Origin
Denver, CO
Late night in Denver on Wednesday
Local time
3:16 AM
MDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Denver, CO to Burlington, CO
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
2h 58m
Distance
167.2 mi
269 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 47m
★
6 AM
2h 58m
8 AM
3h 21m
10 AM
3h 6m
12 PM
3h 4m
3 PM
3h 7m
5 PM
3h 20m
8 PM
2h 52m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Denver, CO
Wikimedia Commons
Burlington, CO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Spanning 167.2 miles across the Colorado plains, this route takes you from Denver to Burlington in approximately 2 hours and 58 minutes. Because the drive is relatively short, it functions perfectly as a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You should budget about $25 for fuel to cover the journey comfortably. Since both cities are located within the Mountain West region, you will experience a consistent cultural and geographic atmosphere throughout the transit. This trip is straightforward and manageable, making it a reliable option for those looking to cross the state with minimal logistical stress.
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
83.6 miles from Denver, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 29m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that prioritizes community connectivity over high-speed interstate travel. You will navigate through city streets including East Colfax Avenue, North Lincoln Street, and 20th Street rather than relying on major highway corridors. With a 0% highway share, the experience feels more like a deliberate, tactical navigation through local infrastructure than a standard freeway cruise. The road demands your full attention as you move between turns, offering a distinct departure from the monotony of typical interstate transit. You will find yourself constantly engaged with the local road network for the entire duration of the trip.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 19 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.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Denver, CO to Burlington, CO is easy. At 2h 58m 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 Burlington, CO is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East Colfax Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North Lincoln Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 20th Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North Broadway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Park Avenue West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 25 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 70 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Grand Army of the Republic Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
East Colfax Avenue
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Denver, CO and Burlington, CO.
1
Start on the route
377 ft
·
29 sec
·
the route
2
Turn right
62 ft
·
12 sec
3
Turn left onto East Colfax Avenue
361 ft
·
14 sec
·
East Colfax Avenue
4
Turn right onto North Lincoln Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North Lincoln Street
5
Continue on 20th Street
502 ft
·
18 sec
·
20th Street
6
Turn right onto North Broadway
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
North Broadway
7
Turn left onto Park Avenue West
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Park Avenue West
8
Take the ramp slight right toward I 25 North, I 70: Fort Collins, Limon, Grand Junction
459 ft
·
11 sec
·
I 25 North, I 70: Fort Collins, Limon, Grand Junction
9
Keep slight right to continue on I 70: Limon, Grand Junction
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
I 70: Limon, Grand Junction
10
Continue on Grand Army of the Republic Highway
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Grand Army of the Republic Highway
11
Keep slight left
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
12
Merge slight left
9.0 mi
·
12 min
13
Keep slight left to continue on Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway
14
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
151 mi
·
2 hr 30 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
15
Take the exit slight right toward US 385, I 70 Business: Lincoln Street
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
US 385, I 70 Business: Lincoln Street
16
Turn left onto South Lincoln Street
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
·
South Lincoln Street
17
Turn right onto Rose Avenue
0.5 mi
·
56 sec
·
Rose Avenue
18
Turn left onto 15th Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
15th Street
19
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Given the local nature of the roads, plan to depart early to avoid urban traffic congestion as you navigate out of the city. Incorporate at least one planned stop into your itinerary to break up the 167.2-mile journey and keep your focus sharp during the turn-heavy sections. Because this is a shorter trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace based on local road conditions or your own comfort levels. Keep a close eye on your navigation system, as the reliance on city streets like 20th Street and East Colfax Avenue requires frequent course adjustments. Prioritize having a reliable GPS or map handy, as the lack of highway signage means you will be making several turns to stay on track.
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 83.6 miles from Denver, CO, or about 1h 29m 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 80 miles or 1h 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 83.6 miles or 1h 29m 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 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Burlington, 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 167.2 miles and 2h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 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 83.6 mi from Denver, CO · 1h 29m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
84 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
Arriving in Burlington, CO
The final approach into Burlington, 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 Burlington, 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
$25.19 one way
$50.38 round trip
$3.83/gal
25.4 MPG avg
59 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.05 | $26.67 | $53.35 |
| premium | $4.39 | $28.92 | $57.85 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $36.92 | $73.83 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 50.2 | 0 | $17.56 | $8.03 |
| Efficient EV | 41.8 | 0 | $14.63 | $6.69 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 66.9 | 0 | $23.41 | $10.70 |
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (66% 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
Burlington, CO
Late night in Burlington on Wednesday
Local time
3:16 AM
MDT
Current temp
76°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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 58m 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 Burlington, CO covers 167.2 miles and takes about 2h 58m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are East Colfax Avenue, North Lincoln Street, 20th Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 83.6 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 $25.19 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 Burlington, CO is easy. At 2h 58m 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 Burlington, CO is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Denver, CO to Burlington, CO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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