Origin
Arvada, CO
Evening in Arvada on Sunday
Local time
7:36 PM
MDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Arvada, CO to Denver, CO
Drive Time
20m
Distance
10.2 mi
16 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 19m
★
6 AM
0h 21m
8 AM
0h 24m
10 AM
0h 22m
12 PM
0h 21m
3 PM
0h 22m
5 PM
0h 24m
8 PM
0h 19m
★
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Arvada, CO
RDNE Stock project
Denver, CO
MINEIA MARTINS
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick commute between Arvada and Denver, this 10.2-mile journey is a straightforward trip that takes about 20 minutes to complete. It serves perfectly as a simple day trip, requiring no overnight stays or complex logistics. You can expect to spend about $1 on fuel, making it an incredibly economical way to travel within the Mountain West region. Navigating this route involves a series of local roads, specifically Ammons Street, Allison Street, and Ralston Road. Since there is no highway driving involved, it is best suited for those who prefer navigating city streets over high-speed transit.
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
5.1 miles from Arvada, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 10m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you engaged with your surroundings rather than a monotonous interstate grind. With a highway share of 0%, this route relies entirely on surface streets where you will need to stay alert for frequent turns. The longest stretch you will encounter is 0 miles on Ammons Street, emphasizing the stop-and-go nature of this path. You won't find any long, uninterrupted stretches here, so be prepared for a drive that demands consistent attention to local traffic patterns. It is a practical, functional transit route through the heart of the region.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Ammons Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Arvada, CO to Denver, CO is easy. At 20m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Arvada, CO to Denver, CO is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Ammons Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Allison Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Ralston Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Sheridan Boulevard | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 70 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 25 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 25 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Grand Army of the Republic Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
Ammons Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arvada, CO and Denver, CO.
1
Start on the route
43 ft
·
5 sec
·
the route
2
Turn right onto Ammons Street
59 ft
·
7 sec
·
Ammons Street
3
Turn left
315 ft
·
25 sec
4
At the end of the road, turn right onto Allison Street
174 ft
·
14 sec
·
Allison Street
5
Turn left onto Ralston Road
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Ralston Road
6
Turn right onto Sheridan Boulevard
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Sheridan Boulevard
7
Take the ramp slight right toward I 70 East
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
I 70 East
8
Merge slight left
3.0 mi
·
4 min
9
Take the exit slight right toward I 25: Fort Collins, Colorado Springs
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
I 25: Fort Collins, Colorado Springs
10
Keep slight right to continue on I 25 South: Washington Street, Colorado Springs
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
·
I 25 South: Washington Street, Colorado Springs
11
Keep slight right to continue on I 25 South: Colorado Springs
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
I 25 South: Colorado Springs
12
Merge slight left onto Grand Army of the Republic Highway
0.2 mi
·
12 sec
·
Grand Army of the Republic Highway
13
Keep slight right to continue on 38th Avenue, Park Avenue, Downtown
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
38th Avenue, Park Avenue, Downtown
14
Keep slight right to continue on Park Avenue, Downtown
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
·
Park Avenue, Downtown
15
Continue on Park Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Park Avenue
16
Turn straight onto Park Avenue West
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Park Avenue West
17
Continue on West 22nd Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
West 22nd Street
18
Turn right onto North Broadway
1.0 mi
·
3 min
·
North Broadway
19
Turn left onto East 14th Avenue
0.1 mi
·
30 sec
·
East 14th Avenue
20
Turn left
358 ft
·
28 sec
21
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick 20-minute trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though avoiding peak traffic hours will always make your journey smoother. You will not need to plan for any stops given the short distance, allowing you to head directly to your destination. Keep your fuel budget to around $1 to account for the trip, and ensure your vehicle is ready for city-style driving. A helpful tip for this specific route is to stay focused on your navigation apps or signage, as the reliance on local roads like Ralston Road requires more attention to turns than a standard highway route would.
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 5.1 miles from Arvada, CO, or about 10m into the drive.
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 10.2 miles or 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 5.1 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 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Denver, 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 10.2 miles and 20m.
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.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 5.1 mi from Arvada, CO · 10m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
5 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 10.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 5.1 miles from Arvada, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Denver, CO
The final approach into Denver, 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 Denver, 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
$1.55 one way
$3.09 round trip
$3.85/gal
25.4 MPG avg
4 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.08 | $1.64 | $3.28 |
| premium | $4.43 | $1.78 | $3.56 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $2.27 | $4.53 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$27–$52
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 3.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 75% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 3.1 | 0 | $1.07 | $0.49 |
| Efficient EV | 2.6 | 0 | $0.89 | $0.41 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 4.1 | 0 | $1.43 | $0.65 |
Gas CO2
4 kg
EV CO2
1 kg (75% 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
Denver, CO
Evening in Denver on Sunday
Local time
7:36 PM
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
1 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
20m 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 Arvada, CO to Denver, CO covers 10.2 miles and takes about 20m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Ammons Street, Allison Street, Ralston Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 5.1 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 $1.55 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.
The drive from Arvada, CO to Denver, CO is easy. At 20m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Arvada, CO to Denver, CO is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Arvada, CO to Denver, CO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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