Origin
Commerce City, CO
Evening in Commerce City on Sunday
Local time
6:24 PM
MDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Commerce City, CO to Lafayette, CO
Drive Time
29m
Distance
18.7 mi
30 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 27m
★
6 AM
0h 29m
8 AM
0h 34m
10 AM
0h 31m
12 PM
0h 30m
3 PM
0h 31m
5 PM
0h 34m
8 PM
0h 28m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Commerce City, CO
Mark Stebnicki
Lafayette, CO
Matheus Bertelli
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick commute between Commerce City and Lafayette, this 18.7-mile trip is an efficient way to navigate the Mountain West region. You can expect to reach your destination in about 29 minutes, making this an ideal day trip that requires no overnight stay. Budgeting about $3 for fuel is a safe estimate for the journey. Because the route is short and straightforward, it serves as a practical connection between these two Colorado locations. You won't need to plan for any formal stops along the way, allowing you to complete the drive in one easy stretch.
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
9.3 miles from Commerce City, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 13m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is heavily highway-focused, with 71% of your travel taking place on major thoroughfares. You will spend a significant portion of your time on the Denver–Boulder Turnpike and the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, which provide a consistent, fast-paced experience. The longest uninterrupted section covers 9 miles on the Denver–Boulder Turnpike, offering a predictable ride before you transition onto US 287. Expect a functional, interstate-style drive that prioritizes speed and directness over winding scenic detours. As you move from the highway onto local roads, the character of the drive shifts from high-speed commuting to typical suburban navigation.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Denver–Boulder Turnpike is the longest continuous segment at about 9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Denver–Boulder Turnpike and US 287. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Dexter Street.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 18.7 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 0.1 miles (Dexter Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.3 miles (East 60th Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.4 miles (US 6; US 85; CO 2 / North Vasquez Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Dexter Street
At end of road, turn right onto Dexter Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
7
0.3 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
East 60th Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto East 60th Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
6
0.4 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
US 6; US 85; CO 2 / North Vasquez Boulevard
Turn right onto US 6; US 85; CO 2 / North Vasquez Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
0.5 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Take the exit toward I 270 West: Boulder
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 270 West: Boulder
6
6.2 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
US 36 / Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36 / Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Denver–Boulder Turnpike | 9 mi | 10m |
| US 287 | 4 mi | 6m |
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 2.9 mi | 4m |
| South Public Road | 1 mi | 3m |
| CO 121 | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| South 112th Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| North Vasquez Boulevard | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Dexter Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
— 9 mi, about 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Commerce City, CO and Lafayette, CO.
1
Start on this road
0.1 mi
·
55 sec
·
this road
2
At end of road, turn right onto Dexter Street
0.1 mi
·
33 sec
·
Dexter Street
3
Turn right
148 ft
·
16 sec
4
Turn left
96 ft
·
12 sec
5
At end of road, turn left onto East 60th Avenue
200 ft
·
14 sec
·
East 60th Avenue
Use the none lane.
6
Turn right onto US 6; US 85; CO 2
0.2 mi
·
10 sec
·
North Vasquez Boulevard
Use the right lane.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Toward I 270 West: Boulder
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 270
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on US 36
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Use the none lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Use the none lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Use the none lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Use the none lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
0.8 mi
·
52 sec
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Use the none lane.
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
42 sec
Toward CO 121: Wadsworth Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Turn right onto CO 121
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
CO 121
Use the none lane.
16
Continue on US 287
4.0 mi
·
6 min
·
US 287
Use the none lane.
17
Continue on South 112th Street
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
South 112th Street
18
Enter roundabout onto South Public Road
132 ft
·
3 sec
·
South Public Road
19
Continue on South Public Road
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
South Public Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
20
Turn right
50 ft
·
8 sec
21
Turn left
206 ft
·
15 sec
22
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a brief 29-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You can easily manage the entire 18.7-mile route without needing to schedule rest breaks or mid-trip pauses. Keep in mind that because the majority of the drive utilizes major highways, traffic flow on the Denver–Boulder Turnpike and the Eisenhower Highway will dictate your actual travel time. It is wise to check local traffic reports before you leave to avoid potential congestion on these high-traffic corridors. A simple, well-timed departure will ensure you make the most of this efficient Colorado connection.
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 9.3 miles from Commerce City, CO, or about 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 9 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 18.7 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 9.3 miles or 13m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 22m
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 Commerce City, 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 Commerce City, CO
This is one driving day of about 18.7 miles and 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Commerce City, 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 Denver–Boulder Turnpike for about 9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 9.3 mi from Commerce City, CO · 13m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
9 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 18.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 9.3 miles from Commerce City, 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
$2.83 one way
$5.67 round trip
$3.85/gal
25.4 MPG avg
7 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.08 | $3.01 | $6.01 |
| premium | $4.43 | $3.26 | $6.53 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $4.15 | $8.31 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.63
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
(9 mi)
$0.63
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
$3
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$28–$53
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 6.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 71% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 5.6 | 0 | $1.96 | $0.90 |
| Efficient EV | 4.7 | 0 | $1.64 | $0.75 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 7.5 | 0 | $2.62 | $1.20 |
Gas CO2
7 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (71% 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
Evening in Lafayette on Sunday
Local time
6:24 PM
MDT
Current temp
41°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
26 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
29m 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 Commerce City, CO to Lafayette, CO covers 18.7 miles and takes about 29m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Denver–Boulder Turnpike, US 287, Dwight D. Eisenhower 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 9.3 miles from Commerce City, CO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $2.83 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 17 significant decision points across 18.7 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 0.1 miles (Dexter Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.3 miles (East 60th Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.4 miles (US 6; US 85; CO 2 / North Vasquez Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Commerce City, CO to Lafayette, CO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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