Origin
Aurora, CO
Evening in Aurora on Sunday
Local time
6:22 PM
MDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Aurora, CO to Denver, CO
Drive Time
23m
Distance
9.7 mi
16 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$1
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 22m
★
6 AM
0h 24m
8 AM
0h 28m
10 AM
0h 25m
12 PM
0h 25m
3 PM
0h 25m
5 PM
0h 27m
8 PM
0h 22m
★
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Aurora, CO
Raul Kozenevski
Denver, CO
MINEIA MARTINS
Trip Overview
If you are looking to travel from Aurora to Denver, you are in for a quick, 15.3-mile trip that typically takes about 27 minutes. This short commute is entirely local, meaning you won’t be spending time on major highways, which keeps the experience straightforward and manageable. Budgeting just $2 for fuel makes this an incredibly economical excursion. Since the entire drive is within the Mountain West region, the transit feels familiar and consistent. You can easily complete this journey in a single day, as it is designed for efficiency rather than a long-haul adventure. Whether you are heading into the city for business or a quick visit, this route offers a simple, direct connection between the two Colorado cities.
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
4.8 miles from Aurora, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 10m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy, local experience rather than a high-speed interstate cruise, as this route features zero percent highway travel. You will navigate through city streets using North Zion Street, Vaughn Street, and East 6th Avenue to reach your destination. Because the roads are local, there is no significant 'longest stretch' to speak of, with zero miles of uninterrupted highway driving. Behind the wheel, you should be prepared for frequent stops and turns that define this urban transit. This is a practical, utilitarian drive that prioritizes navigation through local infrastructure over open-road cruising.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
East 6th Avenue is the longest continuous segment at about 3.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near North Zion Street.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 9.7 miles you will encounter 14 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: at 0.2 miles (North Zion Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 7 miles (CO 2 / North Colorado Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.1 miles (East 13th Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
North Zion Street
At end of road, turn right onto North Zion Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
5
7 mi into trip
|
~15m in
|
CO 2 / North Colorado Boulevard
Turn right onto CO 2 / North Colorado Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
7.1 mi into trip
|
~16m in
|
East 13th Avenue
Turn left onto East 13th Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
9.5 mi into trip
|
~22m in
|
Sherman Street
Turn right onto Sherman Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
9.6 mi into trip
|
~23m in
At end of road, turn right
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East 6th Avenue | 3.5 mi | 6m |
| East 13th Avenue | 2.4 mi | 6m |
| East Hale Parkway | 1 mi | 2m |
| East Lowry Boulevard | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| East 8th Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| North Uinta Way | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| North Monaco Street Parkway | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| North Vaughn Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
East 6th Avenue
— 3.5 mi, about 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Aurora, CO and Denver, CO.
1
Start on North Vaughn Street
0.2 mi
·
45 sec
·
North Vaughn Street
2
At end of road, turn right onto North Zion Street
509 ft
·
26 sec
·
North Zion Street
3
Turn left onto Vaughn Street
257 ft
·
15 sec
·
Vaughn Street
4
Turn right onto CO 30
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
East 6th Avenue
5
Continue on East Lowry Boulevard
0.5 mi
·
52 sec
·
East Lowry Boulevard
6
Enter roundabout onto East Lowry Boulevard
170 ft
·
3 sec
·
East Lowry Boulevard
7
Continue on East Lowry Boulevard
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
·
East Lowry Boulevard
8
Enter roundabout onto North Uinta Way
55 ft
·
1 sec
·
North Uinta Way
9
Continue on North Uinta Way
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
·
North Uinta Way
10
Enter roundabout onto East 6th Avenue
174 ft
·
4 sec
·
East 6th Avenue
11
Continue on East 6th Avenue
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
East 6th Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
12
Turn right onto North Monaco Street Parkway
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
·
North Monaco Street Parkway
13
Turn left onto East 8th Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East 8th Avenue
14
Turn slight right onto East Hale Parkway
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
East Hale Parkway
Use the left lane.
15
Turn right onto CO 2
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
North Colorado Boulevard
Use the right lane.
16
Turn left onto East 13th Avenue
2.4 mi
·
6 min
·
East 13th Avenue
Use the left lane.
17
Turn right onto Sherman Street
0.1 mi
·
33 sec
·
Sherman Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
At end of road, turn right
298 ft
·
21 sec
19
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a brief 27-minute trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though avoiding peak traffic hours is always a smart move. You won't need to plan for any stops given the short distance, allowing you to head straight to your destination without interruption. Keep in mind that because you are relying on local streets like East 6th Avenue, traffic patterns can shift quickly, so check your navigation app before you pull out of the driveway. With fuel costs estimated at just $2, you don’t need to worry about complex refueling logistics. Simply enjoy the ease of a drive that gets you from Aurora to Denver in under half an hour.
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 4.8 miles from Aurora, CO, or about 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 3.5 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 9.7 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 4.8 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 19m
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 Aurora, 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 Aurora, CO
This is one driving day of about 9.7 miles and 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Aurora, 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 East 6th Avenue for about 3.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 4.8 mi from Aurora, 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 9.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 4.8 miles from Aurora, 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
$1.47 one way
$2.94 round trip
$3.85/gal
25.4 MPG avg
3 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.08 | $1.56 | $3.12 |
| premium | $4.43 | $1.69 | $3.39 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $2.16 | $4.31 |
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: 3.4 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 | 2.9 | 0 | $1.02 | $0.47 |
| Efficient EV | 2.4 | 0 | $0.85 | $0.39 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 3.9 | 0 | $1.36 | $0.62 |
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.
Destination
Denver, CO
Evening in Denver on Sunday
Local time
6:22 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
23m 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 Aurora, CO to Denver, CO covers 9.7 miles and takes about 23m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are East 6th Avenue, East 13th Avenue, East Hale Parkway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 4.8 miles from Aurora, CO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $1.47 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 9.7 miles you will encounter 14 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: at 0.2 miles (North Zion Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 7 miles (CO 2 / North Colorado Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.1 miles (East 13th Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Aurora, CO to Denver, CO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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