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Trip from Centennial, CO to Hayden, CO

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 9m

Distance

192.2 mi

309 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$29

one way

EV Charging

Fair

2 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
3h 56m ★
6 AM
4h 9m
8 AM
4h 35m
10 AM
4h 18m
12 PM
4h 16m
3 PM
4h 20m
5 PM
4h 34m
8 PM
4h 1m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Centennial, CO, CO

Centennial, CO

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Hayden, CO, CO

Hayden, CO

Thirdman

Trip Overview

The drive from Centennial, CO to Hayden, CO covers 192.2 miles and takes about 4h 9m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 70, Park Avenue, CO 9 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 54.7 miles on I 70. At current regular gas prices, budget about $28.96 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

96.1 miles from Centennial, CO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 4m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 70 54.7 mi 1h 6m
Park Avenue 47.4 mi 1h 1m
CO 9 31.9 mi 43m
US 40 29.1 mi 36m
South Valley Highway 12.5 mi 15m
West 6th Avenue Freeway 7.6 mi 9m
Blue River Parkway 5.3 mi 9m
Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway 0.9 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 70 — 54.7 mi, about 1h 6m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Centennial, CO and Hayden, 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

13 mi · 15 min · South Valley Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 23 sec
Exit 209A-B Toward US 6 West: 6th Avenue Use the slight right lane.
9

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.
10

Continue on US 6

0.9 mi · 1 min · Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
11

Keep slight left at fork onto US 6

0.1 mi · 10 sec · US 6
Toward US 6
12

Merge onto US 6

7.6 mi · 9 min · West 6th Avenue Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 55 sec
Toward I 70 West: Grand Junction Use the slight right lane.
14

Merge onto I 70

55 mi · 1 hr 6 min · I 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 44 sec
Toward US 6 East, CO 9 North: Silverthorne, Dillon
16

Keep slight right at fork

296 ft · 7 sec
Toward CO 9 North: Silverthorne
17

Merge onto CO 9

5.3 mi · 9 min · Blue River Parkway
Use the straight lane.
18

Continue on CO 9

32 mi · 43 min · CO 9
Use the straight lane.
19

Turn left onto US 40

47 mi · 1 hr 1 min · Park Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
20

Continue on US 40

29 mi · 36 min · US 40
21

Arrive at destination

US 40

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 96.1 miles from Centennial, CO, or about 2h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.7 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 42 miles or 53m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 96.1 miles or 2h 4m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 25m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hayden, 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 192.2 miles and 4h 9m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 miles from Centennial, 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 54.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Silverthorne, CO, CO

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Silverthorne, CO

96 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

Applewood, CO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 42 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Vail, CO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 96.1 miles from Centennial, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Corridor 44 Champagne Bar and Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Denver, Colorado

Near the start, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $50 to $60 mile 13.7

Hours: 3 pm–2 am

+13038930044

Visit website

Tikka & Grill, Nepali and Indian Food

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Denver, Colorado

2.6 mi

Corridor 44 Champagne Bar and Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $50 to $60 mile 13.7

Denver, Colorado

Hours: 3 pm–2 am

+13038930044

Visit website

Tikka & Grill, Nepali and Indian Food

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour Moderately mile 13.7

Denver, Colorado

Hours: 11 am–9:15 pm

+17204767144

Visit website

Nola Voodoo Tavern

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour Moderately mile 13.7

Denver, Colorado

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+17203899544

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 164.7

Steamboat Springs, Colorado

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Near the end, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 164.7

Steamboat Springs, Colorado

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

House Of Immersions

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 13.7

Denver, Colorado

Hours: 2–9:30 pm

+13037441008

Visit website

Meow Wolf Denver's Convergence Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 13.7

Denver, Colorado

Hours: 10 am–10 pm

+18666369969

Visit website

Big Blue Bear

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 13.7

Denver, Colorado

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Civic Center Park

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 13.7

Denver, Colorado

Hours: 5 am–11 pm

+17209131311

Visit website

Larimer Square

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 13.7

Denver, Colorado

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+17208051973

Visit website

Skyline Beer Garden

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 13.7

Denver, Colorado

+13035346161

Visit website

Daniels & Fisher

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 13.7

Denver, Colorado

Hours: Open 24 hours

+13038770742

Visit website

United States Mint Tour Entrance and Gift Shop

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 13.7

Denver, Colorado

Hours: 8 am–4 pm

+13035729500

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 16

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 22.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

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
5
0.8 mi into trip | ~2m in | I 25 / South Valley Highway

Merge onto I 25 / South Valley Highway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
13.4 mi into trip | ~18m 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
13.6 mi into trip | ~18m 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
22.6 mi into trip | ~30m 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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$28.96 one way

$57.92 round trip

$3.83/gal 25.4 MPG avg 67 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.05 $30.66 $61.32
premium $4.39 $33.25 $66.50
diesel $5.61 $42.44 $84.87

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$29

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$54–$79

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 67.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 57.7 0 $20.18 $9.23
Efficient EV 48.1 0 $16.82 $7.69
EV Truck/SUV 76.9 0 $26.91 $12.30

Gas CO2

67 kg

EV CO2

22 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Centennial, CO

Afternoon in Centennial on Saturday

Local time

2:14 PM

MDT

Current temp

77°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Hayden, CO

Afternoon in Hayden on Saturday

Local time

2:14 PM

MDT

Current temp

34°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

43 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

4h 9m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

192.2 mi in 4h 9m, mostly highway — 54.7 mi of that is on I 70.

67% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 54.7 mi on I 70.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 70 and Park Avenue. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 192.2 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 0.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 0.8 miles (I 25 / South Valley Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 13.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Centennial, CO and Hayden, CO, road signs point toward Lakewood and Dillon.

Lakewood

13.6 mi in | ~18m

Dillon

78.1 mi in | ~1h 37m

About the Cities

Starting in Centennial, CO

Full guide →

Centennial is a suburban city of about 106,000 in the Denver Metropolitan Area of the western U.S. state of Colorado. The city lies in Arapahoe County southeast of Denver.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 9m. Total distance: 192.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 54.7 miles on I 70. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Hayden, CO before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 0.8 miles (I 25 / South Valley Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 13.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Hayden, CO, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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