Origin
Pierce, CO
Evening in Pierce on Friday
Local time
6:18 PM
MDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Pierce, CO to Denver, CO
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 38m
Distance
75.7 mi
122 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 31m
★
6 AM
1h 38m
8 AM
1h 53m
10 AM
1h 43m
12 PM
1h 42m
3 PM
1h 44m
5 PM
1h 52m
8 PM
1h 34m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Pierce, CO
Bobby n Lazy Jim
Denver, CO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 75.7-mile drive from Pierce to Denver, Colorado, is easily manageable as a day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 38 minutes. The journey is estimated to cost around $11 in fuel, making it an economical choice. You'll primarily navigate the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway and North Valley Highway, with a portion on Highway 14. Given that both Pierce and Denver are in the Mountain West region, you won't experience a drastic change in scenery, but rather a transition from more rural to urban environments. This route offers a straightforward connection between these two Colorado locations, perfect for a quick transit.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
37.9 miles from Pierce, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 51m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 38m. Total distance: 75.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 38m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive for this 75.7-mile stretch, rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. With only 13% of the route on highways, you'll spend most of your time on local roads, which can feel more engaging. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 41.6 miles on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, offering a brief period of consistent driving. As you approach Denver, the landscape will naturally shift from the more open areas around Pierce to a more developed, urban setting.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 41.6 miles.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
5,353 ft
4,837 ft
Total Climb
786 ft
Total Descent
549 ft
Highest Point
5,353 ft
~64.9 mi in
Elevation Range
517 ft
Notable High Points
5,094 ft at ~10.8 miles
+65 ft prominence
5,050 ft at ~27 miles
+31 ft prominence
5,064 ft at ~37.9 miles
+45 ft prominence
5,353 ft at ~64.9 miles
+140 ft prominence
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.6 miles in near CO 14 / Highway 14.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 75.7 miles you will encounter 14 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 5.6 miles (CO 14 / Highway 14): Lane positioning matters here; at 59 miles (I 25 / North Valley Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 72.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
5.6 mi into trip
|
~12m in
|
CO 14 / Highway 14
Turn right onto CO 14 / Highway 14
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
59 mi into trip
|
~1h 12m in
|
I 25 / North Valley Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 25 / North Valley Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
72.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 29m in
Take the exit toward 38th Avenue, Park Avenue, Downtown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 213
Toward 38th Avenue, Park Avenue, Downtown
9
72.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 30m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Park Avenue, Downtown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward Park Avenue, Downtown
7
75.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 37m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 41.6 mi | 41m |
| North Valley Highway | 14.2 mi | 17m |
| Highway 14 | 10 mi | 16m |
| County Road 29 | 3 mi | 4m |
| County Road 88 | 1.7 mi | 5m |
| East Mulberry Street | 1 mi | 1m |
| North Broadway | 1 mi | 3m |
| 5th Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 41.6 mi, about 41m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pierce, CO and Denver, CO.
1
Start on 2nd Street
33 ft
·
3 sec
·
2nd Street
2
Turn right onto West Main Avenue
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
West Main Avenue
3
Turn left onto 5th Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
5th Street
4
At end of road, turn right onto County Road 88
1.7 mi
·
5 min
·
County Road 88
5
Turn left onto County Road 29
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
County Road 29
6
Turn right onto CO 14
10.0 mi
·
16 min
·
Highway 14
Use the straight lane.
7
Continue on CO 14
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
East Mulberry Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Toward I 25 South: Denver
9
Merge onto I 25
42 mi
·
41 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 25
0.6 mi
·
36 sec
·
North Valley Highway
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 25
8.8 mi
·
10 min
·
North Valley Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 25
4.8 mi
·
6 min
·
North Valley Highway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 213
Toward 38th Avenue, Park Avenue, Downtown
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
Toward Park Avenue, Downtown
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on Park Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Park Avenue
16
Turn straight onto Park Avenue West
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Park Avenue West
17
Continue on West 22nd Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
West 22nd Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Turn right onto North Broadway
1.0 mi
·
3 min
·
North Broadway
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Turn left onto East 14th Avenue
0.1 mi
·
29 sec
·
East 14th Avenue
Use the left lane.
20
Turn left
358 ft
·
27 sec
Use the straight / left lanes.
21
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this relatively short 1 hour and 38-minute drive, you have a lot of flexibility. Consider an early morning departure to avoid any potential traffic as you near Denver. With 75.7 miles and a fuel cost of about $11, you likely won't need to worry about extensive fuel stops, but it's always wise to start with a full tank. Pay attention to the various highway and local road transitions, especially as you get closer to your destination. A specific tip for this route: be mindful of the numerous turns indicated in the profile, as they require your full attention.
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 37.9 miles from Pierce, CO, or about 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 41.6 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 17 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 37.9 miles or 51m 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 19m
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 Pierce, CO so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Pierce, CO
This is one driving day of about 75.7 miles and 1h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Pierce, CO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for about 41.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 37.9 mi from Pierce, CO · 51m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
38 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 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 37.9 miles from Pierce, 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.41 one way
$22.81 round trip
$3.83/gal
25.4 MPG avg
27 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.05 | $12.08 | $24.15 |
| premium | $4.39 | $13.10 | $26.19 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $16.71 | $33.43 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 26.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 22.7 | 0 | $7.95 | $3.63 |
| Efficient EV | 18.9 | 0 | $6.62 | $3.03 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 30.3 | 0 | $10.60 | $4.84 |
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (65% 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
Evening in Denver on Friday
Local time
6:18 PM
MDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
77°F
Lafayette, CO
38 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
32 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
1h 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 Pierce, CO to Denver, CO covers 75.7 miles and takes about 1h 38m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, North Valley Highway, Highway 14. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 37.9 miles from Pierce, CO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.41 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 75.7 miles you will encounter 14 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 5.6 miles (CO 14 / Highway 14): Lane positioning matters here; at 59 miles (I 25 / North Valley Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 72.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Pierce, CO to Denver, CO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
High-altitude sections with notable climbs. The route ranges from 4,837 ft to 5,353 ft elevation with about 786 ft of total climbing. There are 4 notable high points along the way.
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, EIA for fuel prices, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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