minutes. Because the route is highway-focused, it is easily manageable as a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. You should budget approximately $42 for fuel to cover the distance. By utilizing a combination of CO 13, West Main Street, and the primary artery of I-70, you will experience a transition from the remote areas near Rangely toward the urban edge of the Denver metro area. Whether you are commuting or road-tripping, this route offers a reliable path through the heart of the state.
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
137.4 miles from Rangely, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 22m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 70
177.3 mi
3h 22m
West Main Street
55 mi
1h 28m
CO 13
37.5 mi
1h
Whiteriver Avenue
1.5 mi
3m
Kipling Parkway
1 mi
1m
West 58th Avenue
0.8 mi
1m
Kipling Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Railroad Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 70
— 177.3 mi, about 3h 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rangely, CO and Arvada, CO.
1
Start on CO 64
55 mi·1 hr 28 min·West Main Street
Use the straight lane.
2
At end of road, turn right onto CO 13
37 mi·59 min·CO 13
Use the straight lane.
3
Continue on CO 13
0.3 mi·33 sec·Railroad Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Turn left onto Whiteriver Avenue
0.9 mi·2 min·Whiteriver Avenue
Use the left lane.
5
Continue on Whiteriver Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·Whiteriver Avenue
6
Take the ramp
209 ft·5 sec
7
Merge onto CO 13
0.4 mi·44 sec·CO 13
8
Enter roundabout
254 ft·4 sec
9
Continue
0.2 mi·32 sec
10
Merge onto I 70
177 mi·3 hr 22 min·I 70
Use the straight lane.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 267Toward CO 391: Kipling StreetUse the slight right lane.
12
Turn left onto CO 391
0.3 mi·43 sec·Kipling Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
13
Continue on Kipling Parkway
1.0 mi·1 min·Kipling Parkway
14
Turn right onto West 58th Avenue
0.8 mi·1 min·West 58th Avenue
15
Continue on Ralston Road
0.2 mi·39 sec·Ralston Road
16
Turn left onto Carr Street
0.1 mi·20 sec·Carr Street
17
Turn right onto West 59th Avenue
0.2 mi·36 sec·West 59th Avenue
18
Turn right onto Ammons Street
426 ft·16 sec·Ammons Street
19
Turn right
41 ft·3 sec
20
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this 274.9-mile trek is quite doable in one sitting, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time. Plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs, especially given the lengthy 177.3-mile stretch on I-70 where your momentum will be highest. Because you are traveling through the Mountain West, keep an eye on changing weather patterns that can impact interstate travel, even if the road appears clear at your start point. If you prefer to arrive in Arvada feeling refreshed, consider scheduling your break mid-way through the I-70 segment to refuel and reset. Checking your gas levels before leaving Rangely is wise, as it ensures you stay within your estimated $42 fuel budget for the duration of the trip.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 137.4 miles from Rangely, CO, or about 3h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 177.3 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 60 miles or 1h 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 137.4 miles or 3h 22m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 3m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Arvada, CO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Rangely, 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 Rangely, CO
This is one driving day of about 274.9 miles and 6h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from Rangely, 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 I 70 for about 177.3 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 55 and 274.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
55 mi into trip|~1h 28m in|CO 13
At end of road, turn right onto CO 13
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
92.4 mi into trip|~2h 28m in|Whiteriver Avenue
Turn left onto Whiteriver Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
94.6 mi into trip|~2h 34m in|I 70
Merge onto I 70
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
271.9 mi into trip|~5h 56m in
Take the exit toward CO 391: Kipling Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 267
Toward CO 391: Kipling Street
5
274.5 mi into trip|~6h 2m in|Carr Street
Turn left onto Carr Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.42 one way
$82.84 round trip
$3.83/gal25.4 MPG avg96 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.05
$43.85
$87.71
premium
$4.39
$47.56
$95.11
diesel
$5.61
$60.69
$121.39
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 96.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
82.5
1
$28.86
$13.20
Efficient EV
68.7
0
$24.05
$11.00
EV Truck/SUV
110
1
$38.49
$17.59
Gas CO2
96 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Rangely, CO
Evening
in Rangely on Saturday
Local time
7:23 PM
MDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Arvada, CO
Evening
in Arvada on Saturday
Local time
7:23 PM
MDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
36°F
Eagle, CO
137 mi in
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
28 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
6h 3m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a drive defined by its highway-focused nature, with 78% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will quickly settle into a rhythm once you hit your longest stretch, which consists of 177.3 uninterrupted miles on I-70. While the initial sections involve navigating CO 13 and West Main Street, the majority of the trip is a high-speed interstate experience. The character of the road shifts significantly as you leave the quieter, smaller-town surroundings of Rangely and merge onto the busier, more heavily trafficked interstate corridors. Be prepared for a consistent, efficient pace that favors mileage over technical, winding backroads.
78% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 177.3 mi on I 70.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 70 and West Main Street. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 55 miles in near CO 13.
Driving Effort5/10
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 274.9 miles you will encounter 12 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 55 miles (CO 13): Lane positioning matters here; at 92.4 miles (Whiteriver Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 94.6 miles (I 70): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Arvada is a city of about 125,000 in the Denver Metropolitan Area of the U.S. state of Colorado. A former farming community in Jefferson and Adams counties, the city is now a residential suburb of Denver. Olde Town Arvada lies 7 miles (11 km) northwest of the Colorado State Capitol and 9 miles (14 km) east of the Front Range foothills.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 3m. Total distance: 274.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 3m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (78%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 177.3 miles on I 70. 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 is a long drive, so arriving tired and in the dark compounds. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Arvada, 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 55 miles (CO 13): Lane positioning matters here; at 92.4 miles (Whiteriver Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 94.6 miles (I 70): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.1 hours each way, a round trip means 12.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Arvada, CO before the return drive.
