Origin
Broomfield, CO
Afternoon in Broomfield on Sunday
Local time
4:02 PM
MDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Broomfield, CO to Aspen, CO
Drive Time
4h 18m
Distance
167.1 mi
269 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 5m
★
6 AM
4h 18m
8 AM
4h 45m
10 AM
4h 27m
12 PM
4h 25m
3 PM
4h 29m
5 PM
4h 43m
8 PM
4h 10m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Broomfield, CO
Anastasia Shuraeva
Aspen, CO
Andrew Dibble
Trip Overview
Traveling from Broomfield to Aspen covers 167.1 miles, a journey that typically takes about 4 hours and 18 minutes. Since this is a highway-focused drive, it is perfectly manageable as a single-day trip if you prefer to reach your destination quickly. You should budget approximately $25 for fuel to complete the trek through the Mountain West. While the trip is straightforward enough to be completed in one go, you will have the flexibility to add one planned stop along the way. Planning for a full day allows you to navigate the transition from the Front Range into the heart of the mountains without feeling rushed. It is a practical, efficient route for those looking to swap the suburbs for the high country.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
83.6 miles from Broomfield, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 45m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a drive defined by a heavy reliance on major infrastructure, with 95% of your trip spent on highways. You will begin by navigating a significant 73.3-mile stretch on I-70, which serves as the primary artery for your journey. The route transitions through a blend of high-speed interstate travel before eventually shifting onto CO-91 and CO-82. While the interstate portion is efficient, the character of the road changes once you exit onto state highways, requiring more focused attention behind the wheel. The combination of these fast-paced segments and local road transitions keeps the drive dynamic rather than monotonous.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 29 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 70 is the longest continuous segment at about 73.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 70 and CO 82. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near West 3rd Avenue.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 167.1 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 (West 3rd Avenue): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 1 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 22 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
|
West 3rd Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto West 3rd Avenue
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
6
0.3 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Keep slight left at fork toward CO 121 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward CO 121 South
7
1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Turn left toward US 36 East: Denver
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward US 36 East: Denver
6
2.6 mi into trip
|
~5m 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
4.4 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.
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Broomfield, CO to Aspen, CO, road signs begin pointing toward Leadville along the way.
Leadville
84.8 mi in
|
~1h 46m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 70 | 73.3 mi | 1h 28m |
| CO 82 | 42.9 mi | 1h 37m |
| CO 91 | 22.1 mi | 28m |
| US 24 | 14.8 mi | 20m |
| Sheridan Boulevard | 4.3 mi | 7m |
| Denver–Boulder Turnpike | 3.9 mi | 4m |
| Heartland Expressway | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| West 6th Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 70
— 73.3 mi, about 1h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Broomfield, CO and Aspen, CO.
1
Start on this road
192 ft
·
16 sec
·
this road
2
At end of road, turn right onto West 3rd Avenue
273 ft
·
19 sec
·
West 3rd Avenue
3
Turn left onto Nickel Street
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
Nickel Street
4
Turn right onto US 287
140 ft
·
3 sec
·
US 287
5
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
Toward CO 121 South
6
Turn straight onto CO 121
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
CO 121
Use the none lane.
7
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Toward US 36 East: Denver
Use the left lane.
8
Merge onto US 36
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
9
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Use the none lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
0.8 mi
·
53 sec
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Use the none lane.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward CO 95 South: Sheridan Boulevard
Use the slight right lane.
12
Turn right onto CO 95
4.3 mi
·
7 min
·
Sheridan Boulevard
Use the none lane.
13
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Toward I 76 West
14
Merge onto I 76
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Heartland Expressway
Use the none / straight / right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 70
73 mi
·
1 hr 28 min
·
I 70
Use the none lane.
16
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
Toward CO 91 South: Copper Mountain, Leadville
17
Continue on CO 91
22 mi
·
28 min
·
CO 91
18
Continue on US 24
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
US 24
19
At end of road, turn right onto US 24
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
East 9th Street
20
Turn slight left onto US 24
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
·
Harrison Avenue
21
Turn right onto West 6th Street
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West 6th Street
22
Turn left onto CR 37
0.5 mi
·
52 sec
·
McWethy Drive
23
Turn right onto US 24
14 mi
·
17 min
·
US 24
24
Turn right onto CO 82
43 mi
·
1 hr 37 min
·
CO 82
25
Turn right onto CO 82
0.1 mi
·
25 sec
·
South Original Street
26
Continue on CO 82
0.2 mi
·
41 sec
·
East Main Street
27
Turn right onto North Galena Street
147 ft
·
7 sec
·
North Galena Street
28
Turn left
56 ft
·
2 sec
29
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 4-hour and 18-minute drive, try to depart early in the morning to beat the heaviest traffic on I-70. Since you have a $25 fuel budget, ensure your tank is topped off before leaving Broomfield to avoid paying premium prices in smaller mountain towns. You have the luxury of one scheduled stop; look for a convenient pull-off during your longest 73.3-mile interstate stretch to stretch your legs. Keep a close eye on your navigation as you transition from the interstate to CO-91 and CO-82, as these turns are vital to staying on track. Being mindful of these shifts will ensure a smooth arrival in Aspen.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 83.6 miles from Broomfield, CO, or about 1h 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 73.3 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 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 83.6 miles or 1h 45m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 9m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Aspen, CO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Broomfield, 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 Broomfield, CO
This is one driving day of about 167.1 miles and 4h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Broomfield, CO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 70 for about 73.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 83.6 mi from Broomfield, CO · 1h 45m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
84 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 83.6 miles from Broomfield, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 70 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 73.3 miles.
Arriving in Aspen, CO
The final approach into Aspen, 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 Aspen, 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
$25.32 one way
$50.64 round trip
$3.85/gal
25.4 MPG avg
59 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.08 | $26.87 | $53.74 |
| premium | $4.43 | $29.16 | $58.33 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $37.12 | $74.25 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.27
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
(3.9 mi)
$0.27
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
$25
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 50.1 | 0 | $17.55 | $8.02 |
| Efficient EV | 41.8 | 0 | $14.62 | $6.68 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 66.8 | 0 | $23.39 | $10.69 |
Gas CO2
58 kg
EV CO2
20 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
Aspen, CO
Afternoon in Aspen on Sunday
Local time
4:02 PM
MDT
Current temp
26°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
16 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 18m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Broomfield, CO to Aspen, CO covers 167.1 miles and takes about 4h 18m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 70, CO 82, CO 91. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 83.6 miles from Broomfield, CO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $25.32 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 167.1 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 (West 3rd Avenue): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 1 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Broomfield, CO to Aspen, CO, road signs begin pointing toward Leadville along the way.
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