Origin
Centennial, CO
Afternoon in Centennial on Sunday
Local time
3:54 PM
MDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Centennial, CO to Brush, CO
Drive Time
1h 54m
Distance
104.6 mi
168 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 46m
★
6 AM
1h 54m
8 AM
2h 11m
10 AM
2h 0m
12 PM
1h 59m
3 PM
2h 1m
5 PM
2h 10m
8 PM
1h 49m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Centennial, CO
RDNE Stock project
Brush, CO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from Centennial to Brush, you are looking at a straightforward 104.6-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 54 minutes. This drive is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, as it does not require an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via I-225, Peña Boulevard, and the Heartland Expressway to complete the trip. With an estimated fuel cost of approximately $16, the route is budget-friendly for a quick getaway. Because both locations are situated within the Mountain West region, you will remain in a familiar geographic corridor throughout your travels. It is a practical, efficient connection that gets you from the Denver metro area to the plains of Brush without unnecessary complexity.
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
52.3 miles from Centennial, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 79% of this route consists of high-speed transit. You will spend the bulk of your time behind the wheel on the Heartland Expressway, which accounts for a 70.6-mile stretch of uninterrupted driving. The transition from the urban density of Centennial to the more open, expansive landscape near Brush happens steadily as you shift between these major thoroughfares. Because the drive is dominated by high-speed roads, you can maintain a consistent pace once you clear the initial metro traffic. It is a utilitarian drive that prioritizes speed and efficiency over winding, technical backroads, making it a predictable experience for those who prefer interstate travel.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 25 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Heartland Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 70.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Heartland Expressway and I 225. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 104.6 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 0.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 4.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
8
0.6 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Turn left toward I 25 North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 25 North
8
4.4 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Take the exit toward I 225 North: Aurora, Limon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 200
Toward I 225 North: Aurora, Limon
8
16.1 mi into trip
|
~20m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 70 East: Limon
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 12B
Toward I 70 East: Limon
8
17.4 mi into trip
|
~22m in
|
Peña Boulevard
Keep slight right at fork onto Peña Boulevard toward Denver International Airport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 284
Toward Denver International Airport
8
24 mi into trip
|
~30m in
Keep slight left at fork toward E470 Toll North: Fort Collins
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 6B
Toward E470 Toll North: Fort Collins
Towns Along This Route
Between Centennial, CO and Brush, CO, road signs point toward Denver International Airport, E470 Toll: Fort Collins, E470 Toll North: Fort Collins and E470 Toll North.
Denver International Airport
17.4 mi in
|
~22m
|
via Peña Boulevard
E470 Toll: Fort Collins
23.9 mi in
|
~30m
E470 Toll North: Fort Collins
24 mi in
|
~30m
E470 Toll North
24.6 mi in
|
~31m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Heartland Expressway | 70.6 mi | 1h 10m |
| I 225 | 11.6 mi | 13m |
| Peña Boulevard | 6.5 mi | 7m |
| E-470 | 6.4 mi | 6m |
| South Valley Highway | 3.5 mi | 4m |
| Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| Colorado Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| East Dry Creek Road | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Heartland Expressway
— 70.6 mi, about 1h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Centennial, CO and Brush, CO.
1
Start on this road
495 ft
·
41 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left
118 ft
·
10 sec
3
Turn right onto East Panorama Circle
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
East Panorama Circle
4
Turn right onto South Chester Street
384 ft
·
14 sec
·
South Chester Street
5
Turn right onto CR 46
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
·
East Dry Creek Road
6
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Toward I 25 North
Use the left lane.
7
Merge onto I 25
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
South Valley Highway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
Exit 200
Toward I 225 North: Aurora, Limon
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 225
0.1 mi
·
7 sec
·
I 225
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 225
12 mi
·
13 min
·
I 225
Toward I 225 North: Limon
Use the none lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi
·
57 sec
Exit 12B
Toward I 70 East: Limon
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 70
0.6 mi
·
45 sec
·
Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto Peña Boulevard
6.5 mi
·
7 min
·
Peña Boulevard
Exit 284
Toward Denver International Airport
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
13 sec
Exit 6
Toward E470 Toll: Fort Collins
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
53 sec
Exit 6B
Toward E470 Toll North: Fort Collins
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 6B
Toward E470 Toll North
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
56 sec
18
Merge onto E470
6.4 mi
·
6 min
·
E-470
Use the none lane.
19
Take the exit
1.1 mi
·
1 min
Exit 35
Toward I 76 East: Fort Morgan
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Merge onto I 76
71 mi
·
1 hr 10 min
·
Heartland Expressway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward CO 71: Brush, Snyder
22
Turn right onto CO 71
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Colorado Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
23
Turn right onto Howard Street
398 ft
·
15 sec
·
Howard Street
24
Turn left onto Clayton Street
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
Clayton Street
25
Arrive at destination
Clayton Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip under two hours, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. Aim to hit the road outside of peak traffic hours to ensure you maintain that 1-hour and 54-minute estimated travel time. Given the 70.6-mile stretch on the Heartland Expressway, ensure your vehicle is fueled up before you leave, as the $16 fuel estimate assumes steady driving conditions. You won't need to plan for formal stops on this route, but keeping water and snacks in the car is always a smart call for a drive of this length. Pay close attention to signage when transitioning between I-225 and the Heartland Expressway to keep your transit smooth and stress-free.
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 52.3 miles from Centennial, CO, or about 1h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 70.6 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 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 52.3 miles or 1h 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 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Brush, CO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Centennial, 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 Centennial, CO
This is one driving day of about 104.6 miles and 1h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Centennial, 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 Heartland Expressway for about 70.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 52.3 mi from Centennial, CO · 1h 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 52.3 miles from Centennial, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Heartland Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 70.6 miles.
Arriving in Brush, CO
The final approach into Brush, 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 Brush, 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
$15.85 one way
$31.70 round trip
$3.85/gal
25.4 MPG avg
37 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.08 | $16.82 | $33.64 |
| premium | $4.43 | $18.26 | $36.51 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $23.24 | $46.48 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.77
E-470
(6.4 mi)
$0.77
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
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 36.6 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 | 31.4 | 0 | $10.98 | $5.02 |
| Efficient EV | 26.2 | 0 | $9.15 | $4.18 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 41.8 | 0 | $14.64 | $6.69 |
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
Brush, CO
Afternoon in Brush on Sunday
Local time
3:54 PM
MDT
Current temp
36°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
4 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
1h 54m 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 Centennial, CO to Brush, CO covers 104.6 miles and takes about 1h 54m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Heartland Expressway, I 225, Peña Boulevard. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 52.3 miles from Centennial, CO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $15.85 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 22 significant decision points across 104.6 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 0.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 4.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Centennial, CO and Brush, CO, road signs point toward Denver International Airport, E470 Toll: Fort Collins, E470 Toll North: Fort Collins and E470 Toll North.
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