Origin
Paonia, CO
Afternoon in Paonia on Saturday
Local time
2:31 PM
MDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Paonia, 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
5h 2m
Distance
226.3 mi
364 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$34
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 49m
★
6 AM
5h 3m
8 AM
5h 30m
10 AM
5h 12m
12 PM
5h 10m
3 PM
5h 14m
5 PM
5h 29m
8 PM
4h 55m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Paonia, CO
Erick Ortega
Arvada, CO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Paonia, CO to Arvada, CO is 226.3 miles and takes about 5h 2m via I 70, CO 133, and CO 82, with a fuel budget near $34 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive keeps you within Colorado, traversing the Mountain West region for both your departure and arrival points. Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience that should be manageable for a single day of travel. It's a straightforward trip connecting two points in the state, offering a good option if you're looking for a direct route without many detours.
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
113.2 miles from Paonia, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 48m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 70 | 151.4 mi | 2h 55m |
| CO 133 | 58 mi | 1h 35m |
| CO 82 | 9.9 mi | 16m |
| Midland Avenue | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Grand Avenue | 1 mi | 2m |
| Kipling Parkway | 1 mi | 1m |
| West 58th Avenue | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| West 8th Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 70
— 151.4 mi, about 2h 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Paonia, CO and Arvada, CO.
1
Start on Orchard Avenue
53 ft
·
7 sec
·
Orchard Avenue
2
Turn left onto 3rd Street
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
·
3rd Street
3
Turn right onto Grand Avenue
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Grand Avenue
4
Turn right onto CO 133
57 mi
·
1 hr 33 min
·
CO 133
Use the straight lane.
5
Enter roundabout
95 ft
·
1 sec
6
Continue
463 ft
·
9 sec
7
Continue on CO 133
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
CO 133
8
Continue on CO 133
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
CO 133
9
Turn left onto CO 82
9.9 mi
·
16 min
·
CO 82
Use the straight lane.
10
Turn left onto 27th Street
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
27th Street
Use the left lane.
11
Enter roundabout onto 27th Street
86 ft
·
1 sec
·
27th Street
12
Continue on 27th Street
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
·
27th Street
13
Enter roundabout onto Midland Avenue
13 ft
·
0 sec
·
Midland Avenue
14
Continue on Midland Avenue
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Midland Avenue
15
Turn right onto West 8th Street
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
·
West 8th Street
16
Turn left onto CO 82
0.2 mi
·
41 sec
·
Grand Avenue
17
Continue on CO 82
0.1 mi
·
38 sec
·
Laurel Street
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
19
Merge onto I 70
151 mi
·
2 hr 55 min
·
I 70
Use the straight lane.
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 267
Toward CO 391: Kipling Street
Use the slight right lane.
21
Turn left onto CO 391
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
Kipling Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
22
Continue on Kipling Parkway
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Kipling Parkway
23
Turn right onto West 58th Avenue
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West 58th Avenue
24
Continue on Ralston Road
0.2 mi
·
39 sec
·
Ralston Road
25
Turn left onto Carr Street
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
Carr Street
26
Turn right onto West 59th Avenue
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
·
West 59th Avenue
27
Turn right onto Ammons Street
426 ft
·
16 sec
·
Ammons Street
28
Turn right
41 ft
·
3 sec
29
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour estimated duration, leaving Paonia in the morning is advisable to ensure you arrive in Arvada with ample daylight. With only one recommended stop, plan this break strategically. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is 151.4 miles on I 70, so ensure you have sufficient fuel before embarking on this segment. The total fuel cost is estimated at $34, which is a helpful budget marker for this single-day trip.
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 113.2 miles from Paonia, CO, or about 2h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 151.4 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 50 miles or 1h 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 113.2 miles or 2h 48m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 12m
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 Paonia, 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 Paonia, CO
This is one driving day of about 226.3 miles and 5h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 miles from Paonia, 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 I 70 for about 151.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
113 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 50 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 113.2 miles from Paonia, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 70 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 151.4 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 185 decision points cluster between mile 1.1 and 223.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1.1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
CO 133
Turn right onto CO 133
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
69.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 55m in
|
27th Street
Enter roundabout onto 27th Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
69.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 55m in
|
Midland Avenue
Enter roundabout onto Midland Avenue
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
71.8 mi into trip
|
~2h in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
7
223.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 56m in
Take the exit toward CO 391: Kipling Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 267
Toward CO 391: Kipling Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.10 one way
$68.19 round trip
$3.83/gal
25.4 MPG avg
79 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.05 | $36.10 | $72.20 |
| premium | $4.39 | $39.15 | $78.30 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $49.96 | $99.93 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 79.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 67.9 | 0 | $23.76 | $10.86 |
| Efficient EV | 56.6 | 0 | $19.80 | $9.05 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 90.5 | 1 | $31.68 | $14.48 |
Gas CO2
79 kg
EV CO2
26 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
Arvada, CO
Afternoon in Arvada on Saturday
Local time
2:31 PM
MDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
36°F
Eagle, CO
113 mi in
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
28 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
5h 2m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This journey is characterized by its highway-focused profile, with 97% of the drive utilizing major roadways. You'll encounter stretches of interstate driving, including a significant 151.4-mile segment on I 70. While primarily highway, the route incorporates state highways like CO 133 and CO 82, which may offer a slight change of pace before rejoining faster routes. The road generally progresses from more mountainous terrain to the plains as you approach your destination.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 29 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 70 is the longest continuous segment at about 151.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 70 and CO 133. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 1.1 miles in near CO 133.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 5h 2m drive. You will face about 18 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.1 miles (CO 133): Lane positioning matters here; at 69.2 miles (27th Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 69.4 miles (Midland Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
About the Cities
Arriving in Arvada, CO
Full guide →Arvada is a city of about 125,000 in the Denver Metropolitan Area of the U.S. state of Colorado. A former farming community in Jefferson and Adams counties, the city is now a residential suburb of Denver. Olde Town Arvada lies 7 miles (11 km) northwest of the Colorado State Capitol and 9 miles (14 km) east of the Front Range foothills.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 2m. Total distance: 226.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Paonia, CO to Arvada, CO covers 226.3 miles and takes about 5h 2m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 70, CO 133, CO 82. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 113.2 miles from Paonia, CO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $34.10 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 is a straightforward 5h 2m drive. You will face about 18 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.1 miles (CO 133): Lane positioning matters here; at 69.2 miles (27th Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 69.4 miles (Midland Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
The route from Paonia, 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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