Origin
Berthoud, CO
Evening in Berthoud on Tuesday
Local time
7:55 PM
MDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Berthoud, CO to Aurora, CO
Data updated 5 hours ago
Drive Time
1h 2m
Distance
52 mi
84 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 58m
★
6 AM
1h 3m
8 AM
1h 13m
10 AM
1h 6m
12 PM
1h 5m
3 PM
1h 7m
5 PM
1h 12m
8 PM
1h 0m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Berthoud, CO
ThisIsEngineering
Aurora, CO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 52-mile journey from Berthoud, CO, to Aurora, CO, is a straightforward day trip, taking about 1 hour and 2 minutes. Primarily utilizing the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway and North Valley Highway, you'll experience an 11% highway share, suggesting a good balance of faster travel and local roads. With a fuel cost estimated at $8, this short drive is budget-friendly. Both locations are situated in the Mountain West region, so you won't be crossing any major geographical divides. It's an easy drive, perfect for a quick transit or a leisurely afternoon trip without the need for an overnight stay.
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
26 miles from Berthoud, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 28m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' profile for this 52-mile route. While 11% of your journey will be on highways, much of the drive will involve navigating local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 28.9 miles on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, offering a period of more consistent travel before you transition back to more frequent turns. This route isn't a monotonous interstate cruise; rather, it’s a more engaging drive that requires your attention to road changes and turns as you make your way between Berthoud and Aurora.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 28.9 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 0.3 miles in near CO 56 / Mountain Avenue.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 52 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 0.3 miles (CO 56 / Mountain Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 28.6 miles (I 25 / North Valley Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 38.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.3 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
CO 56 / Mountain Avenue
Turn left onto CO 56 / Mountain Avenue
Navigation decision point
6
28.6 mi into trip
|
~31m in
|
I 25 / North Valley Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 25 / North Valley Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
38.2 mi into trip
|
~43m in
Take the exit toward I 270 East: Aurora, Limon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 217B
Toward I 270 East: Aurora, Limon
8
47.9 mi into trip
|
~56m in
Take the exit toward I 225 South: Aurora, Colorado Springs
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 282
Toward I 225 South: Aurora, Colorado Springs
7
51.1 mi into trip
|
~1h in
Take the exit toward CO 30: 6th Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 9
Toward CO 30: 6th Avenue
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Berthoud, CO and Aurora, CO, road signs point toward Limon and Colorado Springs.
Limon
38.2 mi in
|
~43m
Colorado Springs
47.9 mi in
|
~56m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 28.9 mi | 31m |
| North Valley Highway | 10.2 mi | 12m |
| East Highway 56 | 3.8 mi | 4m |
| Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway | 2.5 mi | 3m |
| I 225 | 2.2 mi | 2m |
| East County Road 8 | 1 mi | 1m |
| East 6th Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Mountain Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 28.9 mi, about 31m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Berthoud, CO and Aurora, CO.
1
Start on Lake Avenue
335 ft
·
16 sec
·
Lake Avenue
2
Turn right onto North 4th Street
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
·
North 4th Street
3
Turn left onto CO 56
0.3 mi
·
57 sec
·
Mountain Avenue
4
Enter roundabout onto CO 56
99 ft
·
5 sec
·
East County Road 8
5
Continue on CO 56
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
East County Road 8
6
Continue on CO 56
3.8 mi
·
4 min
·
East Highway 56
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Toward I 25 South: Denver
8
Merge onto I 25
22 mi
·
22 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 25
0.6 mi
·
36 sec
·
North Valley Highway
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 25
8.8 mi
·
10 min
·
North Valley Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 25
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
North Valley Highway
12
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 217B
Toward I 270 East: Aurora, Limon
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
13
Merge onto I 270
6.7 mi
·
8 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 70
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
1 min
Exit 282
Toward I 225 South: Aurora, Colorado Springs
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on I 225
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
I 225
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 9
Toward CO 30: 6th Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
18
Turn right onto CO 30
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
·
East 6th Avenue
Use the right lane.
19
Turn right onto Vaughn Street
257 ft
·
12 sec
·
Vaughn Street
20
Turn right onto North Zion Street
509 ft
·
27 sec
·
North Zion Street
21
Turn left onto North Vaughn Street
0.2 mi
·
43 sec
·
North Vaughn Street
22
Arrive at destination
North Vaughn Street
Trip Plan
Given the short 1-hour duration and 52-mile distance, this route offers plenty of flexibility. You can easily depart on your own schedule without worrying about splitting the drive. With no designated stops included in the data, plan for your own breaks as needed, perhaps before you depart Berthoud or closer to your Aurora destination. The estimated fuel cost is a modest $8, so refueling shouldn't be a major concern. Be mindful of the 'turn-heavy' nature of the drive; paying close attention to navigation, especially on the local road segments, will be key to a smooth trip.
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 26 miles from Berthoud, CO, or about 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 28.9 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 52 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 26 miles or 28m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Aurora, CO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Berthoud, 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 Berthoud, CO
This is one driving day of about 52 miles and 1h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Berthoud, 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 Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for about 28.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 26 mi from Berthoud, CO · 28m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
26 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 52 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 26 miles from Berthoud, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Aurora, CO
The final approach into Aurora, 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 Aurora, 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
$7.83 one way
$15.67 round trip
$3.83/gal
25.4 MPG avg
18 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.05 | $8.30 | $16.59 |
| premium | $4.39 | $9.00 | $17.99 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $11.48 | $22.96 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$8
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$33–$58
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 18.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 15.6 | 0 | $5.46 | $2.50 |
| Efficient EV | 13 | 0 | $4.55 | $2.08 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 20.8 | 0 | $7.28 | $3.33 |
Gas CO2
18 kg
EV CO2
6 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
Aurora, CO
Evening in Aurora on Tuesday
Local time
7:55 PM
MDT
Current temp
47°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
4 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
1h 2m 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 Berthoud, CO to Aurora, CO covers 52 miles and takes about 1h 2m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, North Valley Highway, East Highway 56. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 26 miles from Berthoud, CO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $7.83 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 is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 52 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 0.3 miles (CO 56 / Mountain Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 28.6 miles (I 25 / North Valley Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 38.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Berthoud, CO and Aurora, CO, road signs point toward Limon and Colorado Springs.
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