Drive Time
1h 24m
Distance
74.4 mi
120 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
Photo: Cedric Fauntleroy
The drive from Wellington, CO to Lakewood, CO covers 74.4 miles and takes about 1h 24m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, North Valley Highway, West 6th Avenue Freeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 49.9 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $11.27 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
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
37.2 miles from Wellington, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 38m into the drive .
Expect a 1h 24m drive with frequent turns across 74.4 miles of local and secondary roads.
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
Total Climb
1,548 ft
Total Descent
1,232 ft
Highest Point
5,520 ft
~74.4 mi in
Elevation Range
694 ft
Notable High Points
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in near I 25 / Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 74.4 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 0.7 miles (I 25 / Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 51.3 miles (I 25 / North Valley Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 60.1 miles (I 25 / North Valley Highway): 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.
Merge onto I 25 / Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto I 25 / North Valley Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto I 25 / North Valley Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit onto US 6 toward US 6 West: 6th Avenue, Lakewood
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward CO 121 South: Wadsworth Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 49.9 mi | 49m |
| North Valley Highway | 18.2 mi | 23m |
| West 6th Avenue Freeway | 2.5 mi | 3m |
| North Wadsworth Boulevard | 1.5 mi | 3m |
| US 6 | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| Cleveland Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| South Wadsworth Boulevard | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Wellington, CO and Lakewood, CO.
Start on CO 1
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 25
Continue on I 25
Keep slight right at fork onto I 25
Keep slight right at fork onto I 25
Take the exit onto US 6
Keep slight left at fork onto US 6
Merge onto US 6
Take the exit
Turn straight onto CO 121
Continue on CO 121
Arrive at destination
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.
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 74.4 miles or 1h 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 37.2 miles or 38m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lakewood, CO than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Wellington, 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 Wellington, CO
This is one driving day of about 74.4 miles and 1h 24m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 37.2 mi from Wellington, CO · 38m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
37 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 74.4 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 37.2 miles from Wellington, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Lakewood, 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 Lakewood, CO.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$11.27 one way
$22.55 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.08 | $11.96 | $23.93 |
| premium | $4.43 | $12.98 | $25.97 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $16.53 | $33.06 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 26 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 22.3 | 0 | $7.81 | $3.57 |
| Efficient EV | 18.6 | 0 | $6.51 | $2.98 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 29.8 | 0 | $10.42 | $4.76 |
Gas CO2
26 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (65% 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Afternoon in Wellington on Saturday
Local time
4:49 PM
MDT
Current temp
65°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Afternoon in Lakewood on Saturday
Local time
4:49 PM
MDT
Current temp
64°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
66°F
Thornton, CO
37 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
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Wellington, CO or browse trips ending in Lakewood, CO.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse CO road trips.
Explore maps for Wellington, CO or Lakewood, CO on MapSof.net.
