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Trip from Mountain Village, CO to Lakewood, CO

Drive Time

7h 18m

Distance

357.5 mi

575 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$54

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 32 min
4 AM
7h 8m ★
6 AM
7h 19m
8 AM
7h 40m
10 AM
7h 26m
12 PM
7h 24m
3 PM
7h 27m
5 PM
7h 39m
8 PM
7h 12m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Lakewood, CO, CO

Lakewood, CO

Cedric Fauntleroy

Trip Overview

The drive from Mountain Village, CO to Lakewood, CO covers 357.5 miles and takes about 7h 18m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 70 BUS, US 50, US 550 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 226.5 miles on I 70 BUS. At current regular gas prices, budget about $54.17 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

178.8 miles from Mountain Village, CO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 55m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 7h 18m highway drive covering 357.5 miles, with most of the trip on I 70 BUS and US 50. The longest continuous stretch is about 226.5 miles on I 70 BUS.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 27 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 70 BUS is the longest continuous segment at about 226.5 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 70 BUS and US 50. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.1 miles in near CO 145.

Route Complexity 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 357.5 miles you will encounter 15 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 2.1 miles (CO 145): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here; at 39.8 miles (US 550): Lane positioning matters here; at 87.7 miles (West 5th Street): Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 15 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

7
2.1 mi into trip | ~5m in | CO 145

Turn sharp right onto CO 145

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
6
39.8 mi into trip | ~1h 1m in | US 550

Turn left onto US 550

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.
6
87.7 mi into trip | ~2h 4m in | West 5th Street

Turn left onto West 5th Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
7
125.3 mi into trip | ~2h 55m in | I 70 BUS

Keep slight right at fork onto I 70 BUS toward I 70 East: Denver

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 70 East: Denver
8
350.7 mi into trip | ~7h 8m in

Take the exit toward US 6 East: 6th Avenue, Lakewood

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 261 Toward US 6 East: 6th Avenue, Lakewood

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 70 BUS 226.5 mi 4h 14m
US 50 43.5 mi 52m
US 550 29.9 mi 40m
CO 62 23.3 mi 31m
CO 145 14.4 mi 24m
32 Road 5.4 mi 9m
West 6th Avenue Freeway 4.9 mi 5m
G Road 2.3 mi 4m
Longest stretch: I 70 BUS — 226.5 mi, about 4h 14m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Mountain Village, CO and Lakewood, CO.

1

Start on Gold Hill Court

357 ft · 16 sec · Gold Hill Court
2

At end of road, turn right onto Hang Glider Drive

0.2 mi · 37 sec · Hang Glider Drive
3

Turn right onto Benchmark Drive

0.3 mi · 1 min · Benchmark Drive
4

At end of road, turn left onto Mountain Village Boulevard

1.5 mi · 3 min · Mountain Village Boulevard
5

Turn sharp right onto CO 145

1.7 mi · 2 min · CO 145
Use the straight lane.
6

Enter roundabout onto CO 145

134 ft · 2 sec · CO 145
7

Continue on CO 145

13 mi · 21 min · CO 145
8

At end of road, turn right onto CO 62

23 mi · 31 min · CO 62
9

Turn left onto US 550

30 mi · 40 min · US 550
Use the straight / right lanes.
10

Continue on US 50

17 mi · 20 min · US 50
11

Turn left onto Confluence Drive

0.8 mi · 1 min · Confluence Drive
Use the left lane.
12

Turn left onto West 5th Street

0.2 mi · 26 sec · West 5th Street
Use the left lane.
13

Continue on G Road

1.6 mi · 3 min · G Road
14

Continue on G Road

0.7 mi · 1 min · G Road
15

Continue on G50 Road

2.1 mi · 3 min · G50 Road
16

At end of road, turn left onto US 50

15 mi · 17 min · US 50
17

Continue on US 50

12 mi · 14 min · US 50
18

Continue on CO 141

5.4 mi · 9 min · 32 Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
19

Turn right onto I 70 BUS; US 6

0.3 mi · 34 sec · I 70 BUS; US 6
20

Continue on I 70 BUS; US 6

0.8 mi · 1 min · I 70 BUS; US 6
21

Keep slight right at fork onto I 70 BUS

225 mi · 4 hr 12 min · I 70 BUS
Toward I 70 East: Denver Use the slight right lane.
22

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 43 sec
Exit 261 Toward US 6 East: 6th Avenue, Lakewood Use the slight right lane.
23

Merge onto US 6

4.9 mi · 5 min · West 6th Avenue Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 26 sec
Toward CO 121 South: Wadsworth Boulevard Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25

Turn slight right onto CO 121

1.4 mi · 2 min · North Wadsworth Boulevard
26

Continue on CO 121

369 ft · 15 sec · South Wadsworth Boulevard
Use the left lane.
27

Arrive at destination

CO 121

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 178.8 miles from Mountain Village, CO, or about 3h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 226.5 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 54m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 178.8 miles or 3h 55m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 6h 9m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lakewood, CO than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Mountain Village, 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.

+

Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Mountain Village, CO

This is one driving day of about 357.5 miles and 7h 18m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Mountain Village, CO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 70 BUS for about 226.5 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 178.8 mi from Mountain Village, CO · 3h 55m into the drive

Downtown Aspen, CO, CO

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Aspen, CO

179 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

Grand Junction, CO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Aspen, CO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 160.5 miles from Mountain Village, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Lakewood, CO

The final approach into Lakewood, 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 Lakewood, CO.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park

Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park

National Park

Big enough to be overwhelming, yet still intimate enough to feel the pulse of time. Come see some of the steepest cliffs, oldest rock, and craggiest spires in North America. Forces of nature and the G...

13 mi from route ~32 min detour $30 near mile 74
Park Closure: Winter Closures
Park Closure: Long-term Closures Due to Wildfires
View on nps.gov
Colorado National Monument

Colorado National Monument

National Monument

Colorado National Monument preserves one of the grand landscapes of the American West. But this treasure is much more than a monument. Towering monoliths exist within a vast plateau and canyon panoram...

13 mi from route ~31 min detour $25 near mile 123.3
View on nps.gov
Curecanti National Recreation Area

Curecanti National Recreation Area

National Recreation Area

Three reservoirs and surrounding lands make up this recreation area in western Colorado. It is a landscape of tradeoffs; natural and human made features exist together. Geologic wonders are abundant f...

27 mi from route ~68 min detour Free near mile 49.3
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$54.17 one way

$108.35 round trip

$3.85/gal 25.4 MPG avg 125 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.08 $57.48 $114.96
premium $4.43 $62.39 $124.79
diesel $5.64 $79.42 $158.85

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$54

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$79–$104

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 125.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $38 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 107.3 1 $37.54 $17.16
Efficient EV 89.4 1 $31.28 $14.30
EV Truck/SUV 143 1 $50.05 $22.88

Gas CO2

125 kg

EV CO2

42 kg (66% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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.

Forecast data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Mountain Village, CO

Morning in Mountain Village on Monday

Local time

9:36 AM

MDT

Current temp

50°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Lakewood, CO

Morning in Lakewood on Monday

Local time

9:36 AM

MDT

Current temp

64°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

14 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

7h 18m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Mountain Village, CO to Lakewood, CO covers 357.5 miles and takes about 7h 18m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 70 BUS, US 50, US 550. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 178.8 miles from Mountain Village, CO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $54.17 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 2 meaningful breaks 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 357.5 miles you will encounter 15 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 2.1 miles (CO 145): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here; at 39.8 miles (US 550): Lane positioning matters here; at 87.7 miles (West 5th Street): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Mountain Village, CO to Lakewood, CO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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