Origin
Steamboat Springs, CO
Afternoon in Steamboat Springs on Monday
Local time
4:05 PM
MDT
Current temp
28°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Steamboat Springs, CO to Broomfield, CO
Drive Time
3h 35m
Distance
163.8 mi
264 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
EV Charging
Excellent
23 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 23m
★
6 AM
3h 35m
8 AM
4h 0m
10 AM
3h 44m
12 PM
3h 42m
3 PM
3h 45m
5 PM
3h 59m
8 PM
3h 28m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Steamboat Springs, CO
Todd Willett
Broomfield, CO
Owen.outdoors
Trip Overview
The drive from Steamboat Springs, CO to Broomfield, CO covers 163.8 miles and takes about 3h 35m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 70, US 40, Colorado River Headwaters Scenic Byway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 63 miles on I 70. At current regular gas prices, budget about $24.82 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
81.9 miles from Steamboat Springs, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 49m into the drive .
Drive Character
This is a 3h 35m highway drive covering 163.8 miles, with most of the trip on I 70 and US 40. The longest continuous stretch is about 63 miles on I 70.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 28 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 70 is the longest continuous segment at about 63 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 70 and US 40. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 89.2 miles in near CO 9.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 163.8 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 89.2 miles (CO 9): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 152.5 miles (I 76 / Heartland Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 153.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
89.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 1m in
|
CO 9
Take the exit onto CO 9 toward I 70 East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 70 East
8
152.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 17m in
|
I 76 / Heartland Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 76 / Heartland Expressway toward I 76 East: Fort Morgan
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Exit 269B
Toward I 76 East: Fort Morgan
7
153.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 19m in
Take the exit toward CO 95: Sheridan Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 1B
Toward CO 95: Sheridan Boulevard
6
158.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 27m in
Turn left toward US 36 West: Boulder
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward US 36 West: Boulder
6
160.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 29m in
|
US 36 / Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36 / Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 70 | 63 mi | 1h 15m |
| US 40 | 47.4 mi | 1h |
| Colorado River Headwaters Scenic Byway | 30.6 mi | 40m |
| CO 9 | 5.6 mi | 9m |
| Sheridan Boulevard | 4.6 mi | 7m |
| Lincoln Avenue | 4.3 mi | 7m |
| Denver–Boulder Turnpike | 3.6 mi | 4m |
| Heartland Expressway | 1.3 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 70
— 63 mi, about 1h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Steamboat Springs, CO and Broomfield, CO.
1
Start on this road
236 ft
·
19 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto 5th Street
202 ft
·
13 sec
·
5th Street
3
Turn left onto US 40
4.3 mi
·
7 min
·
Lincoln Avenue
4
Continue on US 40
0.6 mi
·
50 sec
·
US 40
5
Continue on US 40
47 mi
·
1 hr
·
US 40
6
Turn right onto CO 9
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
South 6th Street
Use the right lane.
7
Continue on CO 9
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Tyler Avenue
8
Continue on CO 9
31 mi
·
40 min
·
Colorado River Headwaters Scenic Byway
9
Continue on CO 9
5.3 mi
·
9 min
·
CO 9
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on US 6
0.1 mi
·
25 sec
·
US 6
11
Take the exit onto CO 9
0.3 mi
·
24 sec
·
CO 9
Toward I 70 East
Use the left lane.
12
Merge onto I 70
63 mi
·
1 hr 15 min
·
I 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 76
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Heartland Expressway
Exit 269B
Toward I 76 East: Fort Morgan
Use the left lane.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 1B
Toward CO 95: Sheridan Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Turn left onto CO 95
4.6 mi
·
7 min
·
Sheridan Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
16
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward US 36 West: Boulder
Use the left lane.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Toward US 36 West
18
Merge onto US 36
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
19
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
0.8 mi
·
52 sec
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
21
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
42 sec
Toward CO 121: Wadsworth Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Turn right onto CO 121
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
CO 121
23
Continue on US 287
204 ft
·
5 sec
·
US 287
24
Turn right onto West Midway Boulevard
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
West Midway Boulevard
Use the right lane.
25
Turn right onto Nickel Street
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
Nickel Street
Use the right lane.
26
Turn left onto West 3rd Avenue
273 ft
·
17 sec
·
West 3rd Avenue
Use the left lane.
27
Turn left
192 ft
·
14 sec
28
Arrive at destination
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 81.9 miles from Steamboat Springs, CO, or about 1h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 63 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 80 miles or 1h 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 81.9 miles or 1h 49m 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 56m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Broomfield, CO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Steamboat Springs, 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 Steamboat Springs, CO
This is one driving day of about 163.8 miles and 3h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Steamboat Springs, 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 I 70 for about 63 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 81.9 mi from Steamboat Springs, CO · 1h 49m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
82 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 81.9 miles from Steamboat Springs, 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 63 miles.
Arriving in Broomfield, CO
The final approach into Broomfield, 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 Broomfield, CO.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.82 one way
$49.64 round trip
$3.85/gal
25.4 MPG avg
57 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.08 | $26.34 | $52.67 |
| premium | $4.43 | $28.59 | $57.18 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $36.39 | $72.78 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.24
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
(3.6 mi)
$0.24
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 57.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
EV Charging Along Route
23 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent
Outlets At Silverthorne - Tesla Supercharger
Silverthorne, CO
Tesla
12 DCFC
AC Hotel - Tesla Supercharger
Frisco, CO
Tesla
12 DCFC
Idaho Springs, CO
Idaho Springs, CO
RIVIAN_ADVENTURE
10 DCFC
Kum & Go #0909 - Tesla Supercharger
Kremmling, CO
Tesla
8 DCFC
Kum & Go - Tesla Supercharger
Silverthorne, CO
Tesla
8 DCFC
Kum & Go - Tesla Supercharger
Idaho Springs, CO
Tesla
8 DCFC
2001 Colorado Boulevard
Idaho Springs, CO
LOOP
6 DCFC
910 Yampa St
Steamboat Springs, CO
LOOP
4 DCFC
ChargePoint Network: 14
Tesla: 5
LOOP: 2
Electrify America: 1
RIVIAN_ADVENTURE: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 49.1 | 0 | $17.20 | $7.86 |
| Efficient EV | 41 | 0 | $14.33 | $6.55 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 65.5 | 0 | $22.93 | $10.48 |
Gas CO2
57 kg
EV CO2
19 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.
Destination
Broomfield, CO
Afternoon in Broomfield on Monday
Local time
4:05 PM
MDT
Current temp
42°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
14 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
3h 35m 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 Steamboat Springs, CO to Broomfield, CO covers 163.8 miles and takes about 3h 35m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 70, US 40, Colorado River Headwaters Scenic Byway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 81.9 miles from Steamboat Springs, CO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $24.82 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 163.8 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 89.2 miles (CO 9): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 152.5 miles (I 76 / Heartland Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 153.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Steamboat Springs, CO to Broomfield, CO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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Return Trip
Broomfield, CO to Steamboat Springs, COPlan the drive back the other way.
164 mi
3h 36m
Continue From Broomfield, CO
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