Skip to main content

Trip from Sheridan, CO to Boulder, CO

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

50m

Distance

37.9 mi

61 km

Drive Score

6/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$6

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 13 min
4 AM
0h 46m ★
6 AM
0h 51m
8 AM
0h 59m
10 AM
0h 54m
12 PM
0h 53m
3 PM
0h 54m
5 PM
0h 59m
8 PM
0h 48m

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

Downtown Sheridan, CO, CO

Sheridan, CO

RDNE Stock project

city in and county seat of Boulder County, Colorado, United States

Boulder, CO

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Sheridan, CO to Boulder, CO covers 37.9 miles and takes about 50m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on US 285 North, West Hampden Avenue, US 85 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $5.71 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

0 planned breaks

This drive is short enough that no stops are needed.

Midpoint

18.9 miles from Sheridan, CO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 25m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a 50m drive with frequent turns across 37.9 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 285 North is one of the defining roads on this drive.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.

Route Complexity 1/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

The drive from Sheridan, CO to Boulder, CO is easy. At 50m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Sheridan, CO to Boulder, CO is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 285 North
West Hampden Avenue
US 85
US 85 North
South Santa Fe Drive
I 25 North
South Valley Highway
US 36 West

Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.

Longest stretch: US 285 North — detailed segment metrics are refreshing.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Sheridan, CO and Boulder, CO.

1

Start on South Federal Boulevard

0.3 mi · 24 sec · South Federal Boulevard
2

Take the ramp straight toward US 285 North

0.2 mi · 29 sec · US 285 North
3

Merge slight left onto West Hampden Avenue

0.9 mi · 1 min · West Hampden Avenue
4

Take the exit slight right toward US 85

0.2 mi · 35 sec · US 85
5

Keep slight left to continue on US 85 North

249 ft · 15 sec · US 85 North
6

Turn left onto US 85 North

105 ft · 6 sec · US 85 North
7

Merge slight right onto South Santa Fe Drive

3.5 mi · 4 min · South Santa Fe Drive
8

Take the exit slight right toward I 25 North: Fort Collins

0.8 mi · 1 min · I 25 North: Fort Collins
9

Merge slight left onto South Valley Highway

8.5 mi · 11 min · South Valley Highway
10

Take the exit slight left toward US 36 West: Westminster, Boulder

0.6 mi · 52 sec · US 36 West: Westminster, Boulder
11

Merge slight right onto Denver–Boulder Turnpike

2.1 mi · 2 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike
12

Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike

1.7 mi · 1 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike
13

Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike

2.3 mi · 2 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike
14

Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike

1.9 mi · 2 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike
15

Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike

2.1 mi · 2 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike
16

Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike

2.9 mi · 3 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike
17

Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike

2.4 mi · 2 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike
18

Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike

2.2 mi · 2 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike
19

Keep slight left to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike

2.3 mi · 2 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike
20

Continue on 28th Street

0.8 mi · 1 min · 28th Street
21

Turn left onto Arapahoe Avenue

0.6 mi · 1 min · Arapahoe Avenue
22

Turn right onto 19th Street

144 ft · 11 sec · 19th Street
23

Turn left

89 ft · 5 sec
24

Arrive at your destination

Trip Plan

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 18.9 miles from Sheridan, CO, or about 25m into the drive.

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 37.9 miles or 50m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 18.9 miles or 25m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 43m

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

Before You Leave

+

Have your navigation ready before leaving Sheridan, CO.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Sheridan, CO

This is one driving day of about 37.9 miles and 50m.

At 37.9 miles this is a quick drive — no planned stops needed.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 18.9 mi from Sheridan, CO · 25m into the drive

city in Adams and Weld counties in Colorado, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Thornton, CO

19 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

Lafayette, CO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 37.9 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Thornton, CO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 18.9 miles from Sheridan, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Boulder, CO

Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Boulder, CO if you are unfamiliar with the area.

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$5.71 one way

$11.42 round trip

$3.83/gal 25.4 MPG avg 13 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.05 $6.05 $12.09
premium $4.39 $6.56 $13.11
diesel $5.61 $8.37 $16.74

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$6

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$31–$56

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 13.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 69% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 11.4 0 $3.98 $1.82
Efficient EV 9.5 0 $3.32 $1.52
EV Truck/SUV 15.2 0 $5.31 $2.43

Gas CO2

13 kg

EV CO2

4 kg (69% 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

Sheridan, CO

Night in Sheridan on Wednesday

Local time

10:45 PM

MDT

Current temp

78°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Boulder, CO

Night in Boulder on Wednesday

Local time

10:45 PM

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

6 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

50m 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 Sheridan, CO to Boulder, CO covers 37.9 miles and takes about 50m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 285 North, West Hampden Avenue, US 85. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 18.9 miles from Sheridan, CO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $5.71 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.
The drive from Sheridan, CO to Boulder, CO is easy. At 50m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Sheridan, CO to Boulder, CO is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Sheridan, CO to Boulder, CO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

Was this route helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Explore more options from Sheridan, CO or browse trips ending in Boulder, CO.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse CO road trips.

Explore maps for Sheridan, CO or Boulder, CO on MapSof.net.