Trip from Yuma, 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 56m

Distance

156.6 mi

252 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$24

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 33 min

4 AM

2h 46m ★

6 AM

2h 57m

8 AM

3h 19m

10 AM

3h 5m

12 PM

3h 3m

3 PM

3h 6m

5 PM

3h 18m

8 PM

2h 50m

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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Yuma, CO

Wikimedia Commons

Centennial, CO

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This straightforward 156.5-mile drive from Yuma to Centennial, Colorado, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 2 hours and 28 minutes. You'll navigate using local roads like West 8th Avenue and Highway 34, eventually merging onto Highway 6 for parts of the journey. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $24, offering a budget-friendly option for traversing the Mountain West region. Given its manageable duration and distance, this route is ideal for a day trip, allowing for flexibility in your schedule without the need for an overnight stay. It's a practical choice for connecting these two Colorado communities.

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

78.3 miles from Yuma, CO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 29m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 76	73.2 mi	1h 13m
West 8th Avenue	27.7 mi	34m
US Highway 34	21.2 mi	24m
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
US Highway 6	1 mi	1m

Longest stretch: I 76 — 73.2 mi, about 1h 13m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on South Ash Street

0.3 mi · 1 min · South Ash Street

Turn right onto US 34

28 mi · 34 min · West 8th Avenue

Continue on US 34

21 mi · 24 min · US Highway 34

Turn right onto I 76 Business; US 34 Spur

1.0 mi · 1 min · US Highway 6

Use the straight lane.

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 18 sec

Merge onto I 76

73 mi · 1 hr 13 min · I 76

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

1.0 mi · 2 min

Exit 18 Toward E470 Toll South: Limon Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto E470

6.9 mi · 6 min · E-470

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 17 sec

Exit 28 Toward Denver International Airport, Pena Boulevard Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

0.7 mi · 1 min

Exit 28B Toward Peña Boulevard West Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto Peña Boulevard

6.6 mi · 8 min · Peña Boulevard

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 70

0.1 mi · 8 sec · Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway

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.

Keep slight left at fork

1.3 mi · 2 min

Exit 282 Toward I 225 South: Aurora, Colorado Springs

Continue on I 225

11 mi · 12 min · I 225

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 33 sec

Toward I 25 South: Colorado Springs Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 12 sec

Merge onto I 25

3.3 mi · 3 min · South Valley Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 26 sec

Exit 196 Toward Dry Creek Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn right onto CR 46

0.2 mi · 21 sec · East Dry Creek Road

Turn left onto South Chester Street

0.1 mi · 30 sec · South Chester Street

Use the left lane.

Turn left onto East Panorama Circle

0.1 mi · 39 sec · East Panorama Circle

Turn left

133 ft · 11 sec

Turn right

472 ft · 34 sec

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

With a total duration of just under 2.5 hours, this 156.5-mile trip from Yuma to Centennial offers plenty of flexibility. You can easily depart in the morning and arrive by midday, or opt for a leisurely afternoon drive. Since it's a shorter route with a low highway percentage, plan for more frequent, brief stops if needed, perhaps to grab a snack or stretch your legs at a local town along Highway 34 or 6. The fuel cost is estimated at a reasonable $24, so keeping your tank topped up won't be a major concern. A key tip for this turn-heavy local drive is to stay attentive to posted speed limits and any changes in road conditions as you transition between different local routes.

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 78.3 miles from Yuma, CO, or about 1h 29m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 73.2 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 34 miles or 42m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 78.3 miles or 1h 29m 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 21m

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 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 156.6 miles and 2h 56m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 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 73.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in and county seat of Adams County, Colorado, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Brighton, CO

78 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 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Fort Morgan, CO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 78.3 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 73.2 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

Mariana's Mexican Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Wiggins, Colorado

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 78.2

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+19704837278

Visit website

Fajitas Mexican Restaurant

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Wiggins, Colorado

1.1 mi

La Familia restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Aurora, Colorado

