Origin
Lakewood, CO
Evening in Lakewood on Sunday
Local time
5:08 PM
MDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lakewood, CO to Edwards, CO
Drive Time
2h 6m
Distance
106 mi
171 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
1h 57m
★
6 AM
2h 6m
8 AM
2h 24m
10 AM
2h 12m
12 PM
2h 11m
3 PM
2h 13m
5 PM
2h 23m
8 PM
2h 1m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lakewood, CO
Cedric Fauntleroy
Edwards, CO
RDNE Stock project
Trip Overview
Spanning 106 miles through the heart of the Colorado Mountain West, this trip from Lakewood to Edwards is a straightforward journey typically taking about 2 hours and 6 minutes. Because the drive is highly efficient, it serves perfectly as a one-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $16 for fuel to cover the distance. Navigating out of Lakewood via South Wadsworth Boulevard and the West 6th Avenue Freeway connects you quickly to the primary artery of this route. It is a practical, no-nonsense drive that keeps you moving across the state, making it an ideal choice if you prioritize reaching your destination quickly and reliably.
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
53 miles from Lakewood, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 3m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip is heavily highway-focused, with 97% of your travel occurring on major thoroughfares. You will spend the vast majority of your time on I-70, which accounts for a significant 97.7-mile stretch of the journey. Expect a fast-paced experience where the road demands your full attention as you transition from the metro area into the mountain terrain. While the route lacks technical local roads, the sheer length of the interstate segment defines the character of the trip. Behind the wheel, you will feel the consistency of the highway as you maintain steady speeds for the duration of the drive.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 14 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 97.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 70 and West 6th Avenue Freeway. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 1.5 miles in.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 2h 6m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 1.6 miles (US 6 / West 6th Avenue Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 6.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
1.5 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Take the ramp toward US 6 West
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward US 6 West
5
1.6 mi into trip
|
~3m 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 lane.
6
6.8 mi into trip
|
~9m in
Take the exit toward I 70 West: Grand Junction
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 70 West: Grand Junction
5
7.4 mi into trip
|
~10m in
|
I 70
Merge onto I 70
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
6
105.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 4m in
|
I 70 Business / Edwards Access Road
Enter roundabout onto I 70 Business / Edwards Access Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 70 | 97.7 mi | 1h 54m |
| West 6th Avenue Freeway | 5.2 mi | 6m |
| South Wadsworth Boulevard | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Edwards Access Road | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 70
— 97.7 mi, about 1h 54m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lakewood, CO and Edwards, CO.
1
Start on CO 121
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
South Wadsworth Boulevard
Use the none lane.
2
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
Toward US 6 West
Use the right lane.
3
Merge onto US 6
5.2 mi
·
6 min
·
West 6th Avenue Freeway
Use the none lane.
4
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
55 sec
Toward I 70 West: Grand Junction
Use the slight right lane.
5
Merge onto I 70
98 mi
·
1 hr 54 min
·
I 70
Use the none lane.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Toward Edwards
7
Enter roundabout onto I 70 Business
250 ft
·
5 sec
·
Edwards Access Road
8
Continue on I 70 Business
314 ft
·
6 sec
·
Edwards Access Road
9
Enter roundabout onto I 70 Business
106 ft
·
2 sec
·
Edwards Access Road
10
Continue on I 70 Business
301 ft
·
6 sec
·
Edwards Access Road
11
Enter roundabout onto I 70 Business
76 ft
·
1 sec
·
Edwards Access Road
12
Continue on I 70 Business
0.4 mi
·
40 sec
·
Edwards Access Road
13
Turn right
211 ft
·
15 sec
14
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given that this route is a relatively short two-hour sprint, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time to avoid peak traffic. Since there are no mandatory stops listed, you can easily complete the entire 106-mile trek in one go without needing to plan for breaks. However, always be mindful of the high-speed nature of I-70, as the nearly 98-mile interstate stretch requires constant focus. Check local traffic reports before you leave Lakewood, as mountain transit can be unpredictable. Keeping your fuel tank topped off before leaving the urban area ensures you won't have to worry about stops while navigating the long, uninterrupted interstate section.
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 53 miles from Lakewood, CO, or about 1h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 97.7 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 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 53 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 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Edwards, CO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lakewood, 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 Lakewood, CO
This is one driving day of about 106 miles and 2h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Lakewood, 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 I 70 for about 97.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 53 mi from Lakewood, 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 53 miles from Lakewood, 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 97.7 miles.
Arriving in Edwards, CO
The final approach into Edwards, 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 Edwards, 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
$16.06 one way
$32.13 round trip
$3.85/gal
25.4 MPG avg
37 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.08 | $17.04 | $34.09 |
| premium | $4.43 | $18.50 | $37.00 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $23.55 | $47.10 |
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: 37.1 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 | 31.8 | 0 | $11.13 | $5.09 |
| Efficient EV | 26.5 | 0 | $9.27 | $4.24 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 42.4 | 0 | $14.84 | $6.78 |
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
Edwards, CO
Evening in Edwards on Sunday
Local time
5:08 PM
MDT
Current temp
54°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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 6m 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 Lakewood, CO to Edwards, CO covers 106 miles and takes about 2h 6m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 70, West 6th Avenue Freeway, South Wadsworth Boulevard. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 53 miles from Lakewood, CO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $16.06 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 straightforward 2h 6m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 1.6 miles (US 6 / West 6th Avenue Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 6.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Lakewood, CO to Edwards, CO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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