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Trip from Yuma, CO to Arvada, 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 38m

Distance

142.6 mi

230 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$21

one way

EV Charging

Fair

4 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 32 min
4 AM
2h 28m ★
6 AM
2h 39m
8 AM
3h 0m
10 AM
2h 46m
12 PM
2h 44m
3 PM
2h 47m
5 PM
2h 59m
8 PM
2h 33m

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 Yuma County, Colorado, United States

Yuma, CO

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Arvada, CO, CO

Arvada, CO

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 142.5-mile drive from Yuma, CO to Arvada, CO is easily managed as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 14 minutes. You'll primarily navigate via Highway 6 and Highway 34, with a portion on West 8th Avenue, and it's a route with a higher number of turns, so keep your attention sharp. Given its relatively short length and the estimated fuel cost of $22, it’s a straightforward journey. Both your origin and destination are within the Mountain West region, so you won't be crossing major geographical or climatic divides. This route is best suited for those who prefer a more involved local driving experience over long highway stretches.

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

71.3 miles from Yuma, CO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 23m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 76 89.9 mi 1h 31m
West 8th Avenue 27.7 mi 34m
US Highway 34 21.2 mi 24m
Ralston Road 1.9 mi 3m
US Highway 6 1 mi 1m
South Ash Street 0.3 mi 1m
Sheridan Boulevard 0.2 mi <1m
Ammons Street <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 76 — 89.9 mi, about 1h 31m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Yuma, CO and Arvada, CO.

1

Start on South Ash Street

0.3 mi · 1 min · South Ash Street
2

Turn right onto US 34

28 mi · 34 min · West 8th Avenue
3

Continue on US 34

21 mi · 24 min · US Highway 34
4

Turn right onto I 76 Business; US 34 Spur

1.0 mi · 1 min · US Highway 6
Use the straight lane.
5

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 18 sec
6

Merge onto I 76

90 mi · 1 hr 31 min · I 76
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 26 sec
Exit 1B Toward CO 95: Sheridan Boulevard Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Turn right onto CO 95

0.2 mi · 25 sec · Sheridan Boulevard
9

Turn left onto Ralston Road

1.9 mi · 3 min · Ralston Road
Use the left lane.
10

Turn right onto Ammons Street

227 ft · 13 sec · Ammons Street
11

Turn left

41 ft · 3 sec
12

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

For this 2-hour and 14-minute drive covering 142.5 miles, flexibility is your advantage. Since it's a manageable day trip with a fuel cost around $22, you can depart whenever suits you best, though an early start might help you avoid any local traffic. The 'turn-heavy' nature means paying close attention to navigation is key, so ensure your GPS is set up before you leave Yuma. While there are no designated stops mentioned, plan to take a short break if you feel fatigued, perhaps around the halfway point. A specific tip for this route: be mindful of speed limit changes as you enter and exit the smaller communities along Highway 34 and Highway 6.

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 71.3 miles from Yuma, CO, or about 1h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 89.9 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 31 miles or 39m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 71.3 miles or 1h 23m 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 10m

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 Yuma, 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 Yuma, CO

This is one driving day of about 142.6 miles and 2h 38m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Yuma, 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 89.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Kersey, CO, CO

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Kersey, CO

71 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

Brush, CO

Fuel and coffee

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

Fort Morgan, CO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 71.3 miles from Yuma, 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 89.9 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

Home Plate Fort Morgan

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Fort Morgan, Colorado

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 61.1

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+19708674416

San Miguel Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Fort Morgan, Colorado

1.3 mi

Glassi Restaurant & Bar

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Brush, Colorado

1.5 mi

Home Plate Fort Morgan

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 61.1

Fort Morgan, Colorado

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+19708674416

Taco John's

3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 61.1

Fort Morgan, Colorado

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+19708673403

Visit website

San Miguel Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 61.1

Fort Morgan, Colorado

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+19704278848

Visit website

Taco Bell

3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 61.1

Fort Morgan, Colorado

Hours: 8 am–1 pm

+19705420320

Visit website

McDonald's

3.4 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 61.1

Fort Morgan, Colorado

Hours: Open 24 hours

+19708678833

Visit website

Sonic Drive-In

3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 61.1

Fort Morgan, Colorado

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+19708673200

Visit website

Glassi Restaurant & Bar

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $20 to $30 mile 50.9

Brush, Colorado

Hours: 10 am–10 pm

+19708427722

Visit website

Chef's Da Chinese Restaurant

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 61.1

Fort Morgan, Colorado

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+19708674000

Visit website

7Charge Charging Station

2.5 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 122.3

Commerce City, Colorado

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 122.3

Commerce City, Colorado

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

Near the end, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 132.4

Henderson, Colorado

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+18889982546

Visit website

7Charge Charging Station

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 132.4

Denver, Colorado

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18447112474

Visit website

Super Smash Rooms

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 142.6

Westminster, Colorado

Hours: 1–7 pm

+13035580726

Visit website

Water World

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 132.4

Federal Heights, Colorado

+13034277873

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 8

5 decision points cluster between mile 49.2 and 142.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
49.2 mi into trip | ~1h in | I 76 Business; US 34 Spur / US Highway 6

Turn right onto I 76 Business; US 34 Spur / US Highway 6

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
5
50.4 mi into trip | ~1h 2m in | I 76

Merge onto I 76

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
140.3 mi into trip | ~2h 33m 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
5
140.7 mi into trip | ~2h 34m in | Ralston Road

Turn left onto Ralston Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
5
142.6 mi into trip | ~2h 38m in

Turn left

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$21.49 one way

$42.97 round trip

$3.83/gal 25.4 MPG avg 50 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.05 $22.75 $45.50
premium $4.39 $24.67 $49.34
diesel $5.61 $31.48 $62.97

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$21

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$46–$71

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 49.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 42.8 0 $14.97 $6.84
Efficient EV 35.7 0 $12.48 $5.70
EV Truck/SUV 57 0 $19.96 $9.13

Gas CO2

50 kg

EV CO2

17 kg (66% 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

Yuma, CO

Late night in Yuma on Sunday

Local time

1:48 AM

MDT

Current temp

83°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Arvada, CO

Late night in Arvada on Sunday

Local time

1:48 AM

MDT

Current temp

46°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

37 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 38m 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 'turn-heavy local drive' for this 142.5-mile journey. With 0% highway share, this route emphasizes navigating through towns and local roads rather than high-speed cruising. The character of the drive will likely involve frequent adjustments in speed and direction as you transition between different local streets and state highways, including Highway 34 and Highway 6. While there isn't a specified longest uninterrupted stretch, the 'turn-heavy' profile suggests you'll be engaged with the road consistently, making it feel more like an exploration than a straight shot. This isn't a monotonous interstate grind; rather, it's a drive that keeps you actively involved.

79% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
12 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 89.9 mi on I 76.

How Hard Is This Drive?

3/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 76 and West 8th Avenue. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 49.2 miles in near I 76 Business; US 34 Spur / US Highway 6.

Driving Effort 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 2h 38m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 49.2 miles (I 76 Business; US 34 Spur / US Highway 6): Lane positioning matters here; at 50.4 miles (I 76): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 140.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

About the Cities

Arriving in Arvada, CO

Full guide →

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.

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 38m. Total distance: 142.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (79%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 89.9 miles on I 76. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.

The main spots that need attention: at 49.2 miles (I 76 Business; US 34 Spur / US Highway 6): Lane positioning matters here; at 50.4 miles (I 76): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 140.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

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