Origin
Parker, CO
Morning in Parker on Monday
Local time
10:40 AM
MDT
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Parker, CO to Boulder, CO
Drive Time
59m
Distance
62.7 mi
101 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 55m
★
6 AM
1h 0m
8 AM
1h 10m
10 AM
1h 3m
12 PM
1h 2m
3 PM
1h 4m
5 PM
1h 9m
8 PM
0h 57m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Parker, CO
Egor Komarov
Boulder, CO
Dmitriy Piskarev
Trip Overview
The drive from Parker, CO to Boulder, CO covers 62.7 miles and takes about 59m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on East Mainstreet, South Parker Road, I 25 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $9.50 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
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
31.3 miles from Parker, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 29m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a 59m drive with frequent turns across 62.7 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
East Mainstreet 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 Parker, CO to Boulder, CO is easy. At 59m 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 Parker, CO to Boulder, CO is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East Mainstreet | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South Parker Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 25 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| E-470 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 25 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 36 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Denver–Boulder Turnpike | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 28th Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
East Mainstreet
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Parker, CO and Boulder, CO.
1
Start on South Pikes Peak Drive
98 ft
·
8 sec
·
South Pikes Peak Drive
2
Turn right onto East Mainstreet
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
East Mainstreet
3
Turn right onto South Parker Road
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
South Parker Road
4
Take the exit slight right toward E470 Toll South, I 25: Colorado Springs
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
E470 Toll South, I 25: Colorado Springs
5
Merge slight left onto E-470
4.9 mi
·
4 min
·
E-470
6
Take the exit slight right toward I 25: Denver, Colorado Springs
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
I 25: Denver, Colorado Springs
7
Keep slight right to continue on I 25 North: Denver
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
I 25 North: Denver
8
Continue on I 25 North: Denver
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
I 25 North: Denver
9
Merge slight left
22 mi
·
27 min
10
Take the exit slight left toward US 36 West: Westminster, Boulder
0.6 mi
·
52 sec
·
US 36 West: Westminster, Boulder
11
Merge slight right onto Denver–Boulder Turnpike
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
12
Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
13
Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
14
Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
15
Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
16
Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
17
Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
18
Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
19
Keep slight left to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
20
Continue on 28th Street
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
28th Street
21
Turn left onto Arapahoe Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Arapahoe Avenue
22
Turn right onto 19th Street
144 ft
·
11 sec
·
19th Street
23
Turn left
89 ft
·
5 sec
24
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 31.3 miles from Parker, CO, or about 29m 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 62.7 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 31.3 miles or 29m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Boulder, CO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Parker, 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 Parker, CO
This is one driving day of about 62.7 miles and 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Parker, CO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 31.3 mi from Parker, CO · 29m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
31 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 62.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 31.3 miles from Parker, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Boulder, CO
The final approach into Boulder, 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 Boulder, 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
$9.50 one way
$19.00 round trip
$3.85/gal
25.4 MPG avg
22 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.08 | $10.08 | $20.16 |
| premium | $4.43 | $10.94 | $21.89 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $13.93 | $27.86 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$35–$60
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 21.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 18.8 | 0 | $6.58 | $3.01 |
| Efficient EV | 15.7 | 0 | $5.49 | $2.51 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 25.1 | 0 | $8.78 | $4.01 |
Gas CO2
22 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (68% 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
Morning in Boulder on Monday
Local time
10:40 AM
MDT
Current temp
40°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
2 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
59m 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 Parker, CO to Boulder, CO covers 62.7 miles and takes about 59m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are East Mainstreet, South Parker Road, I 25. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 31.3 miles from Parker, CO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $9.50 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 Parker, CO to Boulder, CO is easy. At 59m 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 Parker, CO to Boulder, CO is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Parker, CO to Boulder, CO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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