Origin
Ponderosa Park, CO
Morning in Ponderosa Park on Saturday
Local time
7:25 AM
MDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ponderosa Park, CO to Boulder, CO
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 29m
Distance
62.3 mi
100 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 23m
★
6 AM
1h 30m
8 AM
1h 43m
10 AM
1h 34m
12 PM
1h 33m
3 PM
1h 35m
5 PM
1h 43m
8 PM
1h 26m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ponderosa Park, CO
Dianna Sarmiento
Boulder, CO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Ponderosa Park, CO to Boulder, CO covers 62.3 miles and takes about 1h 29m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Denver–Boulder Turnpike, South Parker Road, I 225 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 20.1 miles on Denver–Boulder Turnpike. At current regular gas prices, budget about $9.39 one way before food or hotel costs.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 29m. Total distance: 62.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (44%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
The drive from Ponderosa Park, CO to Boulder, CO covers 62.3 miles and takes about 1h 29m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 28 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Denver–Boulder Turnpike is the longest continuous segment at about 20.1 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 22.8 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 62.3 miles you will encounter 22 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 22.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 22.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 23.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 22 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
22.8 mi into trip
|
~38m in
Take the exit toward I 225 South, I 225 North
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.
Toward I 225 South, I 225 North
8
22.9 mi into trip
|
~38m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 225 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 225 North
8
23.1 mi into trip
|
~39m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 225 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / right lanes.
Toward I 225 North
8
30.9 mi into trip
|
~48m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 70 West: Denver
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 12A
Toward I 70 West: Denver
8
34.1 mi into trip
|
~53m in
|
I 270 / Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 270 / Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway toward I 270 West: Boulder
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 279A
Toward I 270 West: Boulder
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Denver–Boulder Turnpike | 20.1 mi | 23m |
| South Parker Road | 12.2 mi | 18m |
| I 225 | 7.5 mi | 8m |
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 6.6 mi | 8m |
| Hilltop Road | 4.7 mi | 8m |
| Flintwood Road | 3.4 mi | 5m |
| Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway | 2.1 mi | 2m |
| Ponderosa Lane | 1.8 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
— 20.1 mi, about 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ponderosa Park, CO and Boulder, CO.
1
Start on Verdos Drive
0.2 mi
·
41 sec
·
Verdos Drive
2
Turn right onto Ponderosa Lane
1.8 mi
·
4 min
·
Ponderosa Lane
3
At end of road, turn right onto CR 65
3.4 mi
·
5 min
·
Flintwood Road
4
Turn straight onto CR 71
4.7 mi
·
8 min
·
Hilltop Road
5
Continue on Hess Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Hess Road
6
Turn right onto CO 83
12 mi
·
18 min
·
South Parker Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
7
Take the exit
295 ft
·
7 sec
Toward I 225 South, I 225 North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward I 225 North
Use the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
Toward I 225 North
Use the left / right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 225
7.5 mi
·
8 min
·
I 225
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Exit 12A
Toward I 70 West: Denver
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
Toward I 70 West: Denver
13
Merge onto I 70
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 270
6.6 mi
·
8 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Exit 279A
Toward I 270 West: Boulder
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on US 36
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
16
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
17
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
18
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
23
Keep slight left at fork onto US 36
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
24
Continue on US 36
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
28th Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
25
Turn left onto Arapahoe Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Arapahoe Avenue
Use the left lane.
26
Turn right onto 19th Street
143 ft
·
11 sec
·
19th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
27
Turn left
87 ft
·
4 sec
28
Arrive at destination
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 31.1 mi from Ponderosa Park, CO · 48m 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 14 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 31.1 miles from Ponderosa Park, 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$9.39 one way
$18.77 round trip
$3.83/gal
25.4 MPG avg
22 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.05 | $9.94 | $19.88 |
| premium | $4.39 | $10.78 | $21.55 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $13.76 | $27.51 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.41
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
(20.1 mi)
$1.41
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$9
Tolls
$1
Total
$11
Estimated CO2 emission: 21.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 18.7 | 0 | $6.54 | $2.99 |
| Efficient EV | 15.6 | 0 | $5.45 | $2.49 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 24.9 | 0 | $8.72 | $3.99 |
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 Saturday
Local time
7:25 AM
MDT
Current temp
72°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
29 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
1h 29m 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 Ponderosa Park, CO to Boulder, CO covers 62.3 miles and takes about 1h 29m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Denver–Boulder Turnpike, South Parker Road, I 225. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 31.1 miles from Ponderosa Park, CO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $9.39 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 62.3 miles you will encounter 22 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 22.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 22.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 23.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Ponderosa Park, CO to Boulder, 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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