Westminster, CO to Ridgway, CO is 325.1 miles and takes about 6h 26m via I 70, with a fuel budget near $58 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Mountain West region, offering a straightforward drive. With 81% of the route on highways, it's largely a matter of covering ground efficiently. You'll find this route best suited for a single-day push if you're looking to get to your destination without too many detours.
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
162.5 miles from Westminster, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 3m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 70
232.9 mi
4h 18m
South Townsend Avenue
26.1 mi
35m
Main Street
20.8 mi
27m
US 50
14.8 mi
17m
United States Highway 50
11.7 mi
14m
32 Road
5.4 mi
9m
Sheridan Boulevard
2.5 mi
4m
G Road
2.3 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 70
— 232.9 mi, about 4h 18m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 18 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,726 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,309
Quietest
2 AM
~95 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
18.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Westminster, CO and Ridgway, CO.
1
Start on Newton Street
0.1 mi·35 sec·Newton Street
2
Turn right onto West 76th Avenue
0.8 mi·2 min·West 76th Avenue
3
Turn left onto CO 95
2.5 mi·4 min·Sheridan Boulevard
Use the left lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward I 76 West
5
Merge onto I 76
1.3 mi·1 min·Heartland Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Merge onto I 70
233 mi·4 hr 18 min·I 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit onto I 70 BUS
1.6 mi·2 min·I 70 BUS
Exit 37Toward I 70 Business, US 6, US 50: Clifton, Grand Junction, DeltaUse the left lane.
8
Continue on I 70 BUS; US 6
0.2 mi·31 sec·I 70 BUS; US 6
9
Turn left onto CO 141
5.4 mi·9 min·32 Road
Use the left lane.
10
At end of road, turn left onto US 50; CO 141
12 mi·14 min·United States Highway 50
Toward DeltaUse the left lane.
11
Continue on US 50
15 mi·17 min·US 50
12
Turn right onto G50 Road
2.2 mi·3 min·G50 Road
Use the right lane.
13
Continue on G Road
0.7 mi·1 min·G Road
14
Continue on G Road
1.6 mi·3 min·G Road
15
Continue on West 5th Street
0.2 mi·30 sec·West 5th Street
16
Turn right onto Confluence Drive
0.8 mi·1 min·Confluence Drive
17
Take the exit
0.1 mi·14 sec
18
Merge onto US 50
21 mi·27 min·Main Street
Use the straight lane.
19
Continue on US 550
26 mi·35 min·South Townsend Avenue
Use the left lane.
20
Turn right onto CO 62
0.7 mi·2 min·Sherman Street
21
Turn right onto North Charlotte Street
0.1 mi·37 sec·North Charlotte Street
22
Turn left
83 ft·4 sec
23
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 26m estimated drive time and 325.1 miles, leaving Westminster in the morning should allow you to reach Ridgway with plenty of daylight remaining. The route includes one stop, so plan for a brief break during your longest stretch on I 70. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially as you approach the end of the 232.9-mile segment on the interstate, as services can become less frequent. The $58 fuel cost is an estimate, so check current prices before you depart.
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 162.5 miles from Westminster, CO, or about 3h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 232.9 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 72 miles or 1h 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 162.5 miles or 3h 3m 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 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ridgway, CO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Westminster, 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 Westminster, CO
This is one driving day of about 325.1 miles and 6h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 72 miles from Westminster, 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 232.9 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 1 and 245.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1 mi into trip|~2m in|CO 95 / Sheridan Boulevard
Turn left onto CO 95 / Sheridan Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
3.9 mi into trip|~7m in|I 76 / Heartland Expressway
Merge onto I 76 / Heartland Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
5.2 mi into trip|~9m in|I 70
Merge onto I 70
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
238.1 mi into trip|~4h 27m in|I 70 BUS
Take the exit onto I 70 BUS toward I 70 Business, US 6, US 50: Clifton, Grand Junction, Delta
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Exit 37
Toward I 70 Business, US 6, US 50: Clifton, Gra...
7
245.3 mi into trip|~4h 40m in|US 50; CO 141 / United States Highway 50
At end of road, turn left onto US 50; CO 141 / United States Highway 50 toward Delta
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward Delta
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$49.57 one way
$99.14 round trip
$3.87/gal25.4 MPG avg114 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$52.69
$105.39
premium
$4.45
$56.99
$113.99
diesel
$4.80
$61.39
$122.77
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$50
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$75–$100
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 113.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
97.5
1
$34.14
$15.60
Efficient EV
81.3
0
$28.45
$13.00
EV Truck/SUV
130
1
$45.51
$20.81
Gas CO2
114 kg
EV CO2
38 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Westminster, CO
Evening
in Westminster on Saturday
Local time
7:27 PM
MDT
Current temp
93°F
Sunny
NE 3 to 8 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Ridgway, CO
Evening
in Ridgway on Saturday
Local time
7:27 PM
MDT
Current temp
81°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
WSW 0 to 5 mph70% chanceLive 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
12 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 26m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park
National Park
Big enough to be overwhelming, yet still intimate enough to feel the pulse of time. Come see some of the steepest cliffs, oldest rock, and craggiest spires in North America. Forces of nature and the G...
12 mi from route
~31 min detour
$30
near mile 291.5
Colorado National Monument preserves one of the grand landscapes of the American West. But this treasure is much more than a monument. Towering monoliths exist within a vast plateau and canyon panoram...
13 mi from route
~33 min detour
$25
near mile 246.6
Three reservoirs and surrounding lands make up this recreation area in western Colorado. It is a landscape of tradeoffs; natural and human made features exist together. Geologic wonders are abundant f...
27 mi from route
~67 min detour
Free
near mile 313.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend most of your time on I 70, which accounts for 81% of the 325.1-mile trip. The longest continuous stretch on this interstate is 232.9 miles. After leaving I 70, you'll transition to surface roads like South Townsend Avenue and Main Street for the final portion of the drive. Expect a good amount of rural cruising once you're off the interstate.
81% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 232.9 mi on I 70.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 70 and South Townsend Avenue. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in near CO 95 / Sheridan Boulevard.
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 325.1 miles you will encounter 14 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 1 miles (CO 95 / Sheridan Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.9 miles (I 76 / Heartland Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 5.2 miles (I 70): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mountain driving with significant elevation changes
9,032 ft4,810 ft
Total Climb
5,879 ft
Total Descent
4,222 ft
Highest Point
9,032 ft
~69.7 mi in
Elevation Range
4,222 ft
Notable High Points
9,032 ft at ~69.7 miles+402 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Westminster, CO and Ridgway, CO, road signs point toward Grand Junction and Delta.
Westminster is a city of about 115,000 in the Denver Metropolitan Area of the western U.S. state of Colorado. The city lies northwest of Denver in Adams and Jefferson counties.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 26m. Total distance: 325.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 26m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (81%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 232.9 miles on I 70. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 14 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Ridgway, 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. There are 14 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1 miles (CO 95 / Sheridan Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.9 miles (I 76 / Heartland Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 5.2 miles (I 70): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park, Colorado National Monument and Curecanti National Recreation Area. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.4 hours each way, a round trip means 12.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Ridgway, CO before the return drive.
