Drive Time
6h 22m
Distance
291.1 mi
468 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$44
one way
Photo: Raul Kozenevski
The drive from Rangely, CO to Aurora, CO covers 291.1 miles and takes about 6h 22m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 70, West Main Street, CO 13 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 192.4 miles on I 70. At current regular gas prices, budget about $44.11 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
145.5 miles from Rangely, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 32m into the drive .
This is a 6h 22m highway drive covering 291.1 miles, with most of the trip on I 70 and West Main Street. The longest continuous stretch is about 192.4 miles on I 70.
Mountain driving with significant elevation changes
Total Climb
9,607 ft
Total Descent
9,435 ft
Highest Point
11,119 ft
~218.4 mi in
Elevation Range
5,959 ft
Notable High Points
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 70 and West Main Street. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 55 miles in near CO 13.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 291.1 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 55 miles (CO 13): Lane positioning matters here; at 92.4 miles (Whiteriver Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 273.7 miles (I 70): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
At end of road, turn right onto CO 13
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto Whiteriver Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70 toward I 70 East: Denver
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 225 South: Aurora, Colorado Springs
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward CO 30: 6th Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 70 | 192.4 mi | 3h 42m |
| West Main Street | 55 mi | 1h 28m |
| CO 13 | 37.5 mi | 1h |
| I 225 | 2.2 mi | 2m |
| Whiteriver Avenue | 1.5 mi | 3m |
| East 6th Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Railroad Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| North Vaughn Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Rangely, CO and Aurora, CO.
Start on CO 64
At end of road, turn right onto CO 13
Continue on CO 13
Turn left onto Whiteriver Avenue
Continue on Whiteriver Avenue
Take the ramp
Merge onto CO 13
Enter roundabout
Continue
Merge onto I 70
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70
Take the exit
Continue on I 225
Take the exit
Turn right onto CO 30
Turn right onto Vaughn Street
Turn right onto North Zion Street
Turn left onto North Vaughn Street
Arrive at destination
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
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 80 miles or 2h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 145.5 miles or 3h 32m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Aurora, CO than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Rangely, 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 Rangely, CO
This is one driving day of about 291.1 miles and 6h 22m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 145.5 mi from Rangely, CO · 3h 32m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
146 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 145.5 miles from Rangely, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 70 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 192.4 miles.
The final approach into Aurora, 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 Aurora, CO.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$44.11 one way
$88.22 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.08 | $46.81 | $93.61 |
| premium | $4.43 | $50.80 | $101.61 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $64.67 | $129.34 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 101.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 87.3 | 1 | $30.57 | $13.97 |
| Efficient EV | 72.8 | 0 | $25.47 | $11.64 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 116.4 | 1 | $40.75 | $18.63 |
Gas CO2
102 kg
EV CO2
34 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Afternoon in Rangely on Saturday
Local time
3:11 PM
MDT
Current temp
31°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Afternoon in Aurora on Saturday
Local time
3:11 PM
MDT
Current temp
66°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
26°F
Aspen, CO
146 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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