Origin
Lochbuie, CO
Evening in Lochbuie on Friday
Local time
7:02 PM
MDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lochbuie, CO to Denver, CO
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
36m
Distance
26.1 mi
42 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
EV Charging
Good
6 stations
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 33m
★
6 AM
0h 36m
8 AM
0h 42m
10 AM
0h 38m
12 PM
0h 38m
3 PM
0h 38m
5 PM
0h 42m
8 PM
0h 34m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lochbuie, CO
Wikimedia Commons
Denver, CO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This straightforward 26.1-mile drive from Lochbuie to Denver, Colorado, is easily manageable in just 36 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. You'll primarily navigate the Heartland Expressway and North Valley Highway before reaching North Broadway. With a modest fuel cost estimated at $4, this route focuses on efficient travel. The drive takes you from the Mountain West region further into the same region, offering a quick connection between these Colorado locales. Consider this a simple, no-fuss journey ideal for those looking to reach Denver without a lengthy commitment.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 36m. Total distance: 26.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (72%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for this trip, with 72% of the journey utilizing major roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch spans 18.8 miles on the Heartland Expressway, providing a consistent pace for a significant portion of your travel. While mainly on expressways, the final leg on North Broadway may offer a slightly different feel as you approach Denver. The overall character is one of efficient transit, designed for covering ground quickly rather than for leisurely sightseeing.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Heartland Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 18.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Heartland Expressway and North Valley Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near East 168th Avenue.
Driving Effort
8/10
Focused - busy navigation packed into a short drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 11 decision points packed into just 26.1 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 36m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (East 168th Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 19.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 23.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.5 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
East 168th Avenue
Enter roundabout onto East 168th Avenue
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
7
19.7 mi into trip
|
~22m in
Take the exit toward I 25 South: Denver
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 5
Toward I 25 South: Denver
8
23.1 mi into trip
|
~27m in
Take the exit toward 38th Avenue, Park Avenue, Downtown
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 213
Toward 38th Avenue, Park Avenue, Downtown
9
23.3 mi into trip
|
~27m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Park Avenue, Downtown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward Park Avenue, Downtown
7
26.1 mi into trip
|
~35m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Lochbuie, CO to Denver, CO, road signs begin pointing toward Downtown along the way.
Downtown
23.1 mi in
|
~27m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Heartland Expressway | 18.8 mi | 20m |
| North Valley Highway | 2.3 mi | 3m |
| North Broadway | 1 mi | 3m |
| Park Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Park Avenue West | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| County Road 37 | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| West 22nd Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| East 14th Avenue | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Heartland Expressway
— 18.8 mi, about 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lochbuie, CO and Denver, CO.
1
Start on County Road 37
0.4 mi
·
58 sec
·
County Road 37
2
At end of road, turn right onto I-76 Frontage Road
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
I-76 Frontage Road
3
Enter roundabout onto East 168th Avenue
252 ft
·
5 sec
·
East 168th Avenue
4
Continue on East 168th Avenue
109 ft
·
2 sec
·
East 168th Avenue
5
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
Toward I 76 West
6
Merge onto I 76
19 mi
·
20 min
·
Heartland Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
Exit 5
Toward I 25 South: Denver
Use the slight right lane.
8
Continue on this road
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
this road
Toward I 25 south: Denver
9
Merge onto I 25; US 87
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
North Valley Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 213
Toward 38th Avenue, Park Avenue, Downtown
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
Toward Park Avenue, Downtown
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on Park Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Park Avenue
13
Turn straight onto Park Avenue West
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Park Avenue West
14
Continue on West 22nd Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
West 22nd Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Turn right onto North Broadway
1.0 mi
·
3 min
·
North Broadway
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Turn left onto East 14th Avenue
0.1 mi
·
29 sec
·
East 14th Avenue
Use the left lane.
17
Turn left
358 ft
·
27 sec
Use the straight / left lanes.
18
Arrive at destination
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$3.93 one way
$7.86 round trip
$3.83/gal
25.4 MPG avg
9 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.05 | $4.16 | $8.33 |
| premium | $4.39 | $4.52 | $9.03 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $5.76 | $11.53 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$4
Estimated CO2 emission: 9.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 7.8 | 0 | $2.74 | $1.25 |
| Efficient EV | 6.5 | 0 | $2.28 | $1.04 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 10.4 | 0 | $3.65 | $1.67 |
Gas CO2
9 kg
EV CO2
3 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.
Destination
Denver, CO
Evening in Denver on Friday
Local time
7:02 PM
MDT
Current temp
46°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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
36m 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 Lochbuie, CO to Denver, CO covers 26.1 miles and takes about 36m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Heartland Expressway, North Valley Highway, North Broadway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 13.1 miles from Lochbuie, CO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $3.93 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 short but busy drive. With 11 decision points packed into just 26.1 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 36m.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (East 168th Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 19.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 23.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Lochbuie, CO to Denver, CO, road signs begin pointing toward Downtown along the way.
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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