Origin
Broomfield, CO
Evening in Broomfield on Sunday
Local time
5:07 PM
MDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Broomfield, CO to Wheat Ridge, CO
Drive Time
22m
Distance
11.9 mi
19 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 21m
★
6 AM
0h 23m
8 AM
0h 27m
10 AM
0h 24m
12 PM
0h 24m
3 PM
0h 24m
5 PM
0h 26m
8 PM
0h 21m
★
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Broomfield, CO
Anastasia Shuraeva
Wheat Ridge, CO
Hazar ÇELİK
Trip Overview
Traveling between Broomfield and Wheat Ridge is a quick, straightforward journey covering just 11.9 miles. You can expect to complete this drive in roughly 22 minutes, making it a perfect day trip that requires no overnight stay. With a fuel cost of only $2, it is a highly economical route for those moving through the Mountain West. Since the entire trip takes place within Colorado, you won't experience major regional shifts, allowing for a consistent driving experience. This short commute is ideal if you need a reliable connection between these two cities without the need for extensive planning or multiple stops.
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
5.9 miles from Broomfield, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 11m into the drive .
Drive Character
This mixed drive transitions through several configurations of the Wadsworth corridor, specifically utilizing Wadsworth Parkway, Wadsworth Boulevard, and the Wadsworth Bypass. While about 38% of your journey will be on highways, the road maintains a practical feel that balances speed with urban accessibility. Your longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on Wadsworth Parkway, spanning 4 miles before the road character shifts. Expect a functional drive that trades scenic variety for directness, keeping you focused on the road as you navigate these primary transit arteries. The experience is consistent and efficient, moving steadily through the suburban landscape.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Wadsworth Parkway is the longest continuous segment at about 4 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 West 3rd Avenue.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 8 significant decision points across 11.9 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 0.1 miles (Nickel Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (US 287): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 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
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Nickel Street
Turn left onto Nickel Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.2 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
US 287
Turn right onto US 287
Navigation decision point
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
6
11.4 mi into trip
|
~21m in
|
CR 180 / West 38th Avenue
Turn left onto CR 180 / West 38th Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Wadsworth Parkway | 4 mi | 6m |
| Wadsworth Boulevard | 3.1 mi | 5m |
| Wadsworth Bypass | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| North Wadsworth Boulevard | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| CO 121 | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Teller Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| West 38th Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Nickel Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Wadsworth Parkway
— 4 mi, about 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Broomfield, CO and Wheat Ridge, 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
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
CO 121
Use the none lane.
7
Continue on CO 121
4.0 mi
·
6 min
·
Wadsworth Parkway
Use the left / none lanes.
8
Continue on CO 121
3.1 mi
·
5 min
·
Wadsworth Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on CO 121
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Wadsworth Bypass
Use the none lane.
10
Continue on CO 121
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
North Wadsworth Boulevard
Use the left / none lanes.
11
Turn slight left
0.1 mi
·
38 sec
12
Turn left onto CR 180
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
West 38th Avenue
Use the none lane.
13
Turn right onto Teller Street
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
Teller Street
14
Turn right
24 ft
·
1 sec
15
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Because this is a short 22-minute trip, you have significant flexibility regarding your departure time, though avoiding peak traffic hours is always a smart move. You will not need to plan for any stops along the way, as the 11.9-mile distance is easily manageable in a single stint. Keep in mind that the route relies heavily on the Wadsworth system, so checking for local traffic updates on the bypass before you head out can save you time. Budgeting $2 for fuel is more than sufficient for this direct path. Use this trip's brevity to your advantage by planning your activities in Wheat Ridge for the moment you arrive.
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 5.9 miles from Broomfield, CO, or about 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 4 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 11.9 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 5.9 miles or 11m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wheat Ridge, 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 11.9 miles and 22m.
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.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Wadsworth Parkway for about 4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 5.9 mi from Broomfield, CO · 11m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
6 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 11.9 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 5.9 miles from Broomfield, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Wheat Ridge, CO
The final approach into Wheat Ridge, 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 Wheat Ridge, 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
$1.80 one way
$3.61 round trip
$3.85/gal
25.4 MPG avg
4 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.08 | $1.91 | $3.83 |
| premium | $4.43 | $2.08 | $4.15 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $2.64 | $5.29 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$27–$52
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 4.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 75% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 3.6 | 0 | $1.25 | $0.57 |
| Efficient EV | 3 | 0 | $1.04 | $0.48 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 4.8 | 0 | $1.67 | $0.76 |
Gas CO2
4 kg
EV CO2
1 kg (75% 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
Wheat Ridge, CO
Evening in Wheat Ridge on Sunday
Local time
5:07 PM
MDT
Current temp
64°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
22 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
22m 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 Broomfield, CO to Wheat Ridge, CO covers 11.9 miles and takes about 22m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Wadsworth Parkway, Wadsworth Boulevard, Wadsworth Bypass. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 5.9 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 $1.80 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 8 significant decision points across 11.9 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 0.1 miles (Nickel Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (US 287): Navigation decision point.
The route from Broomfield, CO to Wheat Ridge, CO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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