Origin
Boulder, CO
Evening in Boulder on Sunday
Local time
5:15 PM
MDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Boulder, CO to Black Forest, CO
Drive Time
1h 51m
Distance
92.7 mi
149 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 43m
★
6 AM
1h 51m
8 AM
2h 7m
10 AM
1h 57m
12 PM
1h 55m
3 PM
1h 58m
5 PM
2h 7m
8 PM
1h 46m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Boulder, CO
Dmitriy Piskarev
Trip Overview
Spanning 92.7 miles through the Colorado Mountain West, this trip from Boulder to Black Forest is a straightforward journey typically taking about 1 hour and 51 minutes. Because of the manageable duration, it works perfectly as a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $14 for fuel to cover the distance. The route relies on a combination of the North Valley Highway, the Denver–Boulder Turnpike, and Shoup Road to transition from the northern front range area down toward the Black Forest. It is a practical drive that favors efficiency, making it an ideal choice for travelers looking to navigate between these two points with minimal fuss. Expect a functional trip that prioritizes moving you reliably between regions.
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
46.4 miles from Boulder, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 54m into the drive .
Drive Character
This drive is best described as a turn-heavy local experience that shifts gears as you progress. You will spend about 25% of your time on highways, with a significant 63-mile stretch along the North Valley Highway serving as the longest uninterrupted portion of your trip. While the highway segments offer a faster pace, the character of the road changes once you transition toward the local roads near your destination. Be prepared for a more technical driving feel as you navigate the turns that define the final approach. It is not an endless interstate grind; rather, it is a balanced mix that requires you to stay alert as the terrain and road types fluctuate throughout the 1 hour and 51 minutes behind the wheel.
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.
North Valley Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 63 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 early in the drive near Arapahoe Avenue.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 92.7 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: near the start (Arapahoe Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.8 miles (US 36 / Denver–Boulder Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 6.5 miles (US 36 / Denver–Boulder Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Arapahoe Avenue
Turn left onto Arapahoe Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
6
4.8 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
US 36 / Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36 / Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
6
6.5 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
US 36 / Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36 / Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
8
20 mi into trip
|
~25m in
|
US 36 / Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36 / Denver–Boulder Turnpike toward I 25: Denver, Fort Collins
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the none lane.
Toward I 25: Denver, Fort Collins
7
85 mi into trip
|
~1h 37m in
Take the exit toward Interquest Parkway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 153
Toward Interquest Parkway
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Boulder, CO to Black Forest, CO, road signs begin pointing toward Fort Collins along the way.
Fort Collins
20 mi in
|
~25m
|
via US 36
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Valley Highway | 63 mi | 1h 9m |
| Denver–Boulder Turnpike | 19.7 mi | 23m |
| Shoup Road | 4.3 mi | 7m |
| Interquest Parkway | 2.8 mi | 4m |
| 28th Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Arapahoe Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| I 25 | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| 19th Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
North Valley Highway
— 63 mi, about 1h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Boulder, CO and Black Forest, CO.
1
Start on this road
87 ft
·
6 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto 19th Street
143 ft
·
13 sec
·
19th Street
3
Turn left onto Arapahoe Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Arapahoe Avenue
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
4
Turn right onto US 36
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
28th Street
Use the none lane.
5
Turn straight onto US 36
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Use the none lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Use the none lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Use the none lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Use the none lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Use the none lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
2.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Use the none lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Use the none lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Toward I 25: Denver, Fort Collins
Use the none lane.
14
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
47 sec
Toward I 25 south: Denver
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 25
0.4 mi
·
33 sec
·
I 25
Toward I 25 south: Denver
16
Merge onto I 25; US 87
63 mi
·
1 hr 9 min
·
North Valley Highway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 153
Toward Interquest Parkway
Use the right lane.
18
Continue on Interquest Parkway
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
Interquest Parkway
Use the none lane.
19
Turn right onto Shoup Road
4.3 mi
·
7 min
·
Shoup Road
20
Turn left onto CR 189
82 ft
·
1 sec
·
Black Forest Road
21
Arrive at destination
CR 189
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility in your scheduling, though leaving during off-peak hours can help you avoid congestion common on major thoroughfares. Because there are no mandatory stops scheduled for this 92.7-mile route, you can easily complete the drive in one go without needing to plan for lengthy breaks. Keep in mind that the transition from the North Valley Highway to Shoup Road is where the drive becomes more localized, so keep your navigation handy during the final miles. Given the $14 fuel estimate, filling up before you leave Boulder ensures you won't have to worry about finding a station while navigating the turn-heavy sections near Black Forest. Use this freedom to tailor your departure time to suit your personal preferences.
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 46.4 miles from Boulder, CO, or about 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 63 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 46.4 miles or 54m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Black Forest, CO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Boulder, 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 Boulder, CO
This is one driving day of about 92.7 miles and 1h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Boulder, 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 North Valley Highway for about 63 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 46.4 mi from Boulder, CO · 54m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
46 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 46.4 miles from Boulder, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before North Valley Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 63 miles.
Arriving in Black Forest, CO
The final approach into Black Forest, 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 Black Forest, 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
$14.05 one way
$28.09 round trip
$3.85/gal
25.4 MPG avg
32 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.08 | $14.90 | $29.81 |
| premium | $4.43 | $16.18 | $32.36 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $20.59 | $41.19 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.38
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
(19.7 mi)
$1.38
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 32.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 27.8 | 0 | $9.73 | $4.45 |
| Efficient EV | 23.2 | 0 | $8.11 | $3.71 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 37.1 | 0 | $12.98 | $5.93 |
Gas CO2
32 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (66% 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
Black Forest, CO
Evening in Black Forest on Sunday
Local time
5:15 PM
MDT
Current temp
57°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
17 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 51m 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 Boulder, CO to Black Forest, CO covers 92.7 miles and takes about 1h 51m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are North Valley Highway, Denver–Boulder Turnpike, Shoup Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 46.4 miles from Boulder, CO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $14.05 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 92.7 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: near the start (Arapahoe Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.8 miles (US 36 / Denver–Boulder Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 6.5 miles (US 36 / Denver–Boulder Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Boulder, CO to Black Forest, CO, road signs begin pointing toward Fort Collins along the way.
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