Origin
Hayden, CO
Morning in Hayden on Saturday
Local time
7:31 AM
MDT
Current temp
34°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Hayden, CO to Aurora, CO
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 11m
Distance
194.6 mi
313 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
EV Charging
Excellent
23 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 58m
★
6 AM
4h 11m
8 AM
4h 37m
10 AM
4h 20m
12 PM
4h 18m
3 PM
4h 22m
5 PM
4h 36m
8 PM
4h 3m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hayden, CO
Thirdman
Aurora, CO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Hayden, CO to Aurora, CO covers 194.6 miles and takes about 4h 11m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 70, US 40, Colorado River Headwaters Scenic Byway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 76.4 miles on I 70. At current regular gas prices, budget about $29.34 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
97.3 miles from Hayden, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 6m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 11m. Total distance: 194.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Drive Character
This is a 4h 11m highway drive covering 194.6 miles, with most of the trip on I 70 and US 40. The longest continuous stretch is about 76.4 miles on I 70.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 70 is the longest continuous segment at about 76.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 70 and US 40. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 113.9 miles in near CO 9.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 194.6 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 113.9 miles (CO 9): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 177.2 miles (I 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 182.6 miles (I 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
113.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 30m in
|
CO 9
Take the exit onto CO 9 toward I 70 East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 70 East
7
177.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 46m in
|
I 70
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70 toward I 70 East: Denver
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 70 East: Denver
6
182.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 53m in
|
I 70
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
190.5 mi into trip
|
~4h 4m in
Take the exit toward I 225 South: Aurora, Colorado Springs
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 282
Toward I 225 South: Aurora, Colorado Springs
7
193.7 mi into trip
|
~4h 8m in
Take the exit toward CO 30: 6th Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 9
Toward CO 30: 6th Avenue
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 70 | 76.4 mi | 1h 33m |
| US 40 | 47.4 mi | 1h |
| Colorado River Headwaters Scenic Byway | 30.6 mi | 40m |
| West Jefferson Avenue | 29.1 mi | 37m |
| CO 9 | 5.6 mi | 9m |
| I 225 | 2.2 mi | 2m |
| Tyler Avenue | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| East 6th Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 70
— 76.4 mi, about 1h 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hayden, CO and Aurora, CO.
1
Start on US 40
29 mi
·
37 min
·
West Jefferson Avenue
2
Continue on US 40
0.6 mi
·
50 sec
·
US 40
3
Continue on US 40
47 mi
·
1 hr
·
US 40
4
Turn right onto CO 9
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
South 6th Street
Use the right lane.
5
Continue on CO 9
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Tyler Avenue
6
Continue on CO 9
31 mi
·
40 min
·
Colorado River Headwaters Scenic Byway
7
Continue on CO 9
5.3 mi
·
9 min
·
CO 9
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on US 6
0.1 mi
·
25 sec
·
US 6
9
Take the exit onto CO 9
0.3 mi
·
24 sec
·
CO 9
Toward I 70 East
Use the left lane.
10
Merge onto I 70
63 mi
·
1 hr 15 min
·
I 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70
5.3 mi
·
7 min
·
I 70
Toward I 70 East: Denver
Use the right lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70
8.0 mi
·
10 min
·
I 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
1 min
Exit 282
Toward I 225 South: Aurora, Colorado Springs
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 225
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
I 225
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 9
Toward CO 30: 6th Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
16
Turn right onto CO 30
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
·
East 6th Avenue
Use the right lane.
17
Turn right onto Vaughn Street
257 ft
·
12 sec
·
Vaughn Street
18
Turn right onto North Zion Street
509 ft
·
27 sec
·
North Zion Street
19
Turn left onto North Vaughn Street
0.2 mi
·
43 sec
·
North Vaughn Street
20
Arrive at destination
North Vaughn Street
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 97.3 miles from Hayden, CO, or about 2h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 76.4 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 43 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 97.3 miles or 2h 6m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Aurora, CO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Hayden, 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 Hayden, CO
This is one driving day of about 194.6 miles and 4h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 miles from Hayden, 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.
The longest stretch is on I 70 for about 76.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 97.3 mi from Hayden, CO · 2h 6m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
97 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 43 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 97.3 miles from Hayden, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 70 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 76.4 miles.
Arriving in Aurora, CO
The final approach into Aurora, 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 Aurora, 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
$29.34 one way
$58.67 round trip
$3.83/gal
25.4 MPG avg
68 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.05 | $31.06 | $62.12 |
| premium | $4.39 | $33.68 | $67.36 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $42.99 | $85.97 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 68.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
23 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent
Outlets At Silverthorne - Tesla Supercharger
Silverthorne, CO
Tesla
12 DCFC
AC Hotel - Tesla Supercharger
Frisco, CO
Tesla
12 DCFC
Idaho Springs, CO
Idaho Springs, CO
RIVIAN_ADVENTURE
10 DCFC
Kum & Go #0909 - Tesla Supercharger
Kremmling, CO
Tesla
8 DCFC
Kum & Go - Tesla Supercharger
Silverthorne, CO
Tesla
8 DCFC
Kum & Go - Tesla Supercharger
Idaho Springs, CO
Tesla
8 DCFC
2001 Colorado Boulevard
Idaho Springs, CO
LOOP
6 DCFC
910 Yampa St
Steamboat Springs, CO
LOOP
4 DCFC
ChargePoint Network: 14
Tesla: 5
LOOP: 2
Electrify America: 1
RIVIAN_ADVENTURE: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 58.4 | 0 | $20.43 | $9.34 |
| Efficient EV | 48.7 | 0 | $17.03 | $7.78 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 77.8 | 0 | $27.24 | $12.45 |
Gas CO2
68 kg
EV CO2
23 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
Aurora, CO
Morning in Aurora on Saturday
Local time
7:31 AM
MDT
Current temp
47°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
13 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
4h 11m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Hayden, CO to Aurora, CO covers 194.6 miles and takes about 4h 11m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 70, US 40, Colorado River Headwaters Scenic Byway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 97.3 miles from Hayden, CO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $29.32 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 194.6 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 113.9 miles (CO 9): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 177.2 miles (I 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 182.6 miles (I 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Hayden, CO to Aurora, CO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NREL for EV charging. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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