Origin
Arvada, CO
Late night in Arvada on Wednesday
Local time
12:06 AM
MDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Arvada, CO to Alamosa, CO
Data updated 1 hour ago
Drive Time
4h 37m
Distance
242.8 mi
391 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$37
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 24m
★
6 AM
4h 38m
8 AM
5h 5m
10 AM
4h 47m
12 PM
4h 45m
3 PM
4h 49m
5 PM
5h 3m
8 PM
4h 30m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Arvada, CO
Wikimedia Commons
Alamosa, CO
RDNE Stock project
Trip Overview
The drive from Arvada, CO to Alamosa, CO covers 242.8 miles and takes about 4h 37m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on West 7th Street, North Valley Highway, John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 71.4 miles on West 7th Street. At current regular gas prices, budget about $36.58 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
121.4 miles from Arvada, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 15m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a 4h 37m drive with frequent turns across 242.8 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 32 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
West 7th Street is the longest continuous segment at about 71.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Allison Street.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 242.8 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 0.1 miles (Allison Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 6.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 22 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Allison Street
At end of road, turn right onto Allison Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
8
6.3 mi into trip
|
~11m in
Take the exit toward I 25: Fort Collins, Colorado Springs
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 274
Toward I 25: Fort Collins, Colorado Springs
9
6.5 mi into trip
|
~11m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 25 South: Washington Street, Colorado Springs
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 25 South: Washington Street, Colorado...
8
6.7 mi into trip
|
~11m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 25 South: Colorado Springs
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 25 South: Colorado Springs
7
120.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 15m in
Take the exit toward 13th Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 99B
Toward 13th Street
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| West 7th Street | 71.4 mi | 1h 27m |
| North Valley Highway | 64.9 mi | 1h 11m |
| John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway | 53.4 mi | 53m |
| Ronald Reagan Highway | 22.9 mi | 23m |
| North Freeway | 9.7 mi | 11m |
| Monument Valley Freeway | 8.8 mi | 10m |
| I 70 | 3 mi | 4m |
| I 25 Business | 2.8 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
West 7th Street
— 71.4 mi, about 1h 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arvada, CO and Alamosa, CO.
1
Start on this road
41 ft
·
5 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto Ammons Street
58 ft
·
7 sec
·
Ammons Street
3
Turn left
313 ft
·
25 sec
4
At end of road, turn right onto Allison Street
172 ft
·
13 sec
·
Allison Street
5
Turn left onto Ralston Road
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Ralston Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
6
Turn right onto CO 95
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Sheridan Boulevard
Use the right lane.
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Toward I 70 East
Use the right lane.
8
Merge onto I 70
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
I 70
Use the right lane.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
Exit 274
Toward I 25: Fort Collins, Colorado Springs
Use the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
Toward I 25 South: Washington Street, Colorado Springs
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward I 25 South: Colorado Springs
Use the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto Grand Army of the Republic Highway
0.2 mi
·
11 sec
·
Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Toward I 25 South
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward I 25 South: Colorado Springs
14
Merge onto I 25
65 mi
·
1 hr 11 min
·
North Valley Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 25
8.8 mi
·
10 min
·
Monument Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on I 25; US 24
0.2 mi
·
12 sec
·
Ronald Reagan Highway
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 25
23 mi
·
23 min
·
Ronald Reagan Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on I 25
13 mi
·
12 min
·
John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on I 25
2.6 mi
·
2 min
·
North Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 100B
Toward 29th Street
21
Merge onto I 25; US 50
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North Freeway
22
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
Exit 99B
Toward 13th Street
Use the slight right lane.
23
Continue on this road
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
this road
24
Merge onto I 25; US 50 Bus
6.1 mi
·
7 min
·
North Freeway
Use the straight lane.
25
Continue on I 25
41 mi
·
40 min
·
John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
26
Take the exit onto I 25 Business
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
I 25 Business
Exit 52
Toward South I 25 Business, US 160 West: Walsenburg, Alamosa
27
Turn right onto US 160
71 mi
·
1 hr 27 min
·
West 7th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
28
Continue on US 160; CO 17
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
Broadway Avenue
29
Continue on US 160; CO 17
521 ft
·
18 sec
·
Denver Avenue
30
Turn right onto Fourth Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Fourth Street
31
Turn right onto Ross Avenue
67 ft
·
1 sec
·
Ross Avenue
32
Arrive at destination
Ross Avenue
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 121.4 miles from Arvada, CO, or about 2h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 71.4 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 80 miles or 1h 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 121.4 miles or 2h 15m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Alamosa, CO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Arvada, 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 Arvada, CO
This is one driving day of about 242.8 miles and 4h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Arvada, 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 West 7th Street for about 71.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 121.4 mi from Arvada, CO · 2h 15m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
121 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 121.4 miles from Arvada, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before West 7th Street if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 71.4 miles.
Arriving in Alamosa, CO
The final approach into Alamosa, 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 Alamosa, 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
$36.58 one way
$73.17 round trip
$3.83/gal
25.4 MPG avg
85 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.05 | $38.73 | $77.47 |
| premium | $4.39 | $42.00 | $84.00 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $53.61 | $107.21 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 85 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 72.8 | 0 | $25.49 | $11.65 |
| Efficient EV | 60.7 | 0 | $21.25 | $9.71 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 97.1 | 1 | $33.99 | $15.54 |
Gas CO2
85 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Alamosa, CO
Late night in Alamosa on Wednesday
Local time
12:06 AM
MDT
Current temp
66°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
20 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 37m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Arvada, CO to Alamosa, CO covers 242.8 miles and takes about 4h 37m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are West 7th Street, North Valley Highway, John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 121.4 miles from Arvada, CO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $36.58 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 242.8 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 0.1 miles (Allison Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 6.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Arvada, CO to Alamosa, CO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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