Drive Time
16m
Distance
8.2 mi
13 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$1
one way
The drive from Lakewood, CO to Applewood, CO covers 8.2 miles and takes about 16m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on West 6th Avenue Freeway, West 20th Avenue, Simms Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 2.2 miles on West 6th Avenue Freeway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $1.24 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
4.1 miles from Lakewood, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 6m into the drive .
Expect a 16m drive with frequent turns across 8.2 miles of local and secondary roads.
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
Total Climb
451 ft
Total Descent
391 ft
Highest Point
5,685 ft
~4.1 mi in
Elevation Range
253 ft
Notable High Points
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.5 miles in.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 8.2 miles you will encounter 8 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 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 3.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Take the ramp toward US 6 West
Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto US 6 / West 6th Avenue Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Simms Street, Union Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward Simms Street, 8th Avenue West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn right onto CR 18 / Eldridge Street
Navigation decision point
On the drive from Lakewood, CO to Applewood, CO, road signs begin pointing toward 8Th Avenue West along the way.
8Th Avenue West
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| West 6th Avenue Freeway | 2.2 mi | 2m |
| West 20th Avenue | 1.5 mi | 3m |
| Simms Street | 1.5 mi | 3m |
| South Wadsworth Boulevard | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Eldridge Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Berry Road | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Garden Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Lakewood, CO and Applewood, CO.
Start on CO 121
Take the ramp
Merge onto US 6
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn straight onto Simms Street
Turn left onto West 20th Avenue
Continue on West 20th Avenue
Turn right onto CR 18
Turn left onto Berry Road
Continue on Garden Road
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 8.2 miles or 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 4.1 miles or 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 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Applewood, CO than in the middle of the route.
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 8.2 miles and 16m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 4.1 mi from Lakewood, CO · 6m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
4 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 8.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 4.1 miles from Lakewood, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Applewood, 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 Applewood, CO.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$1.24 one way
$2.49 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.08 | $1.32 | $2.64 |
| premium | $4.43 | $1.43 | $2.86 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $1.82 | $3.64 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$26–$51
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 2.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 2.5 | 0 | $0.86 | $0.39 |
| Efficient EV | 2.1 | 0 | $0.72 | $0.33 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 3.3 | 0 | $1.15 | $0.52 |
Gas CO2
3 kg
EV CO2
1 kg (67% 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
Evening in Lakewood on Saturday
Local time
6:08 PM
MDT
Current temp
64°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Evening in Applewood on Saturday
Local time
6:08 PM
MDT
Current temp
63°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
64°F
Wheat Ridge, CO
4 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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