Origin
Delta, CO
Afternoon in Delta on Sunday
Local time
4:00 PM
MDT
Current temp
32°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Delta, CO to Denver, CO
Drive Time
5h 23m
Distance
276.2 mi
444 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$42
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 10m
★
6 AM
5h 24m
8 AM
5h 51m
10 AM
5h 33m
12 PM
5h 30m
3 PM
5h 34m
5 PM
5h 49m
8 PM
5h 16m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Delta, CO
Ofspace LLC, Culture
Denver, CO
MINEIA MARTINS
Trip Overview
If you are planning to travel from Delta to Denver, expect a journey covering 276.2 miles that typically takes about 5 hours and 23 minutes. This trip is best suited as a single-day commitment, keeping your travel plans straightforward and efficient. You will primarily utilize a mix of I-70 BUS, US 50, and the West 6th Avenue Freeway to navigate the Mountain West region. Budgeting approximately $42 for fuel is a smart way to prepare for the costs ahead. Because the drive is designed to be completed in one day, it offers a practical connection between these two Colorado locations without the need for an overnight stop.
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
138.1 miles from Delta, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 43m into the drive .
Drive Character
This is a highway-focused drive, with 96% of your route spent on major thoroughfares. You should be prepared for a significant long-haul experience, as the longest uninterrupted stretch covers 226.5 miles on I-70 BUS. The road transitions from regional highways to major freeway infrastructure, requiring you to maintain focus through varying traffic patterns. While the route is highly efficient for covering ground quickly, the heavy reliance on highway travel means the experience is defined by steady, consistent movement rather than frequent stops.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 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 226.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 70 BUS and US 50. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near US 50 / Main Street.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 276.2 miles you will encounter 9 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 0.1 miles (US 50 / Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 39.3 miles (I 70 BUS): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 264.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 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
|
US 50 / Main Street
Turn right onto US 50 / Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
7
39.3 mi into trip
|
~52m 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
264.7 mi into trip
|
~5h 5m in
Take the exit toward US 6 East: 6th Avenue, Lakewood
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 261
Toward US 6 East: 6th Avenue, Lakewood
6
276.1 mi into trip
|
~5h 22m in
|
East 14th Avenue
Turn right onto East 14th Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
276.1 mi into trip
|
~5h 23m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 70 BUS | 226.5 mi | 4h 14m |
| US 50 | 27.7 mi | 33m |
| West 6th Avenue Freeway | 10.1 mi | 14m |
| 32 Road | 5.4 mi | 9m |
| Main Street | 5 mi | 7m |
| North Lincoln Street | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| East 4th Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| East 14th Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 70 BUS
— 226.5 mi, about 4h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Delta, CO and Denver, CO.
1
Start on this road
187 ft
·
15 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto East 4th Street
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
East 4th Street
3
Turn right onto US 50
5.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Main Street
Use the none lane.
4
Continue on US 50
16 mi
·
18 min
·
US 50
Use the none lane.
5
Continue on US 50
12 mi
·
14 min
·
US 50
Use the none lane.
6
Continue on CO 141
5.4 mi
·
9 min
·
32 Road
Use the none lane.
7
Turn right onto I 70 BUS; US 6
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
I 70 BUS; US 6
Use the none lane.
8
Continue on I 70 BUS; US 6
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
I 70 BUS; US 6
Use the none lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70 BUS
225 mi
·
4 hr 12 min
·
I 70 BUS
Toward I 70 East: Denver
Use the slight right lane.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Exit 261
Toward US 6 East: 6th Avenue, Lakewood
Use the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto US 6
10 mi
·
14 min
·
West 6th Avenue Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
12
Turn left onto North Lincoln Street
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
North Lincoln Street
Use the straight / left / none lanes.
13
Turn right onto East 14th Avenue
353 ft
·
17 sec
·
East 14th Avenue
Use the right lane.
14
Turn left
358 ft
·
27 sec
Use the straight / left lanes.
15
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since you are looking at a drive spanning over five hours, aim for an early departure to avoid peak traffic as you approach the Denver area. You are allotted one stop for this trip, so choose a location that allows you to stretch your legs and refuel effectively. Given the length of the 226.5-mile stretch on I-70 BUS, make sure your vehicle is prepared for an extended period of highway driving before you leave Delta. Flexibility is your best asset here; use your single planned stop strategically to manage your energy levels throughout the 276.2-mile trek.
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 138.1 miles from Delta, CO, or about 2h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 226.5 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 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 138.1 miles or 2h 43m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Denver, CO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Delta, 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 Delta, CO
This is one driving day of about 276.2 miles and 5h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Delta, 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 226.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 138.1 mi from Delta, CO · 2h 43m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
138 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 138.1 miles from Delta, 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 226.5 miles.
Arriving in Denver, CO
The final approach into Denver, 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 Denver, 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
$41.85 one way
$83.71 round trip
$3.85/gal
25.4 MPG avg
97 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.08 | $44.41 | $88.82 |
| premium | $4.43 | $48.20 | $96.41 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $61.36 | $122.72 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 96.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 82.9 | 1 | $29.00 | $13.26 |
| Efficient EV | 69.1 | 0 | $24.17 | $11.05 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 110.5 | 1 | $38.67 | $17.68 |
Gas CO2
97 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Denver, CO
Afternoon in Denver on Sunday
Local time
4:00 PM
MDT
Current temp
66°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
34 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
5h 23m 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 Delta, CO to Denver, CO covers 276.2 miles and takes about 5h 23m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 70 BUS, US 50, West 6th Avenue Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 138.1 miles from Delta, CO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $41.85 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 276.2 miles you will encounter 9 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 0.1 miles (US 50 / Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 39.3 miles (I 70 BUS): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 264.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Delta, CO to Denver, CO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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