Origin
Littleton, CO
Night in Littleton on Wednesday
Local time
9:32 PM
MDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Littleton, CO to Boulder, CO
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
47m
Distance
37.9 mi
61 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 43m
★
6 AM
0h 47m
8 AM
0h 55m
10 AM
0h 50m
12 PM
0h 49m
3 PM
0h 50m
5 PM
0h 55m
8 PM
0h 45m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Littleton, CO
Wikimedia Commons
Boulder, CO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Littleton, CO to Boulder, CO covers 37.9 miles and takes about 47m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on South Nevada Street, West Main Street, US 85 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $5.71 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
This drive is short enough that no stops are needed.
Midpoint
18.9 miles from Littleton, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 23m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a 47m drive with frequent turns across 37.9 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
South Nevada Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Littleton, CO to Boulder, CO is easy. At 47m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Littleton, CO to Boulder, CO is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South Nevada Street | — | — |
| West Main Street | — | — |
| US 85 | — | — |
| South Santa Fe Drive | — | — |
| I 25 North | — | — |
| South Valley Highway | — | — |
| US 36 West | — | — |
| Denver–Boulder Turnpike | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
South Nevada Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Littleton, CO and Boulder, CO.
1
Start on the route
36 ft
·
5 sec
·
the route
2
Turn right
157 ft
·
14 sec
3
Turn right onto South Nevada Street
177 ft
·
15 sec
·
South Nevada Street
4
Turn left onto West Main Street
0.1 mi
·
29 sec
·
West Main Street
5
Take the ramp slight left toward US 85
381 ft
·
10 sec
·
US 85
6
Merge slight left onto South Santa Fe Drive
6.4 mi
·
7 min
·
South Santa Fe Drive
7
Take the exit slight right toward I 25 North: Fort Collins
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
I 25 North: Fort Collins
8
Merge slight left onto South Valley Highway
8.5 mi
·
11 min
·
South Valley Highway
9
Take the exit slight left toward US 36 West: Westminster, Boulder
0.6 mi
·
52 sec
·
US 36 West: Westminster, Boulder
10
Merge slight right onto Denver–Boulder Turnpike
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
11
Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
12
Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
13
Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
14
Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
15
Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
16
Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
17
Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
18
Keep slight left to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
19
Continue on 28th Street
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
28th Street
20
Turn left onto Arapahoe Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Arapahoe Avenue
21
Turn right onto 19th Street
144 ft
·
11 sec
·
19th Street
22
Turn left
89 ft
·
5 sec
23
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
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 18.9 miles from Littleton, CO, or about 23m into the drive.
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 37.9 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 18.9 miles or 23m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Boulder, CO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Have your navigation ready before leaving Littleton, CO.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Littleton, CO
This is one driving day of about 37.9 miles and 47m.
At 37.9 miles this is a quick drive — no planned stops needed.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 18.9 mi from Littleton, CO · 23m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
19 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 37.9 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 18.9 miles from Littleton, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Boulder, CO
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Boulder, CO if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$5.71 one way
$11.42 round trip
$3.83/gal
25.4 MPG avg
13 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.05 | $6.05 | $12.09 |
| premium | $4.39 | $6.56 | $13.11 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $8.37 | $16.74 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$31–$56
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 13.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 11.4 | 0 | $3.98 | $1.82 |
| Efficient EV | 9.5 | 0 | $3.32 | $1.52 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 15.2 | 0 | $5.31 | $2.43 |
Gas CO2
13 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (69% 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
Boulder, CO
Night in Boulder on Wednesday
Local time
9:32 PM
MDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
25 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
47m 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 Littleton, CO to Boulder, CO covers 37.9 miles and takes about 47m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are South Nevada Street, West Main Street, US 85. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 18.9 miles from Littleton, CO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $5.71 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.
The drive from Littleton, CO to Boulder, CO is easy. At 47m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Littleton, CO to Boulder, CO is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Littleton, CO to Boulder, CO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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