Origin
Parker, CO
Night in Parker on Friday
Local time
11:22 PM
MDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Parker, CO to Lakewood, CO
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
38m
Distance
28.6 mi
46 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 36m
★
6 AM
0h 39m
8 AM
0h 46m
10 AM
0h 41m
12 PM
0h 41m
3 PM
0h 42m
5 PM
0h 45m
8 PM
0h 37m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Parker, CO
Wikimedia Commons
Lakewood, CO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This straightforward 28.6-mile drive from Parker, Colorado, to Lakewood, Colorado, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 38 minutes. You'll spend about 58% of your time on highways, including I-25 and the E-470 toll road, before transitioning to the West 6th Avenue Freeway. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $4, making it an economical option. Given its short duration and the fact that both locations are within the Mountain West region, this route is ideal for a quick commute or an easy relocation.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 38m. Total distance: 28.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (58%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a mixed driving experience on this 38-minute journey. The route begins with significant highway time, featuring a continuous stretch of 14 miles on I-25, designed for efficient travel. As you progress, the drive incorporates other major arteries like E-470 and the West 6th Avenue Freeway, maintaining a relatively fast pace. While not a particularly scenic route, the focus is on getting you from point A to point B smoothly, with the majority of the drive being on well-maintained freeways.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 25 is the longest continuous segment at about 14 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 7.9 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 14 decision points packed into just 28.6 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 38m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 7.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 22.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
7.9 mi into trip
|
~10m in
Take the exit toward I 25: Denver, Colorado Springs
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 1A
Toward I 25: Denver, Colorado Springs
9
8.1 mi into trip
|
~10m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 25 North: Denver
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 1A
Toward I 25 North: Denver
7
22.7 mi into trip
|
~28m in
Take the exit toward US 6 West: 6th Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 209A-B
Toward US 6 West: 6th Avenue
9
22.9 mi into trip
|
~29m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 6 West: 6th Avenue, Lakewood
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 209B
Toward US 6 West: 6th Avenue, Lakewood
6
26.9 mi into trip
|
~35m in
Take the exit toward CO 121 South: Wadsworth Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward CO 121 South: Wadsworth Boulevard
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Parker, CO and Lakewood, CO, road signs point toward E470 Toll South and Colorado Springs.
E470 Toll South
2.6 mi in
|
~4m
Colorado Springs
7.9 mi in
|
~10m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 25 | 14 mi | 16m |
| E-470 | 4.9 mi | 4m |
| West 6th Avenue Freeway | 2.5 mi | 3m |
| South Parker Road | 2.5 mi | 4m |
| North Wadsworth Boulevard | 1.5 mi | 3m |
| Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| East Mainstreet | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| US 6 | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 25
— 14 mi, about 16m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Parker, CO and Lakewood, CO.
1
Start on South Pikes Peak Drive
100 ft
·
8 sec
·
South Pikes Peak Drive
2
Turn right onto East Mainstreet
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
East Mainstreet
3
Turn right onto CO 83
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
South Parker Road
Use the right lane.
4
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Toward E470 Toll South, I 25: Colorado Springs
5
Merge onto E470
4.9 mi
·
4 min
·
E-470
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 1A
Toward I 25: Denver, Colorado Springs
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 1A
Toward I 25 North: Denver
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
8
Continue on this road
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
this road
Exit 1A; 26
Toward I 25 North: Denver
9
Merge onto I 25
14 mi
·
16 min
·
I 25
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Exit 209A-B
Toward US 6 West: 6th Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
Exit 209B
Toward US 6 West: 6th Avenue, Lakewood
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on US 6
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
13
Keep slight left at fork onto US 6
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
US 6
Toward US 6
14
Merge onto US 6
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
West 6th Avenue Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward CO 121 South: Wadsworth Boulevard
Use the right lane.
16
Turn straight onto CO 121
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
North Wadsworth Boulevard
17
Continue on CO 121
369 ft
·
15 sec
·
South Wadsworth Boulevard
Use the left lane.
18
Arrive at destination
CO 121
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$4.31 one way
$8.62 round trip
$3.83/gal
25.4 MPG avg
10 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.05 | $4.56 | $9.12 |
| premium | $4.39 | $4.95 | $9.90 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $6.31 | $12.63 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.59
E-470
(4.9 mi)
$0.59
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$4
Tolls
$1
Total
$5
Estimated CO2 emission: 10 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 70% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 8.6 | 0 | $3.00 | $1.37 |
| Efficient EV | 7.2 | 0 | $2.50 | $1.14 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 11.4 | 0 | $4.00 | $1.83 |
Gas CO2
10 kg
EV CO2
3 kg (70% 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
Lakewood, CO
Night in Lakewood on Friday
Local time
11:22 PM
MDT
Current temp
44°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
33 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
38m 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 Lakewood, CO covers 28.6 miles and takes about 38m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 25, E-470, West 6th Avenue Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 14.3 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 $4.31 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 14 decision points packed into just 28.6 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 38m.
The main spots that need attention: at 7.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 22.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Parker, CO and Lakewood, CO, road signs point toward E470 Toll South and Colorado Springs.
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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