Origin
Denver, CO
Afternoon in Denver on Thursday
Local time
12:59 PM
MDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Denver, CO to Buena Vista, CO
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
2h 40m
Distance
120.1 mi
193 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$18
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 30m
★
6 AM
2h 41m
8 AM
3h 2m
10 AM
2h 48m
12 PM
2h 46m
3 PM
2h 49m
5 PM
3h 1m
8 PM
2h 35m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Denver, CO
Wikimedia Commons
Buena Vista, CO
RDNE Stock project
Trip Overview
The drive from Denver, CO to Buena Vista, CO covers 120.1 miles and takes about 2h 40m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on East Colfax Avenue, Grant Street, East Speer Boulevard for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $18.10 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
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
60.1 miles from Denver, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 20m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 40m. Total distance: 120.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 2h 40m drive with frequent turns across 120.1 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
East Colfax Avenue is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Denver, CO to Buena Vista, CO is easy. At 2h 40m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Denver, CO to Buena Vista, CO is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East Colfax Avenue | — | — |
| Grant Street | — | — |
| East Speer Boulevard | — | — |
| Logan Street | — | — |
| East Alameda Avenue | — | — |
| South Broadway | — | — |
| West Iowa Avenue | — | — |
| South Santa Fe Drive | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
East Colfax Avenue
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Denver, CO and Buena Vista, CO.
1
Start on the route
377 ft
·
29 sec
·
the route
2
Turn right
62 ft
·
9 sec
3
Turn right onto East Colfax Avenue
358 ft
·
14 sec
·
East Colfax Avenue
4
Turn right onto Grant Street
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Grant Street
5
Turn left onto East Speer Boulevard
453 ft
·
13 sec
·
East Speer Boulevard
6
Turn right onto Logan Street
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Logan Street
7
Turn right onto East Alameda Avenue
0.3 mi
·
50 sec
·
East Alameda Avenue
8
Turn left onto South Broadway
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
South Broadway
9
Turn right onto West Iowa Avenue
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
·
West Iowa Avenue
10
At the end of the road, turn left onto South Santa Fe Drive
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
South Santa Fe Drive
11
Take the exit slight right toward US 285 South
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
·
US 285 South
12
Merge slight left onto West Hampden Avenue
111 mi
·
2 hr 24 min
·
West Hampden Avenue
13
At the end of the road, turn right
2.3 mi
·
2 min
14
Turn slight right onto Cottonwood Road
476 ft
·
13 sec
·
Cottonwood Road
15
Turn right onto East Main Street
151 ft
·
3 sec
·
East Main Street
16
Arrive at your 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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 60.1 miles from Denver, CO, or about 1h 20m into the drive.
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 26 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 60.1 miles or 1h 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 2h 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Buena Vista, CO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Denver, 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 Denver, CO
This is one driving day of about 120.1 miles and 2h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Denver, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 60.1 mi from Denver, CO · 1h 20m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
60 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 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 60.1 miles from Denver, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Buena Vista, CO
The final approach into Buena Vista, 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 Buena Vista, 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
$18.10 one way
$36.19 round trip
$3.83/gal
25.4 MPG avg
42 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.05 | $19.16 | $38.32 |
| premium | $4.39 | $20.78 | $41.55 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $26.52 | $53.03 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 42 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 36 | 0 | $12.61 | $5.76 |
| Efficient EV | 30 | 0 | $10.51 | $4.80 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 48 | 0 | $16.81 | $7.69 |
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 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
Buena Vista, CO
Afternoon in Buena Vista on Thursday
Local time
12:59 PM
MDT
Current temp
32°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
14 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 40m 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 Denver, CO to Buena Vista, CO covers 120.1 miles and takes about 2h 40m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are East Colfax Avenue, Grant Street, East Speer Boulevard. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 60.1 miles from Denver, CO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $18.10 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
The drive from Denver, CO to Buena Vista, CO is easy. At 2h 40m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Denver, CO to Buena Vista, CO is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Denver, CO to Buena Vista, CO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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