Origin
Palisade, CO
Evening in Palisade on Sunday
Local time
5:16 PM
MDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Palisade, CO to Denver, CO
Drive Time
3h 48m
Distance
232.3 mi
374 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$35
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 36m
★
6 AM
3h 48m
8 AM
4h 14m
10 AM
3h 57m
12 PM
3h 55m
3 PM
3h 58m
5 PM
4h 12m
8 PM
3h 41m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Denver, CO
MINEIA MARTINS
Trip Overview
Traveling from Palisade to Denver covers 232.3 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 48 minutes of drive time. Because the duration is relatively manageable, this route works perfectly as a single-day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $32 on fuel for the journey across the Mountain West. The route relies on local roads rather than major interstates, utilizing G Road, the Grand Army of the Republic Highway, and the Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway. It is a straightforward, practical connection between these two Colorado locations, offering a consistent pace for those who prefer to keep moving toward their destination.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
116.1 miles from Palisade, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 54m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate grind, this route features a 0% highway share, placing you entirely on secondary roads. Because the longest stretch on G Road is 0 miles, you will find yourself navigating constant transitions rather than long, straightaways. The road's personality is defined by its technical nature, requiring you to stay alert through the various turns along the Grand Army of the Republic Highway and the Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway. This is a hands-on driving experience that keeps you engaged with the road from start to finish.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
G Road 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. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 3h 48m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Palisade, CO to Denver, CO is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| G Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Grand Army of the Republic Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Beaver Tail Tunnel | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Gerald R | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 6 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| West 6th Avenue Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
G Road
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Palisade, CO and Denver, CO.
1
Start on Main Street
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
·
Main Street
2
At the end of the road, turn left onto G Road
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
G Road
3
Continue on Grand Army of the Republic Highway
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Grand Army of the Republic Highway
4
Take the ramp straight
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
5
Merge slight right onto Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
6.3 mi
·
7 min
·
Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
6
Continue on Beaver Tail Tunnel
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
Beaver Tail Tunnel
7
Continue on Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
79 mi
·
1 hr 25 min
·
Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
8
Continue on Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
9
Continue on Gerald R. Ford Memorial Highway
61 mi
·
1 hr 5 min
·
Gerald R. Ford Memorial Highway
10
Continue on Grand Army of the Republic Highway
70 mi
·
1 hr 23 min
·
Grand Army of the Republic Highway
11
Take the exit slight right toward US 6 East: 6th Avenue, Lakewood
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
US 6 East: 6th Avenue, Lakewood
12
Merge slight left onto West 6th Avenue Freeway
10 mi
·
14 min
·
West 6th Avenue Freeway
13
Turn left onto North Lincoln Street
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
North Lincoln Street
14
Turn right onto East 14th Avenue
354 ft
·
17 sec
·
East 14th Avenue
15
Turn left
358 ft
·
28 sec
16
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a sub-four-hour drive, you have plenty of flexibility when planning your departure time. You should aim to incorporate at least one stop to break up the technical nature of the drive and rest your eyes from the constant turns. Given the $32 fuel estimate, it is wise to check your tank levels before leaving Palisade to ensure you have enough range for the local roads ahead. A great way to pace yourself is to plan your single stop near the midpoint of the journey to stay refreshed. Because you are navigating local routes rather than high-speed interstates, allow for a little extra cushion in your schedule to account for the slower, more winding nature of the path.
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 116.1 miles from Palisade, CO, or about 1h 54m 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 80 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 116.1 miles or 1h 54m 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 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Denver, CO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Palisade, 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 Palisade, CO
This is one driving day of about 232.3 miles and 3h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Palisade, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 116.1 mi from Palisade, CO · 1h 54m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
116 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
Arriving in Denver, CO
The final approach into Denver, 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 Denver, 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
$35.20 one way
$70.40 round trip
$3.85/gal
25.4 MPG avg
81 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.08 | $37.35 | $74.70 |
| premium | $4.43 | $40.54 | $81.09 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $51.61 | $103.22 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 81.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 69.7 | 0 | $24.39 | $11.15 |
| Efficient EV | 58.1 | 0 | $20.33 | $9.29 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 92.9 | 1 | $32.52 | $14.87 |
Gas CO2
81 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Sunday
Local time
5:16 PM
MDT
Current temp
66°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
27 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
3h 48m 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 Palisade, CO to Denver, CO covers 232.3 miles and takes about 3h 48m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are G Road, Grand Army of the Republic Highway, Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 116.1 miles from Palisade, CO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $35.20 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a straightforward 3h 48m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Palisade, CO to Denver, CO is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Palisade, CO to Denver, CO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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