Origin
Salida, CO
Late night in Salida on Sunday
Local time
1:58 AM
MDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Salida, CO to Broomfield, CO
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 24m
Distance
150 mi
241 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 13m
★
6 AM
3h 25m
8 AM
3h 49m
10 AM
3h 33m
12 PM
3h 31m
3 PM
3h 34m
5 PM
3h 48m
8 PM
3h 17m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Salida, CO
Wikimedia Commons
Broomfield, CO
Owen.outdoors
Trip Overview
Salida to Broomfield is 150 miles and takes about 3 hours 24 minutes via US 24, US 285, and I-70, with a fuel budget near $23 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This straightforward drive connects two points within Colorado's Mountain West region. It's a practical option for getting between these two locations without much fuss. Given its relatively short duration and highway-focused nature, it's well-suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination with time to spare.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
75 miles from Salida, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 42m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 24 | 73.9 mi | 1h 33m |
| US 285 | 42.1 mi | 1h 2m |
| I 70 | 8.5 mi | 9m |
| CO 291 | 6.9 mi | 9m |
| CO 470 | 5.3 mi | 6m |
| Sheridan Boulevard | 4.6 mi | 7m |
| Denver–Boulder Turnpike | 3.6 mi | 4m |
| Heartland Expressway | 1.3 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
US 24
— 73.9 mi, about 1h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Salida, CO and Broomfield, CO.
1
Start on I Street
149 ft
·
9 sec
·
I Street
2
Turn left onto West 5th Street
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
West 5th Street
3
Turn right onto Poncha Boulevard
302 ft
·
12 sec
·
Poncha Boulevard
4
Turn left onto Crestone Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Crestone Avenue
5
Turn right onto North Grant Street
242 ft
·
6 sec
·
North Grant Street
6
Continue on Mesa Lane
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
Mesa Lane
7
At end of road, turn left onto CO 291
6.9 mi
·
9 min
·
CO 291
Use the straight lane.
8
Turn right onto US 285
4.3 mi
·
6 min
·
US 285
9
Continue on US 285
9.7 mi
·
15 min
·
US 285
Use the straight lane.
10
Take the exit onto US 285
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
US 285
Toward US 285 North
11
Merge onto US 24; US 285
74 mi
·
1 hr 33 min
·
US 24; US 285
12
Continue on US 285
28 mi
·
39 min
·
US 285
Use the straight / slight left / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
53 sec
Toward CO 470 West: West CO 470 to I-70
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Merge onto CO 470
5.3 mi
·
6 min
·
CO 470
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
Exit 1
Toward I 70: Grand Junction, Denver
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 70 East: Denver
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Merge onto I 70
8.5 mi
·
9 min
·
I 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 76
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Heartland Expressway
Exit 269B
Toward I 76 East: Fort Morgan
Use the left lane.
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 1B
Toward CO 95: Sheridan Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Turn left onto CO 95
4.6 mi
·
7 min
·
Sheridan Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
21
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward US 36 West: Boulder
Use the left lane.
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Toward US 36 West
23
Merge onto US 36
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
24
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
0.8 mi
·
52 sec
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
26
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
42 sec
Toward CO 121: Wadsworth Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Turn right onto CO 121
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
CO 121
28
Continue on US 287
204 ft
·
5 sec
·
US 287
29
Turn right onto West Midway Boulevard
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
West Midway Boulevard
Use the right lane.
30
Turn right onto Nickel Street
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
Nickel Street
Use the right lane.
31
Turn left onto West 3rd Avenue
273 ft
·
17 sec
·
West 3rd Avenue
Use the left lane.
32
Turn left
192 ft
·
14 sec
33
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
With a drive time of just over 3 hours, this trip is easily completed in a single day, offering flexibility in your departure. Consider leaving in the morning to maximize your daylight hours. The primary roads involved mean fuel and rest stops are generally abundant, but it's always wise to keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 73.9-mile stretch on US 24. Budgeting around $23 for fuel is a reasonable estimate for this 150-mile journey.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 75 miles from Salida, CO, or about 1h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 73.9 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 33 miles or 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 75 miles or 1h 42m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Broomfield, CO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Salida, 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 Salida, CO
This is one driving day of about 150 miles and 3h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Salida, 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 US 24 for about 73.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
75 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 33 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 75 miles from Salida, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 24 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 73.9 miles.
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 265 decision points cluster between mile 0.8 and 140 — 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
|
CO 291
At end of road, turn left onto CO 291
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
129.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 55m in
Take the exit toward I 70: Grand Junction, Denver
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 1
Toward I 70: Grand Junction, Denver
7
129.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 55m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 70 East: Denver
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 70 East: Denver
8
138.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 7m in
|
I 76 / Heartland Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 76 / Heartland Expressway toward I 76 East: Fort Morgan
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Exit 269B
Toward I 76 East: Fort Morgan
7
140 mi into trip
|
~3h 8m in
Take the exit toward CO 95: Sheridan Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 1B
Toward CO 95: Sheridan Boulevard
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.60 one way
$45.20 round trip
$3.83/gal
25.4 MPG avg
53 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.05 | $23.93 | $47.86 |
| premium | $4.39 | $25.95 | $51.90 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $33.12 | $66.24 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.24
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
(3.6 mi)
$0.24
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
$23
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 52.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 45 | 0 | $15.75 | $7.20 |
| Efficient EV | 37.5 | 0 | $13.13 | $6.00 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 60 | 0 | $21.00 | $9.60 |
Gas CO2
52 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (65% 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
Broomfield, CO
Late night in Broomfield on Sunday
Local time
1:58 AM
MDT
Current temp
75°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
3 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
3h 24m 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?
This drive is primarily highway-focused, with 95% of the journey on major roads. You'll spend most of your time on US 24, US 285, and I-70, experiencing a consistent pace. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 73.9 miles on US 24, offering a good opportunity to settle in. Expect a smooth, efficient ride for the majority of the 150 miles, making it a predictable and easy driving experience.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 73.9 mi on US 24.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 24 and US 285. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in near CO 291.
Driving Effort
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 26 significant decision points across 150 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.8 miles (CO 291): Lane positioning matters here; at 129.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 129.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Salida, CO to Broomfield, CO, road signs begin pointing toward Denver along the way.
Denver
129.2 mi in
|
~2h 55m
About the Cities
Arriving in Broomfield, CO
Full guide →Broomfield is a combined city and county of about 77,000 in the Denver Metropolitan Area of the western U.S. state of Colorado. Broomfield lies 14 miles (23 km) northwest of Denver and 12 miles (19 km) southeast of Boulder. The only other combined city and county in Colorado is the City and County of Denver, the state capital.
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 3h 24m. Total distance: 150 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 73.9 miles on US 24. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.24 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.
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 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 Broomfield, 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 0.8 miles (CO 291): Lane positioning matters here; at 129.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 129.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Broomfield, CO, but most travelers stay overnight.
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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