Origin
Westminster, CO
Afternoon in Westminster on Friday
Local time
3:55 PM
MDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Westminster, CO to Wray, CO
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 9m
Distance
166.7 mi
268 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 58m
★
6 AM
3h 10m
8 AM
3h 33m
10 AM
3h 18m
12 PM
3h 16m
3 PM
3h 19m
5 PM
3h 32m
8 PM
3h 3m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Westminster, CO
Wikimedia Commons
Wray, CO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Westminster, CO to Wray, CO covers 166.7 miles and takes about 3h 9m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Heartland Expressway, West 1st Street, US Highway 34 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 84 miles on Heartland Expressway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $25.12 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
83.3 miles from Westminster, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 28m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 9m. Total distance: 166.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Drive Character
This is a 3h 9m highway drive covering 166.7 miles, with most of the trip on Heartland Expressway and West 1st Street. The longest continuous stretch is about 84 miles on Heartland Expressway.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Heartland Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 84 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Heartland Expressway and West 1st Street. 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 West 74th Avenue.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 166.7 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 (West 74th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 1.1 miles (US 287 / Federal Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.3 miles (US 36 / Denver–Boulder Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.8 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
West 74th Avenue
Turn left onto West 74th Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
1.1 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
US 287 / Federal Boulevard
Turn left onto US 287 / Federal Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
8
2.3 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
US 36 / Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36 / Denver–Boulder Turnpike toward I 25: Denver, Fort Collins
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 25: Denver, Fort Collins
7
10.4 mi into trip
|
~15m in
|
I 76 / Heartland Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76 / Heartland Expressway toward I 76 East: Fort Morgan
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 76 East: Fort Morgan
6
90.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 36m in
|
US 34 / US Highway 34
At end of road, turn left onto US 34 / US Highway 34
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
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 Westminster, CO to Wray, CO, road signs begin pointing toward Yuma along the way.
Yuma
89.4 mi in
|
~1h 35m
|
via US 6
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Heartland Expressway | 84 mi | 1h 24m |
| West 1st Street | 54.9 mi | 1h 7m |
| US Highway 34 | 21.2 mi | 24m |
| Denver–Boulder Turnpike | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| US Highway 6 | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| West 76th Avenue | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Irving Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Heartland Expressway
— 84 mi, about 1h 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Westminster, CO and Wray, CO.
1
Start on Newton Street
0.1 mi
·
39 sec
·
Newton Street
2
Turn left onto West 76th Avenue
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
West 76th Avenue
3
Turn right onto Irving Street
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
Irving Street
4
Turn left onto West 74th Avenue
0.2 mi
·
58 sec
·
West 74th Avenue
5
Turn left onto US 287
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
Federal Boulevard
Use the straight / left lanes.
6
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
54 sec
Toward US 36 East: Denver
Use the slight right lane.
7
Merge onto US 36
0.5 mi
·
36 sec
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
8
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Toward I 25: Denver, Fort Collins
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 270
0.6 mi
·
41 sec
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
1.2 mi
·
2 min
Exit 1
Toward I 76 East: Fort Morgan
11
Merge onto I 76
5.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Heartland Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 76
79 mi
·
1 hr 19 min
·
Heartland Expressway
Toward I 76 East: Fort Morgan
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit onto US 6
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
US 6
Toward US 34, US 6: Akron, Yuma, Wray
14
Turn right onto I 76 Business; US 34 Spur
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
US Highway 6
Use the left lane.
15
At end of road, turn left onto US 34
21 mi
·
24 min
·
US Highway 34
Use the left lane.
16
Continue on US 34
55 mi
·
1 hr 7 min
·
West 1st Street
Use the straight lane.
17
Turn right onto Adams Street
0.2 mi
·
52 sec
·
Adams Street
18
At end of road, turn left onto West 6th Street
53 ft
·
2 sec
·
West 6th Street
19
Arrive at destination
West 6th 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 83.3 miles from Westminster, CO, or about 1h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 84 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 37 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 83.3 miles or 1h 28m 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 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wray, CO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Westminster, 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 Westminster, CO
This is one driving day of about 166.7 miles and 3h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Westminster, 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 Heartland Expressway for about 84 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 83.3 mi from Westminster, CO · 1h 28m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
83 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 37 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 83.3 miles from Westminster, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Heartland Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 84 miles.
Arriving in Wray, CO
The final approach into Wray, 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 Wray, 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
$25.12 one way
$50.23 round trip
$3.83/gal
25.4 MPG avg
58 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.05 | $26.59 | $53.19 |
| premium | $4.39 | $28.84 | $57.68 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $36.81 | $73.61 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.13
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
(1.8 mi)
$0.13
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: 58.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 50 | 0 | $17.50 | $8.00 |
| Efficient EV | 41.7 | 0 | $14.59 | $6.67 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 66.7 | 0 | $23.34 | $10.67 |
Gas CO2
58 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (66% 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
Wray, CO
Afternoon in Wray on Friday
Local time
3:55 PM
MDT
Current temp
84°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
38 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 9m 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 Westminster, CO to Wray, CO covers 166.7 miles and takes about 3h 9m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Heartland Expressway, West 1st Street, US Highway 34. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 83.3 miles from Westminster, CO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $25.12 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 15 significant decision points across 166.7 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 0.8 miles (West 74th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 1.1 miles (US 287 / Federal Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.3 miles (US 36 / Denver–Boulder Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Westminster, CO to Wray, CO, road signs begin pointing toward Yuma along the way.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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