How far is Arvada, CO from Boulder, CO?

The driving distance from Arvada, CO to Boulder, CO is about 21.6 miles (34.7 km), with a travel time of about 00h 32m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 17.6 miles (28.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 04m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM MDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
21.56 mi
00h 32m
Flight
17.58 mi
28.3 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Arvada.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
17.58 mi
Kilometers
28.3 km
Flight Time
00h 02m

Driving Distance

Road route
21.56 mi
Kilometers
34.7 km
Drive Time
00h 32m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 00h 32m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Boulder
Wed, Apr 22, 5:54 PM MDT
Return by in Arvada
Wed, Apr 22, 6:26 PM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Arvada
2026-04-22T17:22
Arrive Boulder
Wed, Apr 22, 5:54 PM MDT
Route Timing
00h 32m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM MDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:32 AM to 7:32 PM MDT

This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.

Leave by
7:26 PM MDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Arvada
10:00 PM MDT
Flexible departure

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Broomfield
CO

A city in Broomfield County, Colorado.

From Arvada
10.7 mi
00h 16m
To Boulder
10.8 mi
00h 16m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
81°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
7 to 21 mph SW
Destination
75°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
7 to 17 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Arvada and Boulder.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Arvada and Boulder.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    13 m · 5 sec

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Ammons Street

    18 m · 7 sec · Ammons Street

  3. 3

    Turn left

    96 m · 25 sec

  4. 4

    At the end of the road, turn right onto Allison Street

    53 m · 14 sec · Allison Street

  5. 5

    Turn left onto Ralston Road

    2679 ft · 1 min · Ralston Road

  6. 6

    Turn left onto Wadsworth Bypass

    1.5 km · 2 min · Wadsworth Bypass

  7. 7

    Continue on Wadsworth Boulevard

    3.1 mi · 5 min · Wadsworth Boulevard

  8. 8

    Continue on Wadsworth Parkway

    3.9 mi · 7 min · Wadsworth Parkway

  9. 9

    Continue on Interlocken Loop

    1961 ft · 50 sec · Interlocken Loop

  10. 10

    Take the ramp slight right toward US 36 West: Boulder

    1504 ft · 34 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left onto Denver–Boulder Turnpike

    1 mi · 1 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike

  12. 12

    Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike

    2.9 mi · 3 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike

  13. 13

    Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike

    2.4 mi · 3 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike

  14. 14

    Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike

    2.2 mi · 3 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike

  15. 15

    Keep slight left to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike

    2.3 mi · 3 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike

  16. 16

    Continue on 28th Street

    1.2 km · 2 min · 28th Street

  17. 17

    Turn left onto Arapahoe Avenue

    1 km · 2 min · Arapahoe Avenue

  18. 18

    Turn right onto 19th Street

    44 m · 11 sec · 19th Street

  19. 19

    Turn left

    27 m · 5 sec

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Arvada and Boulder.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
20 steps
13 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
92.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
10.8 mi · 50%
Wadsworth Parkway
3.93 mi · 18%
Wadsworth Boulevard
3.09 mi · 14%
Wadsworth Bypass
0.93 mi · 4%
28th Street
0.76 mi · 4%
Arapahoe Avenue
0.64 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

Wadsworth Parkway

Continue on Wadsworth Parkway

3.93 mi · 00h 07m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A short regional drive

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

Drive Time
00h 32m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
01h 04m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+4 mi
17.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Broomfield
00h 16m from Arvada
Leave By
7:26 PM MDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Arvada and Mostly Sunny near Boulder.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Arvada to Boulder?

The road trip is about 21.6 miles (34.7 km) and usually takes 00h 32m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Broomfield is a useful midpoint, sitting about 10.7 miles from Arvada and 10.8 miles from Boulder.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 17.6 miles (28.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 4 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:26 PM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.81 one way or $5.62 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 6.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Arvada and Mostly Sunny near Boulder.

Stop Ideas Near Broomfield

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Broomfield and the surrounding midpoint area.
Municipal Court Park
Scenic stop 8 mi away

Municipal Court Park

Westminster , CO
3025 W 76th Ave, Westminster, CO 80030
Rating 3.8/5 94 reviews Park
Denver City Council
Meeting point 14.7 mi away

Denver City Council

Denver , CO
1437 Bannock St rm 451, Denver, CO 80202
Rating 3.6/5 92 reviews City government office,County government office
Lafayette City Hall
Nearby stop 4.3 mi away

Lafayette City Hall

Lafayette , CO
1290 S Public Rd, Lafayette, CO 80026
Rating 5.0/5 2 reviews City administration

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Broomfield.

RAIL

Union Station

20 mi away
1701 Wynkoop Street
BUS

Denver (Bus Station), Colorado

21 mi away
1055 19th Street
BUS

Boulder, Colorado

23 mi away
30th & Diagonal Highway
BUS

Longmont, Colorado

28 mi away
623 Main St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Arvada and Boulder. Straight-line distance: 17.58 mi (28.3 km).

Arvada

#1 Arvada

The second most populous city in Jefferson County, Colorado.

Population121,936
Coordinates39.8027600, -105.0874800
Altitude1629
CountryUnited States
Boulder

#2 Boulder

The most populous city in Boulder County, Colorado.

Population107,645
Coordinates40.0149900, -105.2705500
Altitude1624
CountryUnited States
Start: (-105.087396, 39.802633)
End: (-105.27055, 40.014996)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 35 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 43m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 32m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 25m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 21m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 18m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 16m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.76 gal
2.88 L · about $2.81
Round trip
$5.62
1.52 gal · 5.76 L
Estimated CO2
6.8 kg one way
Round trip: 13.5 kg / 30 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.70 $2.81 $5.62
Mid-grade $4.08 $3.10 $6.21
Premium $4.39 $3.34 $6.67
Diesel $4.74 $3.60 $7.20

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Colorado · Apr 22, 2026

There is no time difference between Arvada and Boulder. The current time is 17:22:13.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.