Drive Time
1h 53m
Distance
104.9 mi
169 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
Photo: Ann H
The drive from Boulder, CO to Brush, CO covers 104.9 miles and takes about 1h 53m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on 19th Street, Arapahoe Avenue, 28th Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $14.25 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
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
52.4 miles from Boulder, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 56m into the drive .
Expect a 1h 53m drive with frequent turns across 104.9 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 19th Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Arapahoe Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 28th Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Denver–Boulder Turnpike | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Northwest Parkway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Interlocken Loop | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| E-470 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 120th Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Boulder, CO and Brush, CO.
Start on the route
Turn right onto 19th Street
Turn left onto Arapahoe Avenue
Turn right onto 28th Street
Turn straight onto Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Take the exit slight right toward Northwest Parkway, Interlocken Loop
Keep slight left to continue on Northwest Parkway, RTD Park-n-Ride, Louisville
Turn left onto Interlocken Loop
Continue on Northwest Parkway
Continue on E-470
Take the exit slight right toward 120th Avenue
Turn left onto East 120th Avenue
Turn left onto E 470 Toll North
Merge slight left onto E-470
Take the exit slight right toward I 76 East: Fort Morgan
Merge slight left onto Heartland Expressway
Take the exit slight right toward CO 71: Brush, Snyder
Turn right onto Colorado Avenue
Turn right onto Howard Street
Turn left onto Clayton Street
Arrive at your destination
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.
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 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 52.4 miles or 56m 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 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Brush, CO than in the middle of the route.
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 104.9 miles and 1h 53m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 52.4 mi from Boulder, CO · 56m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
52 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 52.4 miles from Boulder, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Brush, 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 Brush, CO.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$14.25 one way
$28.50 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.85 | $15.90 | $31.80 |
| premium | $4.15 | $17.14 | $34.28 |
| diesel | $3.75 | $15.49 | $30.97 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 36.7 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 31.5 | 0 | $11.01 | $5.04 |
| Efficient EV | 26.2 | 0 | $9.18 | $4.20 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 42 | 0 | $14.69 | $6.71 |
Gas CO2
37 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (68% 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Boulder on Saturday
Local time
10:32 AM
MDT
Current temp
40°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Brush on Saturday
Local time
10:32 AM
MDT
Current temp
36°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
66°F
Brighton, CO
52 mi in
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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