How far is Aspen, CO from Denver, CO?
The driving distance from Aspen, CO to Denver, CO is about 158.9 miles (255.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 27m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 104.8 miles (168.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 55m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 03h 27m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Town in Colorado, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Aspen and Denver.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Aspen and Denver.
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1
Start on the route
73 m · 20 sec
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2
Turn left onto East Main Street
1095 ft · 38 sec · East Main Street
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3
Continue on South Original Street
753 ft · 31 sec · South Original Street
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4
Turn left onto East Cooper Avenue
42.9 mi · 1 hr 39 min · East Cooper Avenue
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5
At the end of the road, turn left
13.9 mi · 18 min
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6
Turn left onto McWethy Drive
2541 ft · 52 sec · McWethy Drive
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7
Turn right onto West 8th Street
55 m · 4 sec · West 8th Street
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8
Continue on West 6th Street
1.3 km · 2 min · West 6th Street
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9
At the end of the road, turn left onto Harrison Avenue
106 m · 16 sec · Harrison Avenue
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10
Turn right onto East 7th Street
646 ft · 23 sec · East 7th Street
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11
Turn left onto Poplar Street
589 ft · 27 sec · Poplar Street
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12
At the end of the road, turn left onto East 9th Street
11 m · 2 sec · East 9th Street
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13
Turn right onto Poplar Street
1.6 km · 2 min · Poplar Street
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14
Continue straight
22.1 mi · 28 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward I 70 East
1738 ft · 33 sec
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16
Merge slight left
65.4 mi · 1 hr 20 min
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17
Take the exit slight right toward US 6 East: 6th Avenue, Lakewood
1795 ft · 44 sec
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18
Merge slight left onto West 6th Avenue Freeway
10.1 mi · 14 min · West 6th Avenue Freeway
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19
Turn left onto North Lincoln Street
1.4 km · 3 min · North Lincoln Street
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20
Turn right onto East 14th Avenue
108 m · 17 sec · East 14th Avenue
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21
Turn left
109 m · 28 sec
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Aspen and Denver.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
I 70 East
Merge slight left
65.4 mi · 01h 20m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Sunny leaving Aspen and Mostly Sunny near Denver.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Aspen to Denver?
The road trip is about 158.9 miles (255.7 km) and usually takes 03h 27m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Breckenridge is a useful midpoint, sitting about 79.5 miles from Aspen and 79.4 miles from Denver.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 104.8 miles (168.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 54.1 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:04 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.75 one way or $41.49 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Aspen and Mostly Sunny near Denver.
Stop Ideas Near Breckenridge
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Breckenridge.
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Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Aspen and Denver. Straight-line distance: 104.84 mi (168.72 km).
#1 Aspen
Town in Pitkin County, Colorado, USA
| Population | 7,657 |
| Coordinates | 39.1911000, -106.8175400 |
| Altitude | 2405 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Denver
The twentieth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Denver metropolitan area.
| Population | 735,538 |
| Coordinates | 39.7391500, -104.9847000 |
| Altitude | 1609 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-104.984198, 39.739139)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 256 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 17m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 58m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 10m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 38m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 16m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 58m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $20.75 | $41.49 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $22.91 | $45.82 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $24.63 | $49.27 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $26.57 | $53.15 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.