Trip from Salida, CO to Aurora, CO

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 24m

Distance

148.5 mi

239 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$22

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

29 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min

4 AM

3h 12m ★

6 AM

3h 24m

8 AM

3h 48m

10 AM

3h 33m

12 PM

3h 30m

3 PM

3h 34m

5 PM

3h 47m

8 PM

3h 17m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Salida, CO

Wikimedia Commons

Aurora, CO

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Salida, CO to Aurora, CO covers 148.5 miles and takes about 3h 24m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on US 24, US 285, I 225 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 73.9 miles on US 24. At current regular gas prices, budget about $22.37 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

74.2 miles from Salida, CO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 41m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
US 24	73.9 mi	1h 33m
US 285	51.8 mi	1h 15m
I 225	7.9 mi	9m
CO 291	6.9 mi	9m
East Hampden Avenue	2.6 mi	4m
East Jefferson Avenue	0.8 mi	1m
South Valley Highway	0.7 mi	<1m
Crestone Avenue	0.5 mi	1m

Longest stretch: US 24 — 73.9 mi, about 1h 33m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Salida, CO and Aurora, CO.

Start on I Street

149 ft · 9 sec · I Street

Turn left onto West 5th Street

0.1 mi · 17 sec · West 5th Street

Turn right onto Poncha Boulevard

302 ft · 12 sec · Poncha Boulevard

Turn left onto Crestone Avenue

0.5 mi · 1 min · Crestone Avenue

Turn right onto North Grant Street

242 ft · 6 sec · North Grant Street

Continue on Mesa Lane

0.1 mi · 18 sec · Mesa Lane

At end of road, turn left onto CO 291

6.9 mi · 9 min · CO 291

Use the straight lane.

Turn right onto US 285

4.3 mi · 6 min · US 285

Continue on US 285

9.7 mi · 15 min · US 285

Use the straight lane.

Take the exit onto US 285

0.2 mi · 21 sec · US 285

Toward US 285 North

Merge onto US 24; US 285

74 mi · 1 hr 33 min · US 24; US 285

Continue on US 285

38 mi · 52 min · US 285

Use the straight / slight left / slight right lanes.

Continue on US 285

0.2 mi · 29 sec · West Hampden Drive

Continue on US 285

0.8 mi · 1 min · East Jefferson Avenue

Continue on US 285

0.3 mi · 34 sec · East Hampden Bypass

Continue on US 285

2.6 mi · 4 min · East Hampden Avenue

Use the straight lane.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 45 sec

Toward I 25 South

Merge onto I 25

0.7 mi · 49 sec · South Valley Highway

Take the exit

0.8 mi · 1 min

Exit 200 Toward I 225 North: Aurora, Limon Use the straight / right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 28 sec

Toward I 225 North: Limon Use the straight / right lanes.

Continue on I 225

7.9 mi · 9 min · I 225

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 29 sec

Exit 9 Toward CO 30: 6th Avenue Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

141 ft · 5 sec

Toward CO 30: Colorado National Guard, Lowry Campus, 6th Avenue

Turn left onto CO 30

0.4 mi · 53 sec · East 6th Avenue

Use the left / straight lanes.

Turn right onto Vaughn Street

257 ft · 12 sec · Vaughn Street

Turn right onto North Zion Street

509 ft · 27 sec · North Zion Street

Turn left onto North Vaughn Street

0.2 mi · 43 sec · North Vaughn Street

Arrive at destination

North Vaughn Street

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 74.2 miles from Salida, CO, or about 1h 41m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 73.9 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 33 miles or 48m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 74.2 miles or 1h 41m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 44m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Aurora, CO than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Salida, 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 Salida, CO

This is one driving day of about 148.5 miles and 3h 24m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Salida, CO.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on US 24 for about 73.9 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Applewood, CO

74 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

Buena Vista, CO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 33 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Applewood, CO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 74.2 miles from Salida, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 24 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 73.9 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

La Familia restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Aurora, Colorado

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 148.5

Hours: 9 am–8 pm

+17205243411

Los Toritos Mexican Restaurant

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Aurora, Colorado

2.6 mi

Old Town Hot Pot

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Aurora, Colorado

2.9 mi

La Familia restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 148.5

Aurora, Colorado

Hours: 9 am–8 pm

+17205243411

Los Toritos Mexican Restaurant

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour $20 to $30 mile 148.5

Aurora, Colorado

Hours: 9 am–11 pm

+13033666381

Old Town Hot Pot

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $20 to $30 mile 137.9

Aurora, Colorado

Hours: 11:30 am–9:30 pm

+13036580870

Visit website

Phở Hậu Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 127.3

Lakewood, Colorado

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+13039880755

Tesla Supercharger

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 148.5

Denver, Colorado

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 148.5

Denver, Colorado

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Sister City Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 127.3

Lakewood, Colorado

Hours: 5 am–10 pm

+13039877800

Visit website

Tiny Town & Railroad

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 116.7

Morrison, Colorado

+13036976829

Visit website

3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 127.3

Littleton, Colorado

Hours: 12–8 pm

Visit website

Morrison Natural History Museum

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 127.3

Morrison, Colorado

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+13036971873

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 17

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.8 and 147.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

0.8 mi into trip | ~2m in | CO 291

At end of road, turn left onto CO 291

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.

