The drive from Westminster, CO to Clifton, CO covers 239.8 miles and takes about 4h 30m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 70, Sheridan Boulevard, I 70 BUS for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 232.9 miles on I 70.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $36.13 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
119.9 miles from Westminster, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 16m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 30m. Total distance: 239.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
This is a 4h 30m highway drive covering 239.8 miles, with most of the trip on I 70 and Sheridan Boulevard. The longest continuous stretch is about 232.9 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 11 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 232.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 70 and Sheridan Boulevard. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in near CO 95 / Sheridan Boulevard.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 30m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1 miles (CO 95 / Sheridan Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.9 miles (I 76 / Heartland Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 5.2 miles (I 70): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
1 mi into trip|~2m in|CO 95 / Sheridan Boulevard
Turn left onto CO 95 / Sheridan Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
3.9 mi into trip|~7m in|I 76 / Heartland Expressway
Merge onto I 76 / Heartland Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
5.2 mi into trip|~9m in|I 70
Merge onto I 70
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
238.1 mi into trip|~4h 27m in|I 70 BUS
Take the exit onto I 70 BUS toward I 70 Business, US 6, US 50: Clifton, Grand Junction, Delta
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 37
Toward I 70 Business, US 6, US 50: Clifton, Gra...
5
239.5 mi into trip|~4h 30m in|US 6 / F Road
Turn sharp left onto US 6 / F Road
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 70
232.9 mi
4h 18m
Sheridan Boulevard
2.5 mi
4m
I 70 BUS
1.4 mi
2m
Heartland Expressway
1.3 mi
1m
West 76th Avenue
0.8 mi
2m
F Road
0.3 mi
<1m
Newton Street
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 70
— 232.9 mi, about 4h 18m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Westminster, CO and Clifton, CO.
1
Start on Newton Street
0.1 mi·35 sec·Newton Street
2
Turn right onto West 76th Avenue
0.8 mi·2 min·West 76th Avenue
3
Turn left onto CO 95
2.5 mi·4 min·Sheridan Boulevard
Use the left lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward I 76 West
5
Merge onto I 76
1.3 mi·1 min·Heartland Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Merge onto I 70
233 mi·4 hr 18 min·I 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit onto I 70 BUS
1.4 mi·2 min·I 70 BUS
Exit 37Toward I 70 Business, US 6, US 50: Clifton, Grand Junction, Delta
8
Turn sharp left onto US 6
0.2 mi·33 sec·F Road
Use the left lane.
9
Enter roundabout onto US 6
76 ft·1 sec·F Road
10
Continue on US 6
361 ft·10 sec·F Road
11
Arrive at destination
US 6
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 119.9 miles from Westminster, CO, or about 2h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 232.9 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 53 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 119.9 miles or 2h 16m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clifton, 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 239.8 miles and 4h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 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 I 70 for about 232.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 119.9 mi from Westminster, CO
· 2h 16m into the drive
The midpoint is around 119.9 miles from Westminster, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before I 70 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 232.9 miles.
Arriving in Clifton, CO
The final approach into Clifton, 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 Clifton, CO.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Colorado National Monument
National Monument
Colorado National Monument preserves one of the grand landscapes of the American West. But this treasure is much more than a monument. Towering monoliths exist within a vast plateau and canyon panoram...
13 mi from route
~33 min detour
$25
near mile 239.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.13 one way
$72.26 round trip
$3.83/gal25.4 MPG avg84 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.05
$38.25
$76.51
premium
$4.39
$41.48
$82.97
diesel
$5.61
$52.94
$105.89
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 83.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
71.9
0
$25.18
$11.51
Efficient EV
60
0
$20.98
$9.59
EV Truck/SUV
95.9
1
$33.57
$15.35
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Westminster, CO
Late night
in Westminster on Friday
Local time
5:38 AM
MDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Clifton, CO
Late night
in Clifton on Friday
Local time
5:38 AM
MDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
35°F
Avon, CO
120 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
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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 30m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 Clifton, CO covers 239.8 miles and takes about 4h 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 70, Sheridan Boulevard, I 70 BUS. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 119.9 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 $36.13 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a straightforward 4h 30m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 1 miles (CO 95 / Sheridan Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.9 miles (I 76 / Heartland Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 5.2 miles (I 70): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Westminster, CO to Clifton, CO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Colorado National Monument.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from
OSRM
over
OpenStreetMap.
Fuel cost uses
EIA
weekly regional averages.
National park proximity is from the
NPS API.
Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our
methodology page
documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
