How far is Aurora, CO from Cortez, CO?
The driving distance from Aurora, CO to Cortez, CO is about 387.2 miles (623.1 km), with a travel time of about 08h 51m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 261.2 miles (420.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 17h 42m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 08h 51m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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.
Human settlement in Colorado, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Rain Showers
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Aurora and Cortez.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Aurora and Cortez.
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1
Start on North Vaughn Street
990 ft · 45 sec · North Vaughn Street
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2
At the end of the road, turn right onto North Zion Street
155 m · 27 sec · North Zion Street
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3
Turn left onto Vaughn Street
78 m · 18 sec · Vaughn Street
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4
Turn left onto East 6th Avenue
1166 ft · 22 sec · East 6th Avenue
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5
Take the ramp slight right toward I 225 South
1635 ft · 42 sec
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6
Merge slight left
8.3 mi · 10 min
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7
Keep slight right to continue on I 25 North: Denver
2426 ft · 55 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto South Valley Highway
1.4 km · 60 sec · South Valley Highway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward US 285, CO 30: Hampden Avenue
1304 ft · 34 sec
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10
Turn left onto East Hampden Avenue
2.8 mi · 5 min · East Hampden Avenue
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11
Continue on East Hampden Bypass
1335 ft · 35 sec · East Hampden Bypass
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12
Continue on East Jefferson Avenue
1.2 km · 2 min · East Jefferson Avenue
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13
Continue on West Hampden Drive
1213 ft · 32 sec · West Hampden Drive
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14
Continue on West Hampden Avenue
111.6 mi · 2 hr 27 min · West Hampden Avenue
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15
At the end of the road, turn left
11.1 mi · 18 min
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16
Continue straight
10 mi · 16 min
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17
Turn left
40.4 mi · 51 min
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18
Turn slight left
23.5 mi · 34 min
-
19
Turn right onto West Highway 112
13.1 mi · 19 min · West Highway 112
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20
Turn right onto Grand Avenue
1 km · 2 min · Grand Avenue
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21
Continue on West U.S. Highway 160
57.8 mi · 1 hr 21 min · West U.S. Highway 160
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22
Continue on San Juan Street
2.6 mi · 5 min · San Juan Street
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23
Continue on US 160
10.5 mi · 14 min · US 160
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24
Continue straight
46.1 mi · 1 hr
-
25
Take the exit slight left
588 ft · 25 sec
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26
At the end of the road, turn left
44.9 mi · 1 hr 1 min
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27
Turn right onto North Market Street
59 m · 11 sec · North Market Street
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28
Turn left
65 m · 16 sec
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29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Aurora and Cortez.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
West Hampden Avenue
Continue on West Hampden Avenue
112 mi · 02h 27m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Rain Showers leaving Aurora and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Cortez.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Aurora to Cortez?
The road trip is about 387.2 miles (623.1 km) and usually takes 08h 51m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Saguache is a useful midpoint, sitting about 193.5 miles from Aurora and 193.7 miles from Cortez.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 261.2 miles (420.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 126 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 7:30 AM MDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $50.51 one way or $101.03 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 121.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy then Chance Rain Showers around Aurora and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Cortez.
Stop Ideas Near Saguache
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 Saguache.
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Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Aurora and Cortez. Straight-line distance: 261.14 mi (420.26 km).
#1 Aurora
The third most populous city in Colorado and the center of the Denver metropolitan area.
| Population | 387,377 |
| Coordinates | 39.7294300, -104.8319200 |
| Altitude | 1648 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Cortez
Town in and county seat of Montezuma County, Colorado, United States
| Population | 8,734 |
| Coordinates | 37.3488800, -108.5859300 |
| Altitude | 1887 |
| Country | United States |
End: Cortez (-108.58593, 37.34888)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 623 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 12h 53m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 09h 40m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 07h 44m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 06h 27m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 31m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 49m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $50.51 | $101.03 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $55.79 | $111.57 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $59.98 | $119.96 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $64.71 | $129.41 |
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 11, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.