Origin
Arvada, CO
Night in Arvada on Tuesday
Local time
11:20 PM
MDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Arvada, CO to Buena Vista, CO
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
2h 38m
Distance
119.9 mi
193 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 28m
★
6 AM
2h 38m
8 AM
2h 59m
10 AM
2h 46m
12 PM
2h 43m
3 PM
2h 47m
5 PM
2h 58m
8 PM
2h 32m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Arvada, CO
Wikimedia Commons
Buena Vista, CO
RDNE Stock project
Trip Overview
The drive from Arvada, CO to Buena Vista, CO covers 119.9 miles and takes about 2h 38m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 285, I 70, CO 470 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 101.5 miles on US 285. At current regular gas prices, budget about $18.07 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
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
60 miles from Arvada, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 19m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
This is a 2h 38m highway drive covering 119.9 miles, with most of the trip on US 285 and I 70. The longest continuous stretch is about 101.5 miles on US 285.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 285 is the longest continuous segment at about 101.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 285 and I 70. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Ammons Street.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 119.9 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Ammons Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.9 miles (I 70): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 9.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Ammons Street
Turn right onto Ammons Street
Navigation decision point
5
2.9 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
I 70
Merge onto I 70
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
9.6 mi into trip
|
~13m in
Take the exit toward CO 470 East: Colorado Springs
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 260
Toward CO 470 East: Colorado Springs
5
10.3 mi into trip
|
~14m in
|
CO 470
Merge onto CO 470
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
15.3 mi into trip
|
~20m in
Take the exit toward US 285 South: Fairplay
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 5A
Toward US 285 South: Fairplay
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 285 | 101.5 mi | 2h 13m |
| I 70 | 6.7 mi | 7m |
| CO 470 | 5.1 mi | 5m |
| US 24 | 2.3 mi | 2m |
| Kipling Parkway | 1 mi | 1m |
| West 58th Avenue | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Ralston Road | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Kipling Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 285
— 101.5 mi, about 2h 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arvada, CO and Buena Vista, CO.
1
Start on this road
41 ft
·
5 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto Ammons Street
227 ft
·
9 sec
·
Ammons Street
3
Turn right onto Ralston Road
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Ralston Road
4
Continue on West 58th Avenue
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West 58th Avenue
5
Turn left onto Kipling Parkway
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Kipling Parkway
Use the left lane.
6
Continue on CO 391
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
Kipling Street
Use the left lane.
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
Toward I 70 West
8
Merge onto I 70
6.7 mi
·
7 min
·
I 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
50 sec
Exit 260
Toward CO 470 East: Colorado Springs
Use the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto CO 470
5.1 mi
·
5 min
·
CO 470
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 5A
Toward US 285 South: Fairplay
Use the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto US 285
101 mi
·
2 hr 13 min
·
US 285
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
At end of road, turn right onto US 24
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
US 24
14
Turn slight right onto Cottonwood Road
474 ft
·
13 sec
·
Cottonwood Road
15
Turn right onto East Main Street
151 ft
·
3 sec
·
East Main Street
16
Arrive at destination
East Main Street
Trip Plan
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 60 miles from Arvada, CO, or about 1h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 101.5 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 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 60 miles or 1h 19m 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 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Buena Vista, 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 119.9 miles and 2h 38m.
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 US 285 for about 101.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 60 mi from Arvada, CO · 1h 19m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
60 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 60 miles from Arvada, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 285 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 101.5 miles.
Arriving in Buena Vista, CO
The final approach into Buena Vista, 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 Buena Vista, CO.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.07 one way
$36.13 round trip
$3.83/gal
25.4 MPG avg
42 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.05 | $19.13 | $38.25 |
| premium | $4.39 | $20.74 | $41.48 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $26.47 | $52.94 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 42 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 36 | 0 | $12.59 | $5.76 |
| Efficient EV | 30 | 0 | $10.49 | $4.80 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 48 | 0 | $16.79 | $7.67 |
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 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.
Destination
Buena Vista, CO
Night in Buena Vista on Tuesday
Local time
11:20 PM
MDT
Current temp
62°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
16 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
2h 38m 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 Buena Vista, CO covers 119.9 miles and takes about 2h 38m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 285, I 70, CO 470. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 60 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 $18.07 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 119.9 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Ammons Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.9 miles (I 70): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 9.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Arvada, CO to Buena Vista, CO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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