Origin
Coal Creek, CO
Late night in Coal Creek on Wednesday
Local time
2:13 AM
MDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Coal Creek, CO to Lafayette, CO
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
54m
Distance
29.3 mi
47 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 50m
★
6 AM
0h 54m
8 AM
1h 3m
10 AM
0h 58m
12 PM
0h 57m
3 PM
0h 58m
5 PM
1h 3m
8 PM
0h 52m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Coal Creek, CO
Braeson Holland
Lafayette, CO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Coal Creek, CO to Lafayette, CO covers 29.3 miles and takes about 54m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Coal Creek Canyon Drive, CO 128, CO 93 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 9.2 miles on Coal Creek Canyon Drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $4.41 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.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
14.6 miles from Coal Creek, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 30m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
The drive from Coal Creek, CO to Lafayette, CO covers 29.3 miles and takes about 54m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Coal Creek Canyon Drive is the longest continuous segment at about 9.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.1 miles in near Ridge Road.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 29.3 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 1.1 miles (Ridge Road): Navigation decision point; at 11.7 miles (CO 93): Lane positioning matters here; at 22.3 miles (Interlocken Loop): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
1.1 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
Ridge Road
At end of road, turn left onto Ridge Road
Navigation decision point
6
11.7 mi into trip
|
~26m in
|
CO 93
Turn left onto CO 93
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
22.3 mi into trip
|
~41m in
|
Interlocken Loop
Turn left onto Interlocken Loop
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
25.8 mi into trip
|
~47m in
Take the exit toward US 287: Dillon Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 52
Toward US 287: Dillon Road
7
26.1 mi into trip
|
~47m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 287: Dillon Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Exit 52
Toward US 287: Dillon Road
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Coal Creek Canyon Drive | 9.2 mi | 15m |
| CO 128 | 6.2 mi | 9m |
| CO 93 | 4.3 mi | 6m |
| Northwest Parkway | 2.3 mi | 3m |
| South 112th Street | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| Interlocken Loop | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| Copperdale Lane | 1.2 mi | 4m |
| South Public Road | 1 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
Coal Creek Canyon Drive
— 9.2 mi, about 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Coal Creek, CO and Lafayette, CO.
1
Start on Beauty Lane
516 ft
·
22 sec
·
Beauty Lane
2
Continue on Coal Creek Heights Drive
1.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Coal Creek Heights Drive
3
At end of road, turn left onto Ridge Road
0.1 mi
·
33 sec
·
Ridge Road
4
Continue on Ridge Road
0.1 mi
·
30 sec
·
Ridge Road
5
Turn right onto Copperdale Lane
1.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Copperdale Lane
6
At end of road, turn right onto CO 72
9.2 mi
·
15 min
·
Coal Creek Canyon Drive
7
Turn left onto CO 93
4.3 mi
·
6 min
·
CO 93
Use the left lane.
8
Turn right onto CO 128
6.2 mi
·
9 min
·
CO 128
Use the straight lane.
9
Turn left onto Interlocken Loop
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Interlocken Loop
Use the left lane.
10
Continue on NW
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Northwest Parkway
Use the left lane.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
25 sec
Exit 52
Toward US 287: Dillon Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Exit 52
Toward US 287: Dillon Road
13
Turn straight onto CR 68
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
West Dillon Road
14
Turn left onto US 287
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
South 112th Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
15
Continue on South 112th Street
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
South 112th Street
16
Enter roundabout onto South Public Road
132 ft
·
3 sec
·
South Public Road
17
Continue on South Public Road
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
South Public Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
18
Turn right
50 ft
·
8 sec
19
Turn left
206 ft
·
15 sec
20
Arrive at destination
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 14.6 miles from Coal Creek, CO, or about 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 9.2 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 29.3 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 14.6 miles or 30m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lafayette, 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 29.3 miles and 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Coal Creek, 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 Coal Creek Canyon Drive for about 9.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 14.6 mi from Coal Creek, CO · 30m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
15 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 29.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 14.6 miles from Coal Creek, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Lafayette, CO
The final approach into Lafayette, 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 Lafayette, 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
$4.41 one way
$8.83 round trip
$3.83/gal
25.4 MPG avg
10 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.05 | $4.67 | $9.35 |
| premium | $4.39 | $5.07 | $10.14 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $6.47 | $12.94 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.27
Northwest Parkway
(2.3 mi)
$0.27
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
$4
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$30–$55
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 10.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 70% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 8.8 | 0 | $3.08 | $1.41 |
| Efficient EV | 7.3 | 0 | $2.56 | $1.17 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 11.7 | 0 | $4.10 | $1.88 |
Gas CO2
10 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (70% 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
Lafayette, CO
Late night in Lafayette on Wednesday
Local time
2:13 AM
MDT
Current temp
77°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
25 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
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 Coal Creek, CO to Lafayette, CO covers 29.3 miles and takes about 54m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Coal Creek Canyon Drive, CO 128, CO 93. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 14.6 miles from Coal Creek, CO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $4.41 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 13 significant decision points across 29.3 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 1.1 miles (Ridge Road): Navigation decision point; at 11.7 miles (CO 93): Lane positioning matters here; at 22.3 miles (Interlocken Loop): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Coal Creek, CO to Lafayette, CO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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