Origin
Firestone, CO
Late night in Firestone on Wednesday
Local time
5:40 AM
MDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Firestone, CO to Westminster, CO
Data updated 0 seconds ago
Drive Time
35m
Distance
24 mi
39 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 32m
★
6 AM
0h 35m
8 AM
0h 41m
10 AM
0h 37m
12 PM
0h 37m
3 PM
0h 38m
5 PM
0h 41m
8 PM
0h 34m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Firestone, CO
Ofspace LLC, Culture
Westminster, CO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This quick 24-mile drive from Firestone, Colorado, to Westminster, Colorado, should take you about 35 minutes to complete. Designed as a single-day trip, it's a straightforward local journey that will cost an estimated $4 in fuel. You'll primarily navigate via North Valley Highway and Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, with a brief stint on CO 52. Given its short distance, this route is perfect for a day trip without needing an overnight stay. Both the origin and destination are within the Mountain West region, so you won't be crossing any major regional boundaries on this local excursion.
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
12 miles from Firestone, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 16m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' for this 24-mile stretch. With only a 13% highway share, much of your time will be spent on local roads, punctuated by highway segments. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 7.6 miles on North Valley Highway, offering a brief period of steady driving before you're back to navigating intersections and local traffic. This route is characterized by frequent changes in direction and speed, demanding your attention as you transition between different road types and traffic conditions.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
North Valley Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 7.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near 1st Street.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 24 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (1st Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 4.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 12.1 miles (I 25 / North Valley Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 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
|
1st Street
At end of road, turn left onto 1st Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
6
4.1 mi into trip
|
~7m in
Turn left toward I 25 South: Denver
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 25 South: Denver
6
12.1 mi into trip
|
~16m in
|
I 25 / North Valley Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 25 / North Valley Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
19.1 mi into trip
|
~24m in
Take the exit toward Thornton Parkway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 220
Toward Thornton Parkway
7
19.3 mi into trip
|
~25m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Thornton Parkway West, Water World, Thornton Park-n-Ride
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Thornton Parkway West, Water World, Thor...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Firestone, CO and Westminster, CO, road signs point toward Thornton Parkway West, Water World and Thornton Park-N-Ride.
Thornton Parkway West
19.3 mi in
|
~25m
Water World
19.3 mi in
|
~25m
Thornton Park-N-Ride
19.3 mi in
|
~25m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Valley Highway | 7.6 mi | 8m |
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 7 mi | 7m |
| CO 52 | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| Federal Boulevard | 1.5 mi | 3m |
| Colorado Boulevard | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Thornton Parkway | 1 mi | 2m |
| West 92nd Avenue | 1 mi | 2m |
| West 80th Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
North Valley Highway
— 7.6 mi, about 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Firestone, CO and Westminster, CO.
1
Start on Granville Avenue
0.1 mi
·
37 sec
·
Granville Avenue
2
At end of road, turn left onto 1st Street
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
1st Street
3
Turn right onto McClure Avenue
0.1 mi
·
28 sec
·
McClure Avenue
4
Turn left onto Colorado Boulevard
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Colorado Boulevard
5
Enter roundabout onto Colorado Boulevard
114 ft
·
5 sec
·
Colorado Boulevard
6
Continue on Colorado Boulevard
0.5 mi
·
51 sec
·
Colorado Boulevard
7
Enter roundabout onto Colorado Boulevard
177 ft
·
3 sec
·
Colorado Boulevard
8
Continue on Colorado Boulevard
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
Colorado Boulevard
9
Turn slight right
293 ft
·
10 sec
10
Turn straight onto CO 52
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
CO 52
Use the straight lane.
11
Turn left
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Toward I 25 South: Denver
Use the left lane.
12
Merge onto I 25
7.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 25
0.6 mi
·
36 sec
·
North Valley Highway
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 25
7.0 mi
·
8 min
·
North Valley Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Exit 220
Toward Thornton Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork
210 ft
·
4 sec
Toward Thornton Parkway West, Water World, Thornton Park-n-Ride
17
Turn straight onto Thornton Parkway
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Thornton Parkway
18
Continue on West 92nd Avenue
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
West 92nd Avenue
19
Turn left onto US 287
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Federal Boulevard
Use the left lane.
20
Turn right onto West 80th Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West 80th Avenue
Use the right lane.
21
Turn left onto Lowell Boulevard
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
·
Lowell Boulevard
Use the left lane.
22
Turn right onto West 77th Avenue
0.2 mi
·
41 sec
·
West 77th Avenue
23
Turn right onto Newton Street
114 ft
·
5 sec
·
Newton Street
24
Arrive at destination
Newton Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a short 35-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility with departure times. Leaving mid-morning or early afternoon could help you avoid peak commuter traffic. With only 24 miles and no planned stops, your fuel budget of around $4 should be more than sufficient, but it’s always wise to start with a full tank. Keep an eye out for the transitions between North Valley Highway, Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, and CO 52, as these are key points where you'll need to adjust your navigation. A specific tip for this route: pay close attention to signage when merging onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, as it can feel a bit abrupt coming from local roads.
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 12 miles from Firestone, CO, or about 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 7.6 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 24 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 12 miles or 16m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Westminster, CO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Firestone, 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 Firestone, CO
This is one driving day of about 24 miles and 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Firestone, 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 North Valley Highway for about 7.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 12 mi from Firestone, CO · 16m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
12 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 24 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 12 miles from Firestone, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Westminster, CO
The final approach into Westminster, 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 Westminster, 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
$3.62 one way
$7.23 round trip
$3.83/gal
25.4 MPG avg
8 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.05 | $3.83 | $7.66 |
| premium | $4.39 | $4.15 | $8.30 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $5.30 | $10.60 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$29–$54
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 8.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 63% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 7.2 | 0 | $2.52 | $1.15 |
| Efficient EV | 6 | 0 | $2.10 | $0.96 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 9.6 | 0 | $3.36 | $1.54 |
Gas CO2
8 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (63% 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
Westminster, CO
Late night in Westminster on Wednesday
Local time
5:40 AM
MDT
Current temp
46°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
33 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
35m 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 Firestone, CO to Westminster, CO covers 24 miles and takes about 35m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are North Valley Highway, Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, CO 52. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 12 miles from Firestone, CO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $3.62 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 is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 24 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (1st Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 4.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 12.1 miles (I 25 / North Valley Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Firestone, CO and Westminster, CO, road signs point toward Thornton Parkway West, Water World and Thornton Park-N-Ride.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Westminster, CO
More from Firestone, CO
More trips to Westminster, CO
Explore more options from Firestone, CO or browse trips ending in Westminster, CO.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse CO road trips.
Explore maps for Firestone, CO or Westminster, CO on MapSof.net.