Drive Time
17m
Distance
8.3 mi
13 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$1
one way
Photo: Cedric Fauntleroy
The drive from Applewood, CO to Lakewood, CO covers 8.3 miles and takes about 17m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on West 6th Avenue Freeway, West 20th Avenue, Simms Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 2 miles on West 6th Avenue Freeway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $1.26 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
4.2 miles from Applewood, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 10m into the drive .
Expect a 17m drive with frequent turns across 8.3 miles of local and secondary roads.
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
Total Climb
416 ft
Total Descent
476 ft
Highest Point
5,729 ft
~4.2 mi in
Elevation Range
289 ft
Notable High Points
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near CR 18 / Eldridge Street.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 17m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (CR 18 / Eldridge Street): Navigation decision point; at 1 miles (West 20th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 4.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto CR 18 / Eldridge Street
Navigation decision point
At end of road, turn left onto West 20th Avenue
Navigation decision point
Turn left toward US 6 East
Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward CO 121 South: Wadsworth Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Continue onto CO 121 / South Wadsworth Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| West 6th Avenue Freeway | 2 mi | 2m |
| West 20th Avenue | 1.5 mi | 3m |
| Simms Street | 1.5 mi | 3m |
| North Wadsworth Boulevard | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Eldridge Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Berry Road | 0.3 mi | 1m |
| Union Boulevard | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| Garden Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Applewood, CO and Lakewood, CO.
Start on Garden Road
Continue on Berry Road
Turn right onto CR 18
At end of road, turn left onto West 20th Avenue
Turn left onto West 20th Avenue
Turn right onto Simms Street
Continue on Union Boulevard
Turn left
Merge onto US 6
Take the exit
Turn slight right onto CO 121
Continue on CO 121
Arrive at destination
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.
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 8.3 miles or 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 4.2 miles or 10m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lakewood, CO than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Applewood, 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 Applewood, CO
This is one driving day of about 8.3 miles and 17m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 4.2 mi from Applewood, CO · 10m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
4 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.
A short stop after about 8.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 4.2 miles from Applewood, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Lakewood, 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 Lakewood, CO.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$1.26 one way
$2.52 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.08 | $1.33 | $2.67 |
| premium | $4.43 | $1.45 | $2.90 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $1.84 | $3.69 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$26–$51
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 2.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 2.5 | 0 | $0.87 | $0.40 |
| Efficient EV | 2.1 | 0 | $0.73 | $0.33 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 3.3 | 0 | $1.16 | $0.53 |
Gas CO2
3 kg
EV CO2
1 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Afternoon in Applewood on Saturday
Local time
4:49 PM
MDT
Current temp
63°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Afternoon in Lakewood on Saturday
Local time
4:49 PM
MDT
Current temp
64°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
64°F
Wheat Ridge, CO
4 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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