Origin
Acres Green, CO
Evening in Acres Green on Sunday
Local time
5:15 PM
MDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Acres Green, CO to Boulder, CO
Drive Time
1h
Distance
45.5 mi
73 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 56m
★
6 AM
1h 1m
8 AM
1h 10m
10 AM
1h 4m
12 PM
1h 3m
3 PM
1h 5m
5 PM
1h 10m
8 PM
0h 58m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Acres Green, CO
Sam McCool
Boulder, CO
Dmitriy Piskarev
Trip Overview
Spanning 45.5 miles, this journey from Acres Green to Boulder is a straightforward commute across the Mountain West that typically takes about one hour. You will spend roughly 43% of your time on highways, utilizing a combination of the South Valley Highway, the Denver–Boulder Turnpike, and East County Line Road. Given the short duration, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight logistics. With a modest fuel budget of just $7, it is an economical way to navigate between these two Colorado hubs. Whether you are heading out for business or a quick visit, the drive is functional and efficient, allowing you to reach your destination without significant travel fatigue.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
22.8 miles from Acres Green, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 31m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip features a mixed driving profile that transitions from faster highway travel to local road navigation. You will encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 21.2 miles while cruising along the South Valley Highway, which makes up a significant portion of the experience. As you move toward the Denver–Boulder Turnpike, the pace of the drive shifts, requiring you to adjust to changing traffic flows. Because highway driving accounts for nearly half of your time on the road, you can expect a blend of steady, high-speed movement and more measured driving as you navigate the final segments. It is a practical route that balances quick transit with the necessary transition into local Boulder roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
South Valley Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 21.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near CR 50 / East County Line Road.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 45.5 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 0.6 miles (CR 50 / East County Line Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 23.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 26.3 miles (US 36 / Denver–Boulder Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0.6 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
CR 50 / East County Line Road
At end of road, turn right onto CR 50 / East County Line Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
8
23.7 mi into trip
|
~32m in
Take the exit toward US 36 West: Westminster, Boulder
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 217A
Toward US 36 West: Westminster, Boulder
6
26.3 mi into trip
|
~36m in
|
US 36 / Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36 / Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
6
28 mi into trip
|
~38m in
|
US 36 / Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36 / Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
6
30.3 mi into trip
|
~40m in
|
US 36 / Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36 / Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South Valley Highway | 21.2 mi | 26m |
| Denver–Boulder Turnpike | 19.8 mi | 23m |
| East County Line Road | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| 28th Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Arapahoe Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Acres Green Drive | 0.6 mi | 2m |
| 19th Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
South Valley Highway
— 21.2 mi, about 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Acres Green, CO and Boulder, CO.
1
Start on Acres Green Drive
0.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Acres Green Drive
Use the none lane.
2
At end of road, turn right onto CR 50
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
East County Line Road
Use the none lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 25 North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Merge onto I 25
21 mi
·
26 min
·
South Valley Highway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
51 sec
Exit 217A
Toward US 36 West: Westminster, Boulder
Use the slight left lane.
6
Merge onto US 36
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Use the none lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Use the none lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Use the none lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Use the none lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Use the none lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Use the none lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Use the none lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Use the none lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto US 36
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on US 36
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
28th Street
Use the none lane.
16
Turn left onto Arapahoe Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Arapahoe Avenue
Use the left lane.
17
Turn right onto 19th Street
143 ft
·
11 sec
·
19th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Turn left
87 ft
·
4 sec
19
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short, one-hour drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. However, keeping an eye on traffic patterns along the Denver–Boulder Turnpike is a smart move, as congestion can easily impact your travel time during peak hours. You likely won't need any formal stops given the distance, but having $7 set aside for fuel ensures you start your day with a full tank. Make sure to stay alert as you exit the highway sections and transition onto East County Line Road, where the driving environment changes. Use this quick transit to your advantage by planning your arrival to avoid the busiest parts of the day, ensuring a smooth experience from start to finish.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 22.8 miles from Acres Green, CO, or about 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 21.2 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 45.5 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 22.8 miles or 31m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Boulder, CO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Acres Green, 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 Acres Green, CO
This is one driving day of about 45.5 miles and 1h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Acres Green, CO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on South Valley Highway for about 21.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 22.8 mi from Acres Green, CO · 31m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
23 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 45.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 22.8 miles from Acres Green, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Boulder, CO
The final approach into Boulder, CO usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Boulder, CO.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$6.89 one way
$13.79 round trip
$3.85/gal
25.4 MPG avg
16 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.08 | $7.32 | $14.63 |
| premium | $4.43 | $7.94 | $15.88 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $10.11 | $20.22 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.38
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
(19.8 mi)
$1.38
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
$7
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$33–$58
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 15.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 13.7 | 0 | $4.78 | $2.18 |
| Efficient EV | 11.4 | 0 | $3.98 | $1.82 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 18.2 | 0 | $6.37 | $2.91 |
Gas CO2
16 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (69% 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
Boulder, CO
Evening in Boulder on Sunday
Local time
5:15 PM
MDT
Current temp
40°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
2 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
1h 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Acres Green, CO to Boulder, CO covers 45.5 miles and takes about 1h without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are South Valley Highway, Denver–Boulder Turnpike, East County Line Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 22.8 miles from Acres Green, CO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $6.89 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 45.5 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles (CR 50 / East County Line Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 23.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 26.3 miles (US 36 / Denver–Boulder Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Acres Green, CO to Boulder, CO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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