138.4 mi into trip | ~3h 10m in

Take the exit toward I 225 North: Aurora, Limon

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / right lanes. Exit 200 Toward I 225 North: Aurora, Limon

139.1 mi into trip | ~3h 11m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 225 North: Limon

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes. Toward I 225 North: Limon

147.4 mi into trip | ~3h 21m in

Take the exit toward CO 30: 6th Avenue

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 9 Toward CO 30: 6th Avenue

147.7 mi into trip | ~3h 21m in

Keep slight left at fork toward CO 30: Colorado National Guard, Lowry Campus, 6th Avenue

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward CO 30: Colorado National Guard, Lowry Ca...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$22.37 one way

$44.75 round trip

$3.83/gal 25.4 MPG avg 52 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.05	$23.69	$47.38
premium	$4.39	$25.69	$51.38
diesel	$5.61	$32.79	$65.57

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$22

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$47–$72

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 52 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

29 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Best Buy - Tesla Supercharger

Lakewood, CO

Tesla

12 DCFC

Belmar - Tesla Supercharger

Lakewood, CO

Tesla

12 DCFC

High Valley Center - Tesla Supercharger

Poncha Springs, CO

Tesla

8 DCFC

Electric Era Charging Station

Buena Vista, CO

ELECTRIC_ERA

8 DCFC

The Village at Aspen Park - Tesla Supercharger

Conifer, CO

Tesla

8 DCFC

Peak Kia

Littleton, CO

Blink Network

8 DCFC

7887 W Tufts Ave

Denver, CO

EV Connect

7 DCFC

The Faricy Boys Automotive

Salida, CO

EV Connect

4 DCFC

ChargePoint Network: 9 EV Connect: 4 Tesla: 4 eVgo Network: 2 EVGATEWAY: 2 RIVIAN_ADVENTURE: 1 ELECTRIC_ERA: 1 Electrify America: 1 Blink Network: 1 IN_CHARGE: 1 Non-Networked: 1 7CHARGE: 1 LOOP: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	44.6	$15.59	$7.13
Efficient EV	37.1	$12.99	$5.94
EV Truck/SUV	59.4	$20.79	$9.50

Gas CO2

52 kg

EV CO2

17 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Salida, CO

Afternoon in Salida on Saturday

Local time

12:41 PM

MDT

Current temp

72°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Aurora, CO

Afternoon in Aurora on Saturday

Local time

12:41 PM

MDT

Current temp

47°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

25 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

3h 24m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

148.5 mi in 3h 24m, mostly highway — 73.9 mi of that is on US 24.

95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 73.9 mi on US 24.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 24 and US 285. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in near CO 291.

Driving Effort 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 148.5 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 0.8 miles (CO 291): Lane positioning matters here; at 138.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 139.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Salida, CO to Aurora, CO, road signs begin pointing toward Limon along the way.

Limon

138.4 mi in | ~3h 10m

About the Cities

Arriving in Aurora, CO

Full guide →

Aurora is a city of about 400,000 of the Denver Metropolitan Area in the western U.S. state of Colorado. The city lies immediately east of Denver in Arapahoe, Adams, and Douglas counties. In 2008 it was named the "All American City."

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 24m. Total distance: 148.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 73.9 miles on US 24. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Aurora, CO before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Aurora, CO, but most travelers stay overnight.

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, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Return Trip

Aurora, CO to Salida, CO

Plan the drive back the other way.

148.3 mi 3h 24m

Explore more options from Salida, CO or browse trips ending in Aurora, CO.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse CO road trips.

Trip from Salida, CO to Aurora, CO

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

La Familia restaurant

La Familia restaurant

Los Toritos Mexican Restaurant

Old Town Hot Pot

Phở Hậu Restaurant

Tesla Supercharger

Tesla Supercharger

Loop Charging Station

EVgo Charging Station

Costco Wholesale Corporation Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

EVgo Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Sister City Park

Tiny Town & Railroad

Museum of Outdoor Arts

Belmar Park

Central Park

The Unreal Garden

Morrison Natural History Museum

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Salida, CO

Aurora, CO

Same local time

25 degrees cooler at arrival

3h 24m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Arriving in Aurora, CO

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

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