Origin
Castle Rock, CO
Evening in Castle Rock on Sunday
Local time
5:07 PM
MDT
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Castle Rock, CO to Edwards, CO
Drive Time
2h 42m
Distance
136.2 mi
219 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 32m
★
6 AM
2h 43m
8 AM
3h 4m
10 AM
2h 50m
12 PM
2h 48m
3 PM
2h 51m
5 PM
3h 3m
8 PM
2h 36m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Castle Rock, CO
Peter Mayer
Edwards, CO
RDNE Stock project
Trip Overview
Connecting Castle Rock to Edwards covers a 136.2-mile stretch across the Mountain West, typically taking about 2 hours and 42 minutes behind the wheel. Because this is a relatively short trip, you can easily complete the journey in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $21 on fuel for the one-way trip, making it an affordable excursion. You will primarily utilize I-25, the West 6th Avenue Freeway, and I-70 to reach your destination. Whether you are heading out for a weekend getaway or a quick business trip, this route offers a straightforward path between these two Colorado locations.
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
68.1 miles from Castle Rock, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 22m into the drive .
Drive Character
This is a highway-focused drive, with 97% of your travel occurring on major thoroughfares. You will spend the bulk of your time on I-70, which accounts for a significant 97.7-mile uninterrupted stretch of the journey. While the road is efficient and fast-paced, the transition from the I-25 corridor toward the Mountain West terrain keeps the drive feeling dynamic. Do not expect technical local roads or slow-moving side streets; instead, prepare for a consistent interstate experience. It is a functional route designed to move you quickly through the region while maintaining high speeds throughout the majority of the trip.
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 70 is the longest continuous segment at about 97.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 70 and I 25. 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 3rd Street.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 136.2 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 (3rd Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 0.2 miles (North Wilcox Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 27.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
3rd Street
Enter roundabout onto 3rd Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
North Wilcox Street
Turn right onto North Wilcox Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
7
27.7 mi into trip
|
~33m in
Take the exit toward US 6 West: 6th Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 209A-B
Toward US 6 West: 6th Avenue
9
27.9 mi into trip
|
~33m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 6 West: 6th Avenue, Lakewood
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 209B
Toward US 6 West: 6th Avenue, Lakewood
6
37 mi into trip
|
~45m in
Take the exit toward I 70 West: Grand Junction
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 70 West: Grand Junction
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Castle Rock, CO to Edwards, CO, road signs begin pointing toward Lakewood along the way.
Lakewood
27.9 mi in
|
~33m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 70 | 97.7 mi | 1h 54m |
| I 25 | 26.6 mi | 30m |
| West 6th Avenue Freeway | 7.6 mi | 9m |
| Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Edwards Access Road | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| North Wilcox Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| 3rd Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| US 6 | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 70
— 97.7 mi, about 1h 54m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Castle Rock, CO and Edwards, CO.
1
Start on North Cantril Street
90 ft
·
8 sec
·
North Cantril Street
2
Turn left onto 3rd Street
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
3rd Street
3
Continue on 3rd Street
442 ft
·
17 sec
·
3rd Street
4
Turn right onto North Wilcox Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North Wilcox Street
Use the none lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 25 North
6
Merge onto I 25
27 mi
·
30 min
·
I 25
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Exit 209A-B
Toward US 6 West: 6th Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
Exit 209B
Toward US 6 West: 6th Avenue, Lakewood
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on US 6
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
10
Keep slight left at fork onto US 6
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
US 6
Toward US 6
11
Merge onto US 6
7.6 mi
·
9 min
·
West 6th Avenue Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
55 sec
Toward I 70 West: Grand Junction
Use the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto I 70
98 mi
·
1 hr 54 min
·
I 70
Use the none lane.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Toward Edwards
15
Enter roundabout onto I 70 Business
250 ft
·
5 sec
·
Edwards Access Road
16
Continue on I 70 Business
314 ft
·
6 sec
·
Edwards Access Road
17
Enter roundabout onto I 70 Business
106 ft
·
2 sec
·
Edwards Access Road
18
Continue on I 70 Business
301 ft
·
6 sec
·
Edwards Access Road
19
Enter roundabout onto I 70 Business
76 ft
·
1 sec
·
Edwards Access Road
20
Continue on I 70 Business
0.4 mi
·
40 sec
·
Edwards Access Road
21
Turn right
211 ft
·
15 sec
22
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since your total drive time is under three hours, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure schedule to avoid peak traffic. Plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and manage your fuel, as the 136.2-mile distance is manageable in a single push. Keep a close eye on your gas gauge before hitting the longest 97.7-mile stretch on I-70, as services can become more spread out once you leave the metro area. Because this route relies so heavily on major interstates, check real-time traffic alerts before you pull out of your driveway to ensure no unexpected construction or congestion is slowing down the flow of traffic.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 68.1 miles from Castle Rock, CO, or about 1h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 97.7 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 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 68.1 miles or 1h 22m 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 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Edwards, CO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Castle Rock, 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 Castle Rock, CO
This is one driving day of about 136.2 miles and 2h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Castle Rock, 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 97.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 68.1 mi from Castle Rock, CO · 1h 22m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
68 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 68.1 miles from Castle Rock, 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 97.7 miles.
Arriving in Edwards, CO
The final approach into Edwards, 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 Edwards, 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
$20.64 one way
$41.28 round trip
$3.85/gal
25.4 MPG avg
48 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.08 | $21.90 | $43.80 |
| premium | $4.43 | $23.77 | $47.54 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $30.26 | $60.52 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 47.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 40.9 | 0 | $14.30 | $6.54 |
| Efficient EV | 34.1 | 0 | $11.92 | $5.45 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 54.5 | 0 | $19.07 | $8.72 |
Gas CO2
48 kg
EV CO2
16 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
Edwards, CO
Evening in Edwards on Sunday
Local time
5:07 PM
MDT
Current temp
54°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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 42m 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 Castle Rock, CO to Edwards, CO covers 136.2 miles and takes about 2h 42m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 70, I 25, West 6th Avenue Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 68.1 miles from Castle Rock, CO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $20.64 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 136.2 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 (3rd Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 0.2 miles (North Wilcox Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 27.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Castle Rock, CO to Edwards, CO, road signs begin pointing toward Lakewood along the way.
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