Origin
Boulder, CO
Night in Boulder on Tuesday
Local time
10:51 PM
MDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Boulder, CO to Lakewood, CO
Data updated 3 hours ago
Drive Time
43m
Distance
28.6 mi
46 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
EV Charging
Excellent
9 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 40m
★
6 AM
0h 43m
8 AM
0h 51m
10 AM
0h 46m
12 PM
0h 45m
3 PM
0h 46m
5 PM
0h 50m
8 PM
0h 41m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Boulder, CO
Wikimedia Commons
Lakewood, CO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This straightforward 28.6-mile journey from Boulder to Lakewood, Colorado, is an easy 43-minute drive, making it a perfect day trip. You'll navigate primarily via the Denver–Boulder Turnpike, North Wadsworth Boulevard, and Sheridan Boulevard, with about half of the route on highways. Given the short distance and modest fuel cost of around $4, there's no need to split this drive or book an overnight stay. The entire trip stays within the Mountain West region, offering a convenient connection between two Colorado communities.
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
14.3 miles from Boulder, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 18m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a mixed drive on this route, with 54% of it on highways. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 14.9 miles along the Denver–Boulder Turnpike. This segment offers a taste of faster-paced highway driving before transitioning to more local roads like North Wadsworth Boulevard and Sheridan Boulevard. The character of the drive shifts as you move from the more open turnpike to the more developed urban streets leading into Lakewood.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Denver–Boulder Turnpike is the longest continuous segment at about 14.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. 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
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 28.6 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 16.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.6 miles (CO 95 / Sheridan Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 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
16.3 mi into trip
|
~20m in
Take the exit toward CO 95 South: Sheridan Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward CO 95 South: Sheridan Boulevard
5
16.6 mi into trip
|
~21m in
|
CO 95 / Sheridan Boulevard
Turn right onto CO 95 / Sheridan Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
22 mi into trip
|
~30m in
Take the exit toward CO 121: Wadsworth Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 1A
Toward CO 121: Wadsworth Boulevard
7
22.6 mi into trip
|
~31m in
Keep slight left at fork toward CO 121 South: Wadsworth Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / right lanes.
Toward CO 121 South: Wadsworth Boulevard
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Denver–Boulder Turnpike | 14.9 mi | 17m |
| North Wadsworth Boulevard | 5.8 mi | 11m |
| Sheridan Boulevard | 4.3 mi | 7m |
| 28th Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Heartland Expressway | 0.7 mi | <1m |
| Arapahoe Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| South Wadsworth Boulevard | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| 19th Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
— 14.9 mi, about 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Boulder, CO and Lakewood, 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
5
Turn straight onto US 36
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
7
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
8
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
9
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
11
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
0.8 mi
·
53 sec
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward CO 95 South: Sheridan Boulevard
Use the slight right lane.
13
Turn right onto CO 95
4.3 mi
·
7 min
·
Sheridan Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
14
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Toward I 76 West
15
Merge onto I 76
0.7 mi
·
47 sec
·
Heartland Expressway
16
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 1A
Toward CO 121: Wadsworth Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
Toward CO 121 South: Wadsworth Boulevard
Use the left / right lanes.
18
Turn left onto CO 121
5.8 mi
·
11 min
·
North Wadsworth Boulevard
Use the left lane.
19
Continue on CO 121
369 ft
·
15 sec
·
South Wadsworth Boulevard
Use the left lane.
20
Arrive at destination
CO 121
Trip Plan
With a short 43-minute duration, this drive offers excellent flexibility; you can leave whenever suits your schedule best. The estimated fuel cost is a very manageable $4, so you won't need to worry much about refueling. Since the longest uninterrupted stretch is under 15 miles, you likely won't need extensive breaks, but there are opportunities to pull over if desired. A practical tip for this route is to be aware of the potential for traffic congestion on North Wadsworth Boulevard and Sheridan Boulevard, especially during peak commuting hours.
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 14.3 miles from Boulder, CO, or about 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 14.9 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 28.6 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 14.3 miles or 18m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lakewood, 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 28.6 miles and 43m.
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 Denver–Boulder Turnpike for about 14.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 14.3 mi from Boulder, CO · 18m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
14 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 28.6 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 14.3 miles from Boulder, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Lakewood, CO
The final approach into Lakewood, 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 Lakewood, 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
$4.31 one way
$8.62 round trip
$3.83/gal
25.4 MPG avg
10 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.05 | $4.56 | $9.12 |
| premium | $4.39 | $4.95 | $9.90 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $6.31 | $12.63 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.04
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
(14.9 mi)
$1.04
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
$4
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$30–$55
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 10 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
9 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent
Twenty Ninth Street - Tesla Supercharger
Boulder, CO
Tesla
10 DCFC
Gloss Auto Wash & Detail - Tesla Supercharger
Boulder, CO
Tesla
8 DCFC
Niwot- Cottonwood Square Shopping Center
Niwot, CO
EVGATEWAY
4 DCFC
Whole Foods Boulder (Pearl) A1
Boulder, CO
eVgo Network
2 DCFC
CSG EV BOULDER PL4
Boulder, CO
ChargePoint Network
1 DCFC
CSG EV BOULDER PL3
Boulder, CO
ChargePoint Network
1 DCFC
CSG EV BOULDER PL1
Boulder, CO
ChargePoint Network
1 DCFC
CSG EV BOULDER PL2
Boulder, CO
ChargePoint Network
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Network: 4
Tesla: 2
Non-Networked: 1
eVgo Network: 1
EVGATEWAY: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 70% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 8.6 | 0 | $3.00 | $1.37 |
| Efficient EV | 7.2 | 0 | $2.50 | $1.14 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 11.4 | 0 | $4.00 | $1.83 |
Gas CO2
10 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (70% 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
Lakewood, CO
Night in Lakewood on Tuesday
Local time
10:51 PM
MDT
Current temp
44°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
43m 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 Lakewood, CO covers 28.6 miles and takes about 43m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Denver–Boulder Turnpike, North Wadsworth Boulevard, Sheridan Boulevard. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 14.3 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 $4.31 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 18 significant decision points across 28.6 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 16.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.6 miles (CO 95 / Sheridan Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Boulder, CO to Lakewood, CO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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