Origin
Brush, CO
Evening in Brush on Sunday
Local time
5:05 PM
MDT
Current temp
36°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Brush, CO to Boulder, CO
Drive Time
1h 55m
Distance
104.9 mi
169 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 47m
★
6 AM
1h 55m
8 AM
2h 12m
10 AM
2h 1m
12 PM
1h 59m
3 PM
2h 2m
5 PM
2h 11m
8 PM
1h 50m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Brush, CO
Wikimedia Commons
Boulder, CO
Dmitriy Piskarev
Trip Overview
Spanning 104.9 miles across Colorado, this drive takes you from Brush to Boulder in about 1 hour and 55 minutes. Since the entire journey is well within a comfortable range for a single day, you can easily complete it without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $16 on fuel for the trip, making it a very affordable transit between the plains and the foothills. You will be traveling entirely within the Mountain West, transitioning from the open landscapes of Brush toward the more densely populated Boulder area. This route is designed for efficiency, prioritizing speed and directness over scenic detours. It serves as a straightforward connection for those looking to reach their destination quickly.
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 Brush, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 54m into the drive .
Drive Character
This is a highway-focused drive, with 82% of the journey spent on high-speed roads. You will rely heavily on I-76, E-470, and the Northwest Parkway to navigate the transition between Brush and Boulder. The longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on I-76, where you can settle into a steady pace for 69.3 miles. Because of the high highway percentage, the experience behind the wheel is consistent and predictable rather than winding or technical. You can expect a smooth, industrial-style transit that moves you efficiently through the region's infrastructure.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 76 is the longest continuous segment at about 69.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 76 and E-470. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near CO 71 / Colorado 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 104.9 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: at 0.1 miles (CO 71 / Colorado Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 70.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 73.1 miles (East 120th Avenue): 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
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
CO 71 / Colorado Avenue
Turn left onto CO 71 / Colorado Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
70.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 12m in
Take the exit toward 136th Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 20
Toward 136th Avenue
6
73.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 17m in
|
East 120th Avenue
Turn left onto East 120th Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
7
73.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 18m in
Turn left toward E 470 Toll North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward E 470 Toll North
6
94.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 40m in
Take the exit toward US 36 West: Boulder
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward US 36 West: Boulder
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Brush, CO to Boulder, CO, road signs begin pointing toward E 470 Toll North along the way.
E 470 Toll North
73.6 mi in
|
~1h 18m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 76 | 69.3 mi | 1h 9m |
| E-470 | 12.6 mi | 12m |
| Northwest Parkway | 8.3 mi | 9m |
| Denver–Boulder Turnpike | 8.3 mi | 9m |
| Buckley Road | 2 mi | 3m |
| 28th Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Colorado Avenue | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Arapahoe Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 76
— 69.3 mi, about 1h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brush, CO and Boulder, CO.
1
Start on Clayton Street
185 ft
·
12 sec
·
Clayton Street
2
Turn left onto West Emerson Street
418 ft
·
25 sec
·
West Emerson Street
3
Turn left onto CO 71
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Colorado Avenue
Use the straight lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
5
Merge onto I 76
69 mi
·
1 hr 9 min
·
I 76
Use the none lane.
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 20
Toward 136th Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Turn right onto East 136th Avenue
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
East 136th Avenue
8
Turn left onto Buckley Road
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Buckley Road
Use the left lane.
9
Turn left onto East 120th Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East 120th Avenue
Use the none lane.
10
Turn left
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Toward E 470 Toll North
Use the left lane.
11
Merge onto E470
13 mi
·
12 min
·
E-470
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on NW
8.3 mi
·
9 min
·
Northwest Parkway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward US 36 West: Boulder
Use the right lane.
14
Merge onto US 36
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
15
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Use the none lane.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Use the none lane.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto US 36
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
18
Continue on US 36
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
28th Street
Use the none lane.
19
Turn left onto Arapahoe Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Arapahoe Avenue
Use the left lane.
20
Turn right onto 19th Street
143 ft
·
11 sec
·
19th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Turn left
87 ft
·
4 sec
22
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 1 hour and 55 minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility when planning your departure time. Since there are no required stops on this route, you can easily drive straight through if you prefer to minimize your time on the road. Keep in mind that your fuel budget is roughly $16, so checking your levels before leaving Brush is a smart way to ensure an uninterrupted trip. Because this route utilizes toll-heavy roads like E-470 and the Northwest Parkway, ensure your transponder is ready or you are prepared for electronic toll billing. Pacing yourself is simple on this stretch, as the lack of necessary stops allows you to reach Boulder exactly when your schedule demands.
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 52.4 miles from Brush, CO, or about 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 69.3 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 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 52.4 miles or 54m 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 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Boulder, CO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Brush, 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 Brush, CO
This is one driving day of about 104.9 miles and 1h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Brush, 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 I 76 for about 69.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 52.4 mi from Brush, CO · 54m 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.
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 52.4 miles from Brush, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 76 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 69.3 miles.
Arriving in Boulder, CO
The final approach into Boulder, 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 Boulder, 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
$15.90 one way
$31.79 round trip
$3.85/gal
25.4 MPG avg
37 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.08 | $16.87 | $33.73 |
| premium | $4.43 | $18.31 | $36.62 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $23.31 | $46.61 |
Estimated Tolls: $3.09
E-470
(12.6 mi)
$1.51
Northwest Parkway
(8.3 mi)
$1.00
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
(8.3 mi)
$0.58
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
$16
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 36.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
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.
Destination
Boulder, CO
Evening in Boulder on Sunday
Local time
5:05 PM
MDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
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
1h 55m 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 Brush, CO to Boulder, CO covers 104.9 miles and takes about 1h 55m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 76, E-470, Northwest Parkway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 52.4 miles from Brush, CO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $15.90 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 104.9 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: at 0.1 miles (CO 71 / Colorado Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 70.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 73.1 miles (East 120th Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Brush, CO to Boulder, CO, road signs begin pointing toward E 470 Toll North along the way.
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