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Trip from Sterling, CO to Centennial, CO

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 31m

Distance

140.9 mi

227 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$21

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 30 min
4 AM
2h 22m ★
6 AM
2h 32m
8 AM
2h 52m
10 AM
2h 39m
12 PM
2h 37m
3 PM
2h 40m
5 PM
2h 51m
8 PM
2h 26m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in and county seat of Logan County, Colorado, United States

Sterling, CO

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Centennial, CO, CO

Centennial, CO

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 140.9-mile drive from Sterling, Colorado, to Centennial, Colorado, is a straightforward journey that can easily be completed in about 2 hours and 31 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-76, I-225, and E-470, this route is a highway-focused experience designed for efficient travel. Given its manageable length and duration, it's an ideal one-day trip, requiring no overnight stops. You can expect a fuel cost of around $22 for this journey. Both Sterling and Centennial are located within the Mountain West region, making this a cohesive drive within a familiar geographical area.

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

70.5 miles from Sterling, CO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 12m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 76 105.8 mi 1h 45m
I 225 11.1 mi 12m
E-470 6.9 mi 6m
Peña Boulevard 6.6 mi 8m
South Valley Highway 3.3 mi 3m
East Chestnut Street 1.4 mi 2m
US Highway 6 0.2 mi <1m
East Dry Creek Road 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 76 — 105.8 mi, about 1h 45m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Sterling, CO and Centennial, CO.

1

Start on this road

240 ft · 22 sec · this road
2

Turn left onto North 3rd Street

277 ft · 11 sec · North 3rd Street
3

Turn right onto US 6

1.4 mi · 2 min · East Chestnut Street
4

Continue on US 6

0.2 mi · 23 sec · US Highway 6
5

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 43 sec
Toward I 76 West
6

Merge onto I 76

106 mi · 1 hr 45 min · I 76
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Take the exit

1.0 mi · 2 min
Exit 18 Toward E470 Toll South: Limon Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Merge onto E470

6.9 mi · 6 min · E-470
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 17 sec
Exit 28 Toward Denver International Airport, Pena Boulevard Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight right at fork

0.7 mi · 1 min
Exit 28B Toward Peña Boulevard West Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Merge onto Peña Boulevard

6.6 mi · 8 min · Peña Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Merge onto I 70

0.1 mi · 8 sec · Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway
13

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 35 sec
Exit 282 Toward I 225 South: Aurora, Colorado Springs, ​Peoria Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Keep slight left at fork

1.3 mi · 2 min
Exit 282 Toward I 225 South: Aurora, Colorado Springs
15

Continue on I 225

11 mi · 12 min · I 225
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 33 sec
Toward I 25 South: Colorado Springs Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
17

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 12 sec
18

Merge onto I 25

3.3 mi · 3 min · South Valley Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 26 sec
Exit 196 Toward Dry Creek Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Turn right onto CR 46

0.2 mi · 21 sec · East Dry Creek Road
21

Turn left onto South Chester Street

0.1 mi · 30 sec · South Chester Street
Use the left lane.
22

Turn left onto East Panorama Circle

0.1 mi · 39 sec · East Panorama Circle
23

Turn left

133 ft · 11 sec
24

Turn right

472 ft · 34 sec
25

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

For this 2-hour and 31-minute trip, leaving Sterling, CO, in the morning will help you avoid potential afternoon traffic as you approach the Denver metropolitan area. With a total distance of 140.9 miles, you likely won't need to plan for extensive stops, but it's always wise to take a break during the 105.8-mile stretch on I-76. The estimated fuel cost is $22, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before departing Sterling. Pay attention to your fuel gauge, especially during the longer highway segments, to minimize any unscheduled stops.

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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 70.5 miles from Sterling, CO, or about 1h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 105.8 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 31 miles or 33m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 70.5 miles or 1h 12m 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 59m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Centennial, CO than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Sterling, 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 Sterling, CO

This is one driving day of about 140.9 miles and 2h 31m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Sterling, 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 76 for about 105.8 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Aurora, CO, CO

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Aurora, CO

70 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.

