Origin
Clifton, CO
Morning in Clifton on Monday
Local time
7:21 AM
MDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Clifton, CO to Boulder, CO
Drive Time
4h 53m
Distance
248.7 mi
400 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$38
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 40m
★
6 AM
4h 53m
8 AM
5h 20m
10 AM
5h 3m
12 PM
5h 0m
3 PM
5h 4m
5 PM
5h 19m
8 PM
4h 45m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Clifton, CO
Israel Luvhimbi
Boulder, CO
Dmitriy Piskarev
Trip Overview
The drive from Clifton, CO to Boulder, CO covers 248.7 miles and takes about 4h 53m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 70 BUS, CO 93, Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 224 miles on I 70 BUS. At current regular gas prices, budget about $37.69 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
124.4 miles from Clifton, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 20m into the drive .
Drive Character
This is a 4h 53m highway drive covering 248.7 miles, with most of the trip on I 70 BUS and CO 93. The longest continuous stretch is about 224 miles on I 70 BUS.
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.
I 70 BUS is the longest continuous segment at about 224 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 70 BUS and CO 93. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in near I 70 BUS.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 248.7 miles you will encounter 15 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles (I 70 BUS): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 224 miles (I 70 BUS): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 225.9 miles (CR 93 / Heritage Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0.9 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
I 70 BUS
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70 BUS toward I 70 East: Denver
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 70 East: Denver
8
224 mi into trip
|
~4h 12m in
|
I 70 BUS
Take the exit onto I 70 BUS toward US 40, I 70 Business East, CH 93: Golden, Morrison
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 259
Toward US 40, I 70 Business East, CH 93: Golden...
6
225.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 15m in
|
CR 93 / Heritage Road
Enter roundabout onto CR 93 / Heritage Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
226.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 15m in
|
CR 93 / Heritage Road
Enter roundabout onto CR 93 / Heritage Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
7
248.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 52m in
|
19th Street
Turn left onto 19th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Towns Along This Route
Between Clifton, CO and Boulder, CO, road signs point toward Ch 93: Golden and Morrison.
Ch 93: Golden
224 mi in
|
~4h 12m
|
via I 70 BUS
Morrison
224 mi in
|
~4h 12m
|
via I 70 BUS
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 70 BUS | 224 mi | 4h 11m |
| CO 93 | 19.3 mi | 30m |
| Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway | 2.3 mi | 3m |
| Lariat Loop Scenic Byway | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| Heritage Road | 1 mi | 1m |
| Hogback Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| F Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| University Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 70 BUS
— 224 mi, about 4h 11m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clifton, CO and Boulder, CO.
1
Start on US 6
355 ft
·
10 sec
·
F Road
2
Enter roundabout onto US 6
78 ft
·
1 sec
·
F Road
3
Continue on US 6
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
F Road
4
Turn sharp right onto I 70 BUS
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
I 70 BUS
5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70 BUS
223 mi
·
4 hr 10 min
·
I 70 BUS
Toward I 70 East: Denver
Use the slight right lane.
6
Take the exit onto I 70 BUS
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
I 70 BUS
Exit 259
Toward US 40, I 70 Business East, CH 93: Golden, Morrison
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Turn left onto I 70 BUS; CR 93
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
Hogback Road
Use the left lane.
8
Continue on I 70 BUS; US 40
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Lariat Loop Scenic Byway
Use the left lane.
9
Turn left onto CR 93
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
·
Heritage Road
Use the left lane.
10
Enter roundabout onto CR 93
104 ft
·
2 sec
·
Heritage Road
11
Continue on CR 93
489 ft
·
10 sec
·
Heritage Road
12
Enter roundabout onto CR 93
50 ft
·
1 sec
·
Heritage Road
13
Continue on CR 93
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
Heritage Road
14
Enter roundabout onto CR 93
128 ft
·
2 sec
·
Heritage Road
15
Continue on CR 93
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
Heritage Road
16
Turn slight right onto CR 93
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
Heritage Road
17
Turn left onto US 6
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
Use the left lane.
18
Continue on CO 93
7.5 mi
·
10 min
·
CO 93
19
Continue on CO 93
12 mi
·
19 min
·
CO 93
Use the straight lane.
20
Turn right onto University Avenue
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
·
University Avenue
21
Continue on 17th Street
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
17th Street
22
Turn right onto Athens Street
0.1 mi
·
33 sec
·
Athens Street
23
Turn left onto 19th Street
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
19th Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
24
Turn left
87 ft
·
4 sec
25
Arrive at 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 124.4 miles from Clifton, CO, or about 2h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 224 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 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 124.4 miles or 2h 20m 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 49m
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 Clifton, 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 Clifton, CO
This is one driving day of about 248.7 miles and 4h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Clifton, 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 BUS for about 224 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 124.4 mi from Clifton, CO · 2h 20m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
124 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 124.4 miles from Clifton, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 70 BUS if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 224 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.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.69 one way
$75.37 round trip
$3.85/gal
25.4 MPG avg
87 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.08 | $39.99 | $79.98 |
| premium | $4.43 | $43.41 | $86.81 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $55.25 | $110.51 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 87 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 74.6 | 0 | $26.11 | $11.94 |
| Efficient EV | 62.2 | 0 | $21.76 | $9.95 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 99.5 | 1 | $34.82 | $15.92 |
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Morning in Boulder on Monday
Local time
7:21 AM
MDT
Current temp
40°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
32 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 53m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Clifton, CO to Boulder, CO covers 248.7 miles and takes about 4h 53m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 70 BUS, CO 93, Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 124.4 miles from Clifton, CO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $37.69 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 248.7 miles you will encounter 15 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles (I 70 BUS): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 224 miles (I 70 BUS): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 225.9 miles (CR 93 / Heritage Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Between Clifton, CO and Boulder, CO, road signs point toward Ch 93: Golden and Morrison.
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