Drive Time
37m
Distance
21.3 mi
34 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
one way
Photo: RDNE Stock project
The drive from Erie, CO to Arvada, CO covers 21.3 miles and takes about 37m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 287, Wadsworth Parkway, Wadsworth Boulevard for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 8.3 miles on US 287. At current regular gas prices, budget about $3.23 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
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
10.6 miles from Erie, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 18m into the drive .
This is a 37m highway drive covering 21.3 miles, with most of the trip on US 287 and Wadsworth Parkway. The longest continuous stretch is about 8.3 miles on US 287.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 287 and Wadsworth Parkway. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near High Street.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 21.3 miles you will encounter 10 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 (High Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (CR 901 / Northeast County Line Road;County Road 1): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.2 miles (Erie Parkway): Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto High Street
Navigation decision point
At end of road, turn left onto CR 901 / Northeast County Line Road;County Road 1
Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto Erie Parkway
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto US 287
Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto Ralston Road
Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 287 | 8.3 mi | 11m |
| Wadsworth Parkway | 4 mi | 6m |
| Wadsworth Boulevard | 3.1 mi | 5m |
| Erie Parkway | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| Wadsworth Bypass | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Northeast County Line Road | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| CO 121 | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Ralston Road | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Erie, CO and Arvada, CO.
Start on Wells Street
Turn left onto High Street
Turn right onto Moffat Street
At end of road, turn left onto CR 901
Turn right onto Erie Parkway
Enter roundabout onto Erie Parkway
Continue on Erie Parkway
Continue on CR 52
Turn left onto US 287
Continue on CO 121
Continue on CO 121
Continue on CO 121
Continue on CO 121
Turn right onto Ralston Road
Turn right onto Ammons Street
Turn left
Arrive at destination
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.
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 21.3 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 10.6 miles or 18m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Arvada, CO than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Erie, 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 Erie, CO
This is one driving day of about 21.3 miles and 37m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 10.6 mi from Erie, CO · 18m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
11 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.
A short stop after about 21.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 10.6 miles from Erie, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Arvada, 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 Arvada, CO.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$3.23 one way
$6.46 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.08 | $3.42 | $6.85 |
| premium | $4.43 | $3.72 | $7.43 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $4.73 | $9.46 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$28–$53
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 7.5 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 | 6.4 | 0 | $2.24 | $1.02 |
| Efficient EV | 5.3 | 0 | $1.86 | $0.85 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 8.5 | 0 | $2.98 | $1.36 |
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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Afternoon in Erie on Saturday
Local time
4:49 PM
MDT
Current temp
40°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Afternoon in Arvada on Saturday
Local time
4:49 PM
MDT
Current temp
65°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
42°F
Broomfield, CO
11 mi in
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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