Origin
Broomfield, CO
Late night in Broomfield on Friday
Local time
5:13 AM
MDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Broomfield, CO to Carbondale, CO
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 38m
Distance
178.9 mi
288 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 26m
★
6 AM
3h 38m
8 AM
4h 3m
10 AM
3h 47m
12 PM
3h 45m
3 PM
3h 48m
5 PM
4h 2m
8 PM
3h 31m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Broomfield, CO
Owen.outdoors
Carbondale, CO
Jacob Moore
Trip Overview
The drive from Broomfield, CO to Carbondale, CO covers 178.9 miles and takes about 3h 38m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on West 3rd Avenue, Nickel Street, CO 121 South for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $26.95 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
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
89.5 miles from Broomfield, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 49m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 38m. Total distance: 178.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 3h 38m drive with frequent turns across 178.9 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 30 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
West 3rd Avenue is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Broomfield, CO to Carbondale, CO is easy. At 3h 38m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Broomfield, CO to Carbondale, CO is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| West 3rd Avenue | — | — |
| Nickel Street | — | — |
| CO 121 South | — | — |
| US 36 East | — | — |
| Denver–Boulder Turnpike | — | — |
| CO 95 South | — | — |
| Sheridan Boulevard | — | — |
| I 76 West | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
West 3rd Avenue
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Broomfield, CO and Carbondale, CO.
1
Start on the route
190 ft
·
16 sec
·
the route
2
At the end of the road, turn right onto West 3rd Avenue
272 ft
·
20 sec
·
West 3rd Avenue
3
Turn left onto Nickel Street
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
Nickel Street
4
Turn right
141 ft
·
3 sec
5
Keep slight left to continue on CO 121 South
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
CO 121 South
6
Turn straight
0.4 mi
·
1 min
7
Turn left onto US 36 East: Denver
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
US 36 East: Denver
8
Merge slight left onto Denver–Boulder Turnpike
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
9
Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
10
Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike
0.8 mi
·
53 sec
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
11
Take the exit slight right toward CO 95 South: Sheridan Boulevard
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
·
CO 95 South: Sheridan Boulevard
12
Turn right onto Sheridan Boulevard
4.3 mi
·
7 min
·
Sheridan Boulevard
13
Take the ramp slight right toward I 76 West
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
I 76 West
14
Merge slight left onto Heartland Expressway
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Heartland Expressway
15
Merge slight left
153 mi
·
2 hr 54 min
16
Take the exit slight right toward CO 82 East: Glenwood Springs, Aspen
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
CO 82 East: Glenwood Springs, Aspen
17
Continue on Laurel Street
390 ft
·
15 sec
·
Laurel Street
18
Continue on Grand Avenue
0.2 mi
·
45 sec
·
Grand Avenue
19
Turn right onto 8th Street
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
·
8th Street
20
At the end of the road, turn left onto Midland Avenue
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Midland Avenue
21
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward 27th Street
177 ft
·
3 sec
·
27th Street
22
Exit the roundabout onto 27th Street
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
27th Street
23
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward 27th Street
85 ft
·
2 sec
·
27th Street
24
Exit the roundabout onto 27th Street
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
27th Street
25
Turn right onto Glen Avenue
9.8 mi
·
15 min
·
Glen Avenue
26
Turn right
1.1 mi
·
2 min
27
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Main Street
223 ft
·
3 sec
·
Main Street
28
Exit the roundabout onto Main Street
0.5 mi
·
53 sec
·
Main Street
29
Turn left onto North 4th Street
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
·
North 4th Street
30
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
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 89.5 miles from Broomfield, CO, or about 1h 49m into the drive.
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 39 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 89.5 miles or 1h 49m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 59m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Carbondale, 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 178.9 miles and 3h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 89.5 mi from Broomfield, CO · 1h 49m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
89 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 39 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 89.5 miles from Broomfield, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Carbondale, CO
The final approach into Carbondale, 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 Carbondale, 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
$26.95 one way
$53.91 round trip
$3.83/gal
25.4 MPG avg
63 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.05 | $28.54 | $57.08 |
| premium | $4.39 | $30.95 | $61.90 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $39.50 | $79.00 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 62.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 53.7 | 0 | $18.78 | $8.59 |
| Efficient EV | 44.7 | 0 | $15.65 | $7.16 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 71.6 | 0 | $25.05 | $11.45 |
Gas CO2
63 kg
EV CO2
21 kg (67% 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
Carbondale, CO
Late night in Carbondale on Friday
Local time
5:13 AM
MDT
Current temp
34°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
57°F
Breckenridge, CO
89 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
41 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
3h 38m 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 Carbondale, CO covers 178.9 miles and takes about 3h 38m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are West 3rd Avenue, Nickel Street, CO 121 South. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 89.5 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 $26.95 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
The drive from Broomfield, CO to Carbondale, CO is easy. At 3h 38m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Broomfield, CO to Carbondale, CO is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Broomfield, CO to Carbondale, CO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
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