Popular next leg

Aurora, CO to Centennial, CO

13.9 mi · 19m

Pacing Suggestions

Fort Morgan, CO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lochbuie, CO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 70.5 miles from Sterling, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 76 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 105.8 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

J & L Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Sterling, Colorado

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 5:15 am–8 pm

+19705223625

Visit website

Sam & Louie's Italian Restaurant & New York Pizzeria

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Sterling, Colorado

0.1 mi

Santiago's Mexican Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Sterling, Colorado

0.1 mi

J & L Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Sterling, Colorado

Hours: 5:15 am–8 pm

+19705223625

Visit website

Sam & Louie's Italian Restaurant & New York Pizzeria

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Sterling, Colorado

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+19705262550

Visit website

Santiago's Mexican Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Sterling, Colorado

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+19705210179

Visit website

Fiesta Mexican Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Sterling, Colorado

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+19705260401

Wonderful House Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Sterling, Colorado

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+19705220101

Visit website

Pizza Hut

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour Inexpensiv

Sterling, Colorado

Hours: 10 am–10 pm

+19705227363

Visit website

Sonic Drive-In

3.1 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Sterling, Colorado

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+19705225338

Visit website

Mi Ranchito Mexican Restaurant

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour Moderately

Sterling, Colorado

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+19705266173

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 120.8

Denver, Colorado

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 120.8

Denver, Colorado

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Circle K Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 120.8

Denver, Colorado

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Costco Wholesale Corporation Charging Station

2.9 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 120.8

Denver, Colorado

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 120.8

Denver, Colorado

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

2.4 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 120.8

Denver, Colorado

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 110.7

Commerce City, Colorado

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

7Charge Charging Station

2.5 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 110.7

Commerce City, Colorado

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Museum of Outdoor Arts

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 140.9

Greenwood Village, Colorado

+13038060444

Visit website

Green Valley Ranch East Park

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 120.8

Denver, Colorado

Hours: 5 am–11 pm

+17209131311

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 21

5 decision points cluster between mile 107.9 and 123.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
107.9 mi into trip | ~1h 50m in

Take the exit toward E470 Toll South: Limon

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 18 Toward E470 Toll South: Limon
8
115.8 mi into trip | ~1h 59m in

Take the exit toward Denver International Airport, Pena Boulevard

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 28 Toward Denver International Airport, Pena Boule...
8
116 mi into trip | ~1h 59m in

Keep slight right at fork toward Peña Boulevard West

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 28B Toward Peña Boulevard West
8
123.5 mi into trip | ~2h 8m in

Take the exit toward I 225 South: Aurora, Colorado Springs, ​Peoria Street

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
123.9 mi into trip | ~2h 9m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 225 South: Aurora, Colorado Springs

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 282 Toward I 225 South: Aurora, Colorado Springs

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$21.23 one way

$42.46 round trip

$3.83/gal 25.4 MPG avg 49 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.05 $22.48 $44.95
premium $4.39 $24.37 $48.75
diesel $5.61 $31.11 $62.22

Estimated Tolls: $0.83

E-470 (6.9 mi) $0.83

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

$21

Tolls

$1

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$47–$72

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 49.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 42.3 0 $14.79 $6.76
Efficient EV 35.2 0 $12.33 $5.64
EV Truck/SUV 56.4 0 $19.73 $9.02

Gas CO2

49 kg

EV CO2

16 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Sterling, CO

Late night in Sterling on Sunday

Local time

1:54 AM

MDT

Current temp

83°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Centennial, CO

Late night in Centennial on Sunday

Local time

1:54 AM

MDT

Current temp

77°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

6 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

2h 31m 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 predominantly highway-focused drive, with 83% of the route being on major interstates. The majority of your time will be spent on I-76, which features the longest uninterrupted stretch of 105.8 miles. This section offers consistent speed and direct travel. As you transition to I-225 and E-470, the road character remains that of a high-speed corridor, designed for swift transit. The drive is characterized by its efficiency rather than dramatic scenic shifts, making it a practical choice for reaching your destination quickly.

83% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 105.8 mi on I 76.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 76 and I 225. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 107.9 miles in.

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 21 significant decision points across 140.9 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 107.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 115.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 116 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.

Between Sterling, CO and Centennial, CO, road signs point toward E470 Toll South: Limon, Denver International Airport, Peña Boulevard West and Colorado Springs.

E470 Toll South: Limon

107.9 mi in | ~1h 50m

Denver International Airport

115.8 mi in | ~1h 59m

Peña Boulevard West

116 mi in | ~1h 59m

Colorado Springs

123.5 mi in | ~2h 8m

About the Cities

Arriving in Centennial, CO

Full guide →

Centennial is a suburban city of about 106,000 in the Denver Metropolitan Area of the western U.S. state of Colorado. The city lies in Arapahoe County southeast of Denver.

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 2h 31m. Total distance: 140.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 105.8 miles on I 76. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $0.83 in tolls one way, starting with E-470. 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 Centennial, 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 107.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 115.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 116 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Centennial, 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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