Origin
Las Animas, CO
Late night in Las Animas on Saturday
Local time
5:16 AM
MDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Las Animas, CO to Arvada, CO
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 26m
Distance
203.7 mi
328 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$31
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 13m
★
6 AM
4h 27m
8 AM
4h 53m
10 AM
4h 36m
12 PM
4h 33m
3 PM
4h 37m
5 PM
4h 52m
8 PM
4h 19m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Las Animas, CO
RDNE Stock project
Arvada, CO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Las Animas to Arvada is 203.7 miles and takes about 4h 26m via Ronald Reagan Highway and US 50, with a fuel budget near $31 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Colorado, taking you from the Mountain West region to another part of the Mountain West. Expect a route that involves a good amount of turning, so it's not a simple point-and-go journey. If you're looking for a straightforward, single-day trip with a manageable fuel cost, this route fits the bill.
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
101.9 miles from Las Animas, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 31m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 26m. Total distance: 203.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
This drive is characterized as a turn-heavy local drive, with only 29% of the route on highways. You'll experience a dynamic road personality, shifting between faster highway sections and more intricate local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 87.8 miles on Ronald Reagan Highway, offering a period of steady travel before you encounter more frequent turns. Be prepared for a driving experience that requires attention to navigation as you transition between different road types.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 27 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Ronald Reagan Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 87.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 18 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near US 50 / Ambassador Thompson Boulevard.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 203.7 miles you will encounter 18 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 0.1 miles (US 50 / Ambassador Thompson Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 47.8 miles (CO 167 / South Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 78 miles (Paul Harvey Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 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
|
US 50 / Ambassador Thompson Boulevard
Turn right onto US 50 / Ambassador Thompson Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
6
47.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 20m in
|
CO 167 / South Main Street
Turn right onto CO 167 / South Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
78 mi into trip
|
~2h 3m in
|
Paul Harvey Boulevard
Turn right onto Paul Harvey Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
8
196.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 13m in
Take the exit toward I 70: Limon, Grand Junction
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 214A
Toward I 70: Limon, Grand Junction
7
200.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 20m in
Take the exit toward CO 95: Sheridan Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 271A
Toward CO 95: Sheridan Boulevard
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Ronald Reagan Highway | 87.8 mi | 1h 34m |
| US 50 | 26.2 mi | 43m |
| CO 96 | 20.7 mi | 27m |
| Ambassador Thompson Boulevard | 19.8 mi | 33m |
| John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway | 12.9 mi | 12m |
| West 3rd Street | 9.3 mi | 15m |
| Monument Valley Freeway | 8.5 mi | 9m |
| César Chávez Memorial Highway | 3.8 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
Ronald Reagan Highway
— 87.8 mi, about 1h 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Las Animas, CO and Arvada, CO.
1
Start on Elm Avenue
0.1 mi
·
29 sec
·
Elm Avenue
2
Turn right onto US 50
20 mi
·
33 min
·
Ambassador Thompson Boulevard
Use the straight / left lanes.
3
Continue on US 50
9.3 mi
·
15 min
·
West 3rd Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Continue on US 50
19 mi
·
31 min
·
US 50
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Turn right onto CO 167
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
South Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Turn left onto CO 96
21 mi
·
27 min
·
CO 96
7
Continue on US 50; CO 96
7.6 mi
·
12 min
·
US 50; CO 96
Use the straight lane.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Use the slight right lane.
9
Turn right onto Paul Harvey Boulevard
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
·
Paul Harvey Boulevard
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
10
At end of road, turn left onto William White Boulevard
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
William White Boulevard
11
Turn right onto CO 47
3.8 mi
·
5 min
·
César Chávez Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Toward I 25 North: Denver
13
Merge onto I 25
1.8 mi
·
1 min
·
North Freeway
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on I 25
13 mi
·
12 min
·
John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 25
23 mi
·
23 min
·
Ronald Reagan Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on I 25; US 24
8.5 mi
·
9 min
·
Monument Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on I 25
65 mi
·
1 hr 10 min
·
Ronald Reagan Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
Exit 214A
Toward I 70: Limon, Grand Junction
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on Grand Army of the Republic Highway
0.6 mi
·
42 sec
·
Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Toward I 70
20
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 70 West: Grand Junction
21
Merge onto I 70
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
I 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Exit 271A
Toward CO 95: Sheridan Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Turn right onto CO 95
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Sheridan Boulevard
Use the right lane.
24
Turn left onto Ralston Road
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Ralston Road
Use the left lane.
25
Turn right onto Ammons Street
227 ft
·
13 sec
·
Ammons Street
26
Turn left
41 ft
·
3 sec
27
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 26m duration, leaving in the morning from Las Animas will allow ample time to reach Arvada before evening. The single stop suggested is a good opportunity to stretch your legs and refuel if needed, though the longest stretch of 87.8 miles means you won't be stopping constantly. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility in your departure time. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you move onto non-highway sections where services might be less frequent.
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 101.9 miles from Las Animas, CO, or about 2h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 87.8 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 45 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 101.9 miles or 2h 31m 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 41m
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 Las Animas, 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 Las Animas, CO
This is one driving day of about 203.7 miles and 4h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Las Animas, 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 Ronald Reagan Highway for about 87.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 101.9 mi from Las Animas, CO · 2h 31m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
102 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 45 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 101.9 miles from Las Animas, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Ronald Reagan Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 87.8 miles.
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
$30.69 one way
$61.38 round trip
$3.83/gal
25.4 MPG avg
71 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.05 | $32.50 | $64.99 |
| premium | $4.39 | $35.24 | $70.48 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $44.97 | $89.95 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 61.1 | 0 | $21.39 | $9.78 |
| Efficient EV | 50.9 | 0 | $17.82 | $8.15 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 81.5 | 1 | $28.52 | $13.04 |
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 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
Arvada, CO
Late night in Arvada on Saturday
Local time
5:16 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
2 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
4h 26m 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 Las Animas, CO to Arvada, CO covers 203.7 miles and takes about 4h 26m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Ronald Reagan Highway, US 50, CO 96. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 101.9 miles from Las Animas, CO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $30.69 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 203.7 miles you will encounter 18 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: at 0.1 miles (US 50 / Ambassador Thompson Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 47.8 miles (CO 167 / South Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 78 miles (Paul Harvey Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Las Animas, CO to Arvada, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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