2.1 mi

Mariana's Mexican Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 78.2

Wiggins, Colorado

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+19704837278

Visit website

Fajitas Mexican Restaurant

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 78.2

Wiggins, Colorado

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+19704837262

La Familia restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 145.3

Aurora, Colorado

Hours: 9 am–8 pm

+17205243411

Old Town Hot Pot

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $20 to $30 mile 145.3

Aurora, Colorado

Hours: 11:30 am–9:30 pm

+13036580870

Visit website

Glassi Restaurant & Bar

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour $20 to $30 mile 55.9

Brush, Colorado

Hours: 10 am–10 pm

+19708427722

Visit website

VICTOR'S SUSHI

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 55.9

Brush, Colorado

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+19708427740

Carrillo Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 55.9

Brush, Colorado

Hours: 10 am–1:30 pm

+19708424737

Wendy's

3.3 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour Inexpensiv mile 55.9

Brush, Colorado

Hours: 10 am–11 pm

+19708425959

Visit website

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 156.5

Greenwood Village, Colorado

+13038060444

Visit website

Green Valley Ranch East Park

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 134.1

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 20

5 decision points cluster between mile 123.6 and 139.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

123.6 mi into trip | ~2h 15m 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

131.5 mi into trip | ~2h 24m 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...

131.7 mi into trip | ~2h 24m 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

139.1 mi into trip | ~2h 33m 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, ...

139.5 mi into trip | ~2h 34m 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

$23.59 one way

$47.19 round trip

$3.83/gal 25.4 MPG avg 55 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.05	$24.98	$49.96
premium	$4.39	$27.09	$54.18
diesel	$5.61	$34.58	$69.15

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

$24

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$49–$74

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 54.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	47	$16.44	$7.52
Efficient EV	39.2	$13.70	$6.26
EV Truck/SUV	62.6	$21.92	$10.02

Gas CO2

55 kg

EV CO2

18 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 18, 2026

Origin

Yuma, CO

Late night in Yuma on Sunday

Local time

1:54 AM

MDT

Current temp

58°F

Sunny

NW 15 to 20 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Red Flag Warning

Red Flag Warning issued April 18 at 9:19AM MDT until April 18 at 7:00PM MDT by NWS Goodland KS

Freeze Watch

Freeze Watch issued April 18 at 7:53AM MDT until April 19 at 8:00AM MDT by NWS Pueblo CO

Destination

Centennial, CO

Late night in Centennial on Sunday

Local time

1:54 AM

MDT

Current temp

54°F

Sunny

N 7 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Red Flag Warning

Red Flag Warning issued April 18 at 9:19AM MDT until April 18 at 7:00PM MDT by NWS Goodland KS

Freeze Watch

Freeze Watch issued April 18 at 7:53AM MDT until April 19 at 8:00AM MDT by NWS Pueblo CO

44°F

Brighton, CO

78 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

4 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 56m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

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 156.5-mile journey, with no segments on major highways. This means your driving experience will involve frequent navigation through local streets and two-lane highways, rather than long stretches of high-speed interstate. The absence of a significant highway share suggests a pace dictated by local traffic and road conditions. While there's no specified longest continuous stretch, the profile indicates a route where you'll be actively engaged with the road, making frequent adjustments. This drive is less about open-road cruising and more about mindful navigation.

68% 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: 73.2 mi on I 76.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 76 and West 8th Avenue. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 123.6 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 20 significant decision points across 156.6 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 123.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 131.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 131.7 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 Yuma, 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

123.6 mi in | ~2h 15m

Denver International Airport

131.5 mi in | ~2h 24m

Peña Boulevard West

131.7 mi in | ~2h 24m

Colorado Springs

139.1 mi in | ~2h 33m

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 56m. Total distance: 156.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (68%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 73.2 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.

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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Trip from Yuma, CO to Centennial, CO

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

Mariana's Mexican Restaurant

Mariana's Mexican Restaurant

Fajitas Mexican Restaurant

La Familia restaurant

Old Town Hot Pot

Glassi Restaurant & Bar

VICTOR'S SUSHI

Carrillo Restaurant

Wendy's

Circle K Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Tesla Supercharger

7Charge Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

7Charge Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Electrify America Charging Station

Museum of Outdoor Arts

Green Valley Ranch East Park

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Yuma, CO

Centennial, CO

Same local time

4 degrees cooler at arrival

2h 56m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Arriving in Centennial, CO

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

How do I pay the tolls on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

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