How far is Aurora, CO from Wheat Ridge, CO?

The driving distance from Aurora, CO to Wheat Ridge, CO is about 17.9 miles (28.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 29m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 13.3 miles (21.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 58m 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
17.88 mi
00h 29m
Flight
13.27 mi
21.36 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Aurora.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
13.27 mi
Kilometers
21.36 km
Flight Time
00h 01m

Driving Distance

Road route
17.88 mi
Kilometers
28.77 km
Drive Time
00h 29m

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 29m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Wheat Ridge
Thu, Apr 23, 12:42 AM MDT
Return by in Aurora
Thu, Apr 23, 1:12 AM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Aurora
2026-04-23T00:13
Arrive Wheat Ridge
Thu, Apr 23, 12:42 AM MDT
Route Timing
00h 29m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM MDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:29 AM to 7:29 PM MDT

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

Leave by
7:32 PM MDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Aurora
10:00 PM MDT
Flexible departure

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
Commerce City
CO

The most populous city in Adams County, Colorado.

From Aurora
8.9 mi
00h 14m
To Wheat Ridge
8.9 mi
00h 14m

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
67°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
9 to 21 mph W

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Aurora and Wheat Ridge.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Aurora and Wheat Ridge.

  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 left to continue on Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway

    9.1 mi · 12 min · Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward CO 95: Sheridan Boulevard

    1167 ft · 33 sec

  14. 14

    Turn left onto Sheridan Boulevard

    1.6 km · 2 min · Sheridan Boulevard

  15. 15

    Turn straight

    86 m · 12 sec

  16. 16

    Turn straight onto West 38th Avenue

    1.2 mi · 3 min · West 38th Avenue

  17. 17

    Turn left onto Teller Street

    1205 ft · 35 sec · Teller Street

  18. 18

    Turn right

    7 m · 2 sec

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Aurora and Wheat Ridge.

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
19 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
106.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway
11.2 mi · 63%
I 225 North
1.47 mi · 8%
West 38th Avenue
1.25 mi · 7%
I 70 West
1.13 mi · 6%
Sheridan Boulevard
0.97 mi · 5%
North Potomac Street
0.57 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway

Keep slight left to continue on Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway

9.13 mi · 00h 12m

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 29m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
00h 58m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+4.6 mi
13.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Commerce City
00h 14m from Aurora
Leave By
7:32 PM MDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Aurora and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Wheat