Origin
Coal Creek, CO
Afternoon in Coal Creek on Saturday
Local time
12:01 PM
MDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Coal Creek, CO to Aurora, CO
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 23m
Distance
111.2 mi
179 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$17
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 13m
★
6 AM
2h 23m
8 AM
2h 43m
10 AM
2h 30m
12 PM
2h 28m
3 PM
2h 31m
5 PM
2h 42m
8 PM
2h 17m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Coal Creek, CO
Braeson Holland
Aurora, CO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Coal Creek, CO to Aurora, CO covers 111.2 miles and takes about 2h 23m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Ronald Reagan Highway, CO 115, I 225 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed highway & surface. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 51.8 miles on Ronald Reagan Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $16.75 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
55.6 miles from Coal Creek, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 22m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Ronald Reagan Highway | 51.8 mi | 54m |
| CO 115 | 36.8 mi | 51m |
| I 225 | 8.5 mi | 9m |
| Monument Valley Freeway | 7.7 mi | 8m |
| West Main Street | 2.1 mi | 4m |
| County Road 13 | 1.8 mi | 7m |
| East 6th Avenue | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Main Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Ronald Reagan Highway
— 51.8 mi, about 54m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Coal Creek, CO and Aurora, CO.
1
Start on Main Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
2
Continue on County Road 13
1.8 mi
·
7 min
·
County Road 13
3
Continue on South Frazier Avenue
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
South Frazier Avenue
4
Turn right onto West Main Street
2.1 mi
·
4 min
·
West Main Street
5
Continue on CO 115
3.6 mi
·
6 min
·
CO 115
6
Enter roundabout onto CO 115
121 ft
·
2 sec
·
CO 115
7
Continue on CO 115
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
CO 115
8
Continue on CO 115
32 mi
·
43 min
·
CO 115
Use the straight lane.
9
Turn left
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
Toward I 25 North, US 24 West: Denver
Use the left lane.
10
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward I 25 North, US 24 West: Denver
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 25; US 24
7.7 mi
·
8 min
·
Monument Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 25
52 mi
·
54 min
·
Ronald Reagan Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
Exit 200
Toward I 225 North: Aurora, Limon
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 225
0.1 mi
·
7 sec
·
I 225
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 225
8.4 mi
·
9 min
·
I 225
Toward I 225 North: Limon
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
Exit 9
Toward CO 30: 6th Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork
141 ft
·
5 sec
Toward CO 30: Colorado National Guard, Lowry Campus, 6th Avenue
18
Turn left onto CO 30
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
·
East 6th Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
19
Turn right onto Vaughn Street
257 ft
·
12 sec
·
Vaughn Street
20
Turn right onto North Zion Street
509 ft
·
27 sec
·
North Zion Street
21
Turn left onto North Vaughn Street
0.2 mi
·
43 sec
·
North Vaughn Street
22
Arrive at destination
North Vaughn Street
Trip Plan
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 55.6 miles from Coal Creek, CO, or about 1h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 51.8 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 24 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 55.6 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 1h 59m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Aurora, CO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Coal Creek, 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 Coal Creek, CO
This is one driving day of about 111.2 miles and 2h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 24 miles from Coal Creek, CO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Ronald Reagan Highway for about 51.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
56 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 24 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 55.6 miles from Coal Creek, 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 41.5 and 110.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
41.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 6m in
Turn left toward I 25 North, US 24 West: Denver
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I 25 North, US 24 West: Denver
7
41.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 6m in
Take the ramp toward I 25 North, US 24 West: Denver
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 25 North, US 24 West: Denver
8
101.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 10m 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
7
101.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 10m in
|
I 225
Keep slight left at fork onto I 225 toward I 225 North: Limon
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 225 North: Limon
7
110.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 20m in
Take the exit toward CO 30: 6th Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 9
Toward CO 30: 6th Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.75 one way
$33.51 round trip
$3.83/gal
25.4 MPG avg
39 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.05 | $17.74 | $35.48 |
| premium | $4.39 | $19.24 | $38.47 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $24.55 | $49.10 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 38.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 33.4 | 0 | $11.68 | $5.34 |
| Efficient EV | 27.8 | 0 | $9.73 | $4.45 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 44.5 | 0 | $15.57 | $7.12 |
Gas CO2
39 kg
EV CO2
13 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
Aurora, CO
Afternoon in Aurora on Saturday
Local time
12:01 PM
MDT
Current temp
47°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
30 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
2h 23m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument
National Monument
Beneath a grassy mountain valley in central Colorado lies one of the richest and most diverse fossil deposits in the world. Petrified redwood stumps up to 14 feet wide and thousands of detailed fossil...
24 mi from route
~60 min detour
$10
near mile 46
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
111.2 mi in 2h 23m — 48% highway, the rest on surface roads. Biggest road: Ronald Reagan Highway.
48% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 51.8 mi on Ronald Reagan Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 41.5 miles in.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 111.2 miles you will encounter 13 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 41.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 41.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 101.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Coal Creek, CO to Aurora, CO, road signs begin pointing toward Limon along the way.
Limon
101.4 mi in
|
~2h 10m
About the Cities
Arriving in Aurora, CO
Full guide →Aurora is a city of about 400,000 of the Denver Metropolitan Area in the western U.S. state of Colorado. The city lies immediately east of Denver in Arapahoe, Adams, and Douglas counties. In 2008 it was named the "All American City."
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 2h 23m. Total distance: 111.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (48%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 51.8 miles on Ronald Reagan Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Aurora, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 41.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 41.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 101.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Aurora, CO before heading back.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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