Origin
Lafayette, CO
Evening in Lafayette on Sunday
Local time
5:06 PM
MDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lafayette, CO to Arvada, CO
Drive Time
26m
Distance
14.5 mi
23 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 25m
★
6 AM
0h 27m
8 AM
0h 31m
10 AM
0h 28m
12 PM
0h 28m
3 PM
0h 29m
5 PM
0h 31m
8 PM
0h 25m
★
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lafayette, CO
Matheus Bertelli
Arvada, CO
RDNE Stock project
Trip Overview
If you are looking to travel between Lafayette and Arvada, you are in for a quick, straightforward journey through the Mountain West. Spanning just 14.5 miles, this trip typically takes about 26 minutes behind the wheel. Because the duration is so short, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight logistics. Budgeting around $2 for fuel should be more than enough to cover your needs for this direct route. Whether you are commuting or just heading out for a change of scenery, this drive offers a simple, efficient connection between these two Colorado communities.
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
7.3 miles from Lafayette, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 13m into the drive .
Drive Character
This 14.5-mile trek offers a mixed driving profile that keeps you engaged without being overly demanding. You will navigate a combination of local roads and highways, with highway driving accounting for roughly 32% of your total time on the road. The route relies primarily on South 112th Street, Wadsworth Parkway, and Wadsworth Boulevard to move you toward your destination. You can expect your longest uninterrupted stretch to be 4.2 miles along South 112th Street, which serves as a steady primary segment of the trip. Overall, the transition between these surface streets and the parkway makes for a varied experience compared to a monotonous interstate grind.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
South 112th Street is the longest continuous segment at about 4.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 7 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 14.5 miles you will encounter 7 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: near the start: Navigation decision point; near the start (South Public Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.1 miles (South 112th Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
6
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
South Public Road
Turn left onto South Public Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
1.1 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
South 112th Street
Enter roundabout onto South 112th Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
13.9 mi into trip
|
~25m in
|
Ralston Road
Turn right onto Ralston Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
14.5 mi into trip
|
~26m in
Turn left
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South 112th Street | 4.2 mi | 6m |
| Wadsworth Parkway | 4 mi | 6m |
| Wadsworth Boulevard | 3.1 mi | 5m |
| South Public Road | 1 mi | 2m |
| Wadsworth Bypass | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| CO 121 | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Ralston Road | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Ammons Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
South 112th Street
— 4.2 mi, about 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lafayette, CO and Arvada, CO.
1
Start on this road
206 ft
·
16 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right
50 ft
·
9 sec
3
Turn left onto South Public Road
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
South Public Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Enter roundabout onto South 112th Street
74 ft
·
2 sec
·
South 112th Street
5
Continue on South 112th Street
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
South 112th Street
6
Turn left onto US 287
4.0 mi
·
6 min
·
South 112th Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
7
Continue on CO 121
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
CO 121
Use the none lane.
8
Continue on CO 121
4.0 mi
·
6 min
·
Wadsworth Parkway
Use the left / none lanes.
9
Continue on CO 121
3.1 mi
·
5 min
·
Wadsworth Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on CO 121
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Wadsworth Bypass
Use the none lane.
11
Turn right onto Ralston Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Ralston Road
Use the right lane.
12
Turn right onto Ammons Street
227 ft
·
13 sec
·
Ammons Street
13
Turn left
41 ft
·
3 sec
14
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick 26-minute drive with zero planned stops, you have maximum flexibility regarding your departure time. You can easily fit this trip into your schedule whenever it is most convenient, as there is no need to pace yourself for a long haul. With such a short distance, you won't need to factor in extra rest breaks or complex refueling stops along the way. Keep in mind that your path relies heavily on Wadsworth Parkway and Wadsworth Boulevard, so be prepared for typical local traffic patterns as you transition through these corridors. Use the simplicity of this short route to your advantage by keeping your gear light and your travel plans fluid.
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 7.3 miles from Lafayette, CO, or about 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 4.2 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 14.5 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 7.3 miles or 13m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Arvada, CO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lafayette, 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 Lafayette, CO
This is one driving day of about 14.5 miles and 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Lafayette, 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 South 112th Street for about 4.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 7.3 mi from Lafayette, CO · 13m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
7 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 14.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 7.3 miles from Lafayette, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Arvada, CO
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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$2.20 one way
$4.39 round trip
$3.85/gal
25.4 MPG avg
5 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.08 | $2.33 | $4.66 |
| premium | $4.43 | $2.53 | $5.06 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $3.22 | $6.44 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$27–$52
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 5.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 60% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 4.4 | 0 | $1.52 | $0.70 |
| Efficient EV | 3.6 | 0 | $1.27 | $0.58 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 5.8 | 0 | $2.03 | $0.93 |
Gas CO2
5 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (60% 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
Arvada, CO
Evening in Arvada on Sunday
Local time
5:06 PM
MDT
Current temp
65°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
24 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
26m 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 Lafayette, CO to Arvada, CO covers 14.5 miles and takes about 26m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are South 112th Street, Wadsworth Parkway, Wadsworth Boulevard. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 7.3 miles from Lafayette, CO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $2.20 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 14.5 miles you will encounter 7 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: near the start: Navigation decision point; near the start (South Public Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.1 miles (South 112th Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
The route from Lafayette, CO to Arvada, CO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Arvada, CO
More trips to Arvada, CO
Explore more options from Lafayette, CO or browse trips ending in Arvada, CO.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse CO road trips.
Explore maps for Lafayette, CO or Arvada, CO on MapSof.net.