Origin
Penrose, CO
Late night in Penrose on Friday
Local time
4:02 AM
MDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Penrose, CO to Denver, CO
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 4m
Distance
102.1 mi
164 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 56m
★
6 AM
2h 4m
8 AM
2h 22m
10 AM
2h 11m
12 PM
2h 9m
3 PM
2h 12m
5 PM
2h 21m
8 PM
1h 59m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Penrose, CO
Steve A Johnson
Denver, CO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 102.1-mile drive from Penrose, CO, to Denver, CO, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 4 minutes. You'll primarily navigate on the Ronald Reagan Highway, CO 115, and Monument Valley Freeway. With a fuel cost estimated at $15, this route offers a straightforward journey through the Mountain West region. The mixed drive profile suggests a varied experience, and with no specific stops recommended, it's a convenient option for a quick transition between these Colorado locales. Plan for a smooth and efficient travel day.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
51.1 miles from Penrose, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 5m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 4m. Total distance: 102.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (39%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a mixed driving experience on this 102.1-mile journey. While 39% of the route involves highway driving, you'll also encounter other road types. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 57.6 miles on the Ronald Reagan Highway, indicating a significant portion where you can maintain a consistent speed. This road character suggests you'll transition between faster highway sections and potentially more varied local road conditions as you approach your destination in Denver. It's not an all-highway grind, nor is it exclusively a winding backroad.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Ronald Reagan Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 57.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near CO 115.
Driving Effort
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 102.1 miles you will encounter 10 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 0.3 miles (CO 115): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here; at 32.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 32.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0.3 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
CO 115
Turn sharp right onto CO 115
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
32.3 mi into trip
|
~44m in
Turn left toward I 25 North, US 24 West: Denver
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I 25 North, US 24 West: Denver
7
32.5 mi into trip
|
~44m in
Take the ramp toward I 25 North, US 24 West: Denver
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 25 North, US 24 West: Denver
8
98.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 55m in
Take the exit toward Downing Street, Washington Street, Emerson Street
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 206
Toward Downing Street, Washington Street, Emers...
9
98.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 55m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Emerson Street, Washington Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward Emerson Street, Washington Street
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Ronald Reagan Highway | 57.6 mi | 1h 1m |
| CO 115 | 32 mi | 43m |
| Monument Valley Freeway | 7.7 mi | 8m |
| South Logan Street | 2.7 mi | 5m |
| East Buchtel North Boulevard | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Grant Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| 4th Avenue | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| East 13th Avenue | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Ronald Reagan Highway
— 57.6 mi, about 1h 1m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Penrose, CO and Denver, CO.
1
Start on Grant Street
0.2 mi
·
46 sec
·
Grant Street
2
Turn left onto 4th Avenue
0.1 mi
·
39 sec
·
4th Avenue
3
Turn sharp right onto CO 115
32 mi
·
43 min
·
CO 115
Use the straight lane.
4
Turn left
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
Toward I 25 North, US 24 West: Denver
Use the left lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward I 25 North, US 24 West: Denver
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Merge onto I 25; US 24
7.7 mi
·
8 min
·
Monument Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 25
58 mi
·
1 hr 1 min
·
Ronald Reagan Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Exit 206
Toward Downing Street, Washington Street, Emerson Street
Use the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Toward Emerson Street, Washington Street
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on East Buchtel North Boulevard
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East Buchtel North Boulevard
11
Turn right onto South Logan Street
2.7 mi
·
5 min
·
South Logan Street
12
Turn left onto East 13th Avenue
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
East 13th Avenue
13
Turn right onto Sherman Street
0.1 mi
·
33 sec
·
Sherman Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
At end of road, turn right
298 ft
·
21 sec
15
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 2-hour duration, this trip is perfect for a single day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Aiming for a morning start can help you avoid potential afternoon traffic as you near Denver. With no mandatory stops, you can easily break up the 102.1 miles as needed for fuel or a quick rest. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the 57.6-mile stretch on Ronald Reagan Highway. The estimated $15 fuel cost is a good baseline for your budget, but it's always wise to have a little extra buffer.
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 51.1 miles from Penrose, CO, or about 1h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 57.6 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 22 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 51.1 miles or 1h 5m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 40m
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 Penrose, 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 Penrose, CO
This is one driving day of about 102.1 miles and 2h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Penrose, CO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Ronald Reagan Highway for about 57.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 51.1 mi from Penrose, CO · 1h 5m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
51 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 22 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 51.1 miles from Penrose, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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
$15.38 one way
$30.77 round trip
$3.83/gal
25.4 MPG avg
36 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.05 | $16.29 | $32.58 |
| premium | $4.39 | $17.66 | $35.32 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $22.54 | $45.08 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 35.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 30.6 | 0 | $10.72 | $4.90 |
| Efficient EV | 25.5 | 0 | $8.93 | $4.08 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 40.8 | 0 | $14.29 | $6.53 |
Gas CO2
36 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (67% 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
Denver, CO
Late night in Denver on Friday
Local time
4:02 AM
MDT
Current temp
46°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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
2h 4m 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 Penrose, CO to Denver, CO covers 102.1 miles and takes about 2h 4m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Ronald Reagan Highway, CO 115, Monument Valley Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 51.1 miles from Penrose, CO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $15.38 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 102.1 miles you will encounter 10 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 0.3 miles (CO 115): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here; at 32.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 32.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Penrose, CO to Denver, CO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
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