Origin
Edwards, CO
Evening in Edwards on Sunday
Local time
5:08 PM
MDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Edwards, CO to Lakewood, CO
Drive Time
2h 8m
Distance
105.8 mi
170 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 0m
★
6 AM
2h 9m
8 AM
2h 27m
10 AM
2h 15m
12 PM
2h 13m
3 PM
2h 16m
5 PM
2h 26m
8 PM
2h 3m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Edwards, CO
RDNE Stock project
Lakewood, CO
Cedric Fauntleroy
Trip Overview
Traveling from Edwards to Lakewood covers 105.8 miles of Colorado terrain, typically taking about 2 hours and 8 minutes of drive time. This straightforward trek is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking overnight accommodations. Budgeting around $16 for fuel should comfortably cover your transit between these two Mountain West locations. Because the route is relatively short, it offers great flexibility for your schedule, allowing you to easily complete the journey in one push. Whether you are heading toward the Denver metro area for business or returning home, this path provides a reliable link across the state.
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
52.9 miles from Edwards, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 3m into the drive .
Drive Character
You will spend the vast majority of your time on the Gerald R. Ford Memorial Highway, which accounts for your longest uninterrupted stretch of 98 miles. The route is characterized as a turn-heavy local drive, requiring your full attention as you transition off the major highway onto the West 6th Avenue Freeway and eventually North Wadsworth Boulevard. With highways making up only 5% of the total distance, you should be prepared for a more technical experience behind the wheel compared to a standard interstate cruise. The character of the road shifts noticeably as you move away from the mountain corridor and navigate toward the suburban environment of Lakewood.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Gerald R. Ford Memorial Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 98 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. 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 Edwards Access Road.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 105.8 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 (Edwards Access Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 0.9 miles (I 70 / Gerald R. Ford Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 98.9 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
|
Edwards Access Road
Enter roundabout onto Edwards Access Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
0.9 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
I 70 / Gerald R. Ford Memorial Highway
Merge onto I 70 / Gerald R. Ford Memorial Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
8
98.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 58m 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
5
99.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 59m in
|
US 6 / West 6th Avenue Freeway
Merge onto US 6 / West 6th Avenue Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
6
104.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 5m in
Take the exit toward CO 121 South: Wadsworth Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward CO 121 South: Wadsworth Boulevard
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Gerald R. Ford Memorial Highway | 98 mi | 1h 56m |
| West 6th Avenue Freeway | 4.9 mi | 5m |
| North Wadsworth Boulevard | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Edwards Access Road | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| South Wadsworth Boulevard | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Gerald R. Ford Memorial Highway
— 98 mi, about 1h 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Edwards, CO and Lakewood, CO.
1
Start on this road
211 ft
·
17 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto Edwards Access Road
151 ft
·
3 sec
·
Edwards Access Road
3
Enter roundabout onto Edwards Access Road
321 ft
·
6 sec
·
Edwards Access Road
4
Continue on Edwards Access Road
0.4 mi
·
42 sec
·
Edwards Access Road
5
Enter roundabout onto I 70 Business
126 ft
·
2 sec
·
Edwards Access Road
6
Continue on I 70 Business
150 ft
·
3 sec
·
Edwards Access Road
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
8
Merge onto I 70
98 mi
·
1 hr 56 min
·
Gerald R. Ford Memorial Highway
Use the none lane.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Exit 261
Toward US 6 East: 6th Avenue, Lakewood
Use the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto US 6
4.9 mi
·
5 min
·
West 6th Avenue Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward CO 121 South: Wadsworth Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Turn slight right onto CO 121
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
North Wadsworth Boulevard
Use the none lane.
13
Continue on CO 121
369 ft
·
15 sec
·
South Wadsworth Boulevard
Use the left lane.
14
Arrive at destination
CO 121
Trip Plan
Since this is a manageable 2-hour drive, you have the advantage of choosing a departure time that avoids peak traffic hours near Lakewood. While there are no required stops on this 105.8-mile journey, keeping your tank topped off before leaving Edwards is a smart move to stay within your $16 fuel budget. Pay close attention to your speed as you transition from the open highway segments onto the local roads of the final approach. Because this is a turn-heavy route, consider giving yourself a buffer in your schedule to navigate the changing road types comfortably. Taking the drive in one go is the most efficient approach, as the short duration makes frequent stops unnecessary.
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 52.9 miles from Edwards, CO, or about 1h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98 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 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 52.9 miles or 1h 3m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lakewood, CO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Edwards, 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 Edwards, CO
This is one driving day of about 105.8 miles and 2h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Edwards, 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 Gerald R. Ford Memorial Highway for about 98 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 52.9 mi from Edwards, CO · 1h 3m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
53 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 52.9 miles from Edwards, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Gerald R. Ford Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 98 miles.
Arriving in Lakewood, CO
The final approach into Lakewood, 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 Lakewood, 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
$16.03 one way
$32.06 round trip
$3.85/gal
25.4 MPG avg
37 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.08 | $17.01 | $34.02 |
| premium | $4.43 | $18.47 | $36.93 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $23.51 | $47.01 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 37 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 31.7 | 0 | $11.11 | $5.08 |
| Efficient EV | 26.5 | 0 | $9.26 | $4.23 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 42.3 | 0 | $14.81 | $6.77 |
Gas CO2
37 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (68% 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
Lakewood, CO
Evening in Lakewood on Sunday
Local time
5:08 PM
MDT
Current temp
64°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
10 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 8m 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 Edwards, CO to Lakewood, CO covers 105.8 miles and takes about 2h 8m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Gerald R. Ford Memorial Highway, West 6th Avenue Freeway, North Wadsworth Boulevard. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 52.9 miles from Edwards, CO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $16.03 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 105.8 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 (Edwards Access Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 0.9 miles (I 70 / Gerald R. Ford Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 98.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Edwards, CO to Lakewood, CO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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