How far is Aurora, CO from Fort Lupton, CO?

The driving distance from Aurora, CO to Fort Lupton, CO is about 31.1 miles (50 km), with a travel time of about 00h 45m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 24.5 miles (39.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 31m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
31.08 mi
00h 45m
Flight
24.57 mi
39.54 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Aurora.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
24.57 mi
Kilometers
39.54 km
Flight Time
00h 02m

Driving Distance

Road route
31.08 mi
Kilometers
50.02 km
Drive Time
00h 45m

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 45m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Fort Lupton
Thu, Apr 23, 2:03 AM MDT
Return by in Aurora
Thu, Apr 23, 2:49 AM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Aurora
2026-04-23T01:18
Arrive Fort Lupton
Thu, Apr 23, 2:03 AM MDT
Route Timing
00h 45m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:46 AM to 10:46 AM MDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:58 PM MDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Aurora
9:30 PM MDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Thornton
CO

The seventh most populous city in Colorado.

From Aurora
15.5 mi
00h 22m
To Fort Lupton
15.5 mi
00h 22m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
68°F
Thursday

Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
8 to 17 mph WNW
Destination
68°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
13 to 22 mph WNW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Aurora and Fort Lupton.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Aurora and Fort Lupton.

  1. 1

    Start on North Vaughn Street

    24 m · 6 sec · North Vaughn Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Toledo Street

    1120 ft · 49 sec · Toledo Street

  3. 3

    Turn slight right onto East 10th Avenue

    78 m · 16 sec · East 10th Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn left onto North Potomac Street

    3014 ft · 1 min · North Potomac Street

  5. 5

    Continue on North Fitzsimons Parkway

    1624 ft · 41 sec · North Fitzsimons Parkway

  6. 6

    Turn right onto East 17th Place

    998 ft · 29 sec · East 17th Place

  7. 7

    Take the ramp left toward I 225 North

    2044 ft · 52 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    1.1 mi · 1 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on I 70 West: Denver

    1.2 km · 1 min

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on I 70 West: Denver

    1917 ft · 47 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left onto Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway

    2.1 mi · 3 min · Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway

  12. 12

    Keep slight right to continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

    3.3 mi · 4 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward US 85, CO 2 North: Vasquez Boulevard

    1448 ft · 36 sec

  14. 14

    Merge slight left onto North Vasquez Boulevard

    2.8 mi · 4 min · North Vasquez Boulevard

  15. 15

    Take the exit straight

    2948 ft · 1 min

  16. 16

    Merge slight left onto Heartland Expressway

    2.7 mi · 3 min · Heartland Expressway

  17. 17

    Keep slight left to continue on CanAm Highway

    14.5 mi · 19 min · CanAm Highway

  18. 18

    Take the exit slight right

    1484 ft · 45 sec

  19. 19

    Turn right onto 1st Street

    1724 ft · 57 sec · 1st Street

  20. 20

    Turn left onto Mc Kinley Avenue

    1632 ft · 1 min · Mc Kinley Avenue

  21. 21

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Mc Kinley Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Aurora and Fort Lupton.

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
21 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
4 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
67.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
CanAm Highway
14.8 mi · 48%
North Vasquez Boulevard
3.39 mi · 11%
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
3.28 mi · 11%
Heartland Expressway
2.65 mi · 9%
Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway
2.09 mi · 7%
I 225 North
1.47 mi · 5%
Longest Stretch

CanAm Highway

Keep slight left to continue on CanAm Highway

14.5 mi · 00h 19m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
00h 45m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 32m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+6.6 mi
24.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Thornton
00h 22m from Aurora
Leave By
4:58 PM MDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Aurora and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Fort Lupton.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Aurora to Fort Lupton?

The road trip is about 31.1 miles (50 km) and usually takes 00h 45m in normal driving conditions.

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

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Thornton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 15.5 miles from Aurora and 15.5 miles from Fort Lupton.

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

The direct path is about 24.5 miles (39.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.6 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:58 PM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.07 one way or $8.14 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 9.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers around Aurora and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Fort Lupton.

Stop Ideas Near Thornton

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 Thornton and the surrounding midpoint area.
Fairplay Park
Scenic stop 9.8 mi away

Fairplay Park

Aurora , CO
2200 Altura Blvd, Aurora, CO 80011
Rating 4.2/5 125 reviews Tourist attraction,Park
Denver City Council
Meeting point 11 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 12.9 mi away

Lafayette City Hall

Lafayette , CO
1290 S Public Rd, Lafayette, CO 80026
Rating 5.0/5 2 reviews City administration
Municipal Court Park
Scenic stop 7.8 mi away

Municipal Court Park

Westminster , CO
3025 W 76th Ave, Westminster, CO 80030
Rating 3.8/5 94 reviews Park

Transit and Meeting Points

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

BUS

Denver (Bus Station), Colorado

13 mi away
1055 19th Street
RAIL

Union Station

13 mi away
1701 Wynkoop Street
BUS

Boulder, Colorado

34 mi away
30th & Diagonal Highway
BUS

Longmont, Colorado

35 mi away
623 Main St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Aurora and Fort Lupton. Straight-line distance: 24.57 mi (39.54 km).

Aurora

#1 Aurora

The third most populous city in Colorado and the center of the Denver metropolitan area.

Population387,377
Coordinates39.7294300, -104.8319200
Altitude1648
CountryUnited States
Fort Lupton

#2 Fort Lupton

City in Weld County, Colorado, United States of America

Population8,666
Coordinates40.0847100, -104.8130300
Altitude1496
CountryUnited States
Start: Aurora (-104.83192, 39.72943)
End: Fort Lupton (-104.81303, 40.08471)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 50 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 02m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 46m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 37m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 31m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 26m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 23m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.1 gal
4.15 L · about $4.07
Round trip
$8.14
2.2 gal · 8.3 L
Estimated CO2
9.8 kg one way
Round trip: 19.6 kg / 43 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.70 $4.07 $8.14
Mid-grade $4.08 $4.49 $8.98
Premium $4.39 $4.83 $9.66
Diesel $4.74 $5.21 $10.42

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

There is no time difference between Aurora and Fort Lupton. The current time is 01:18:11.

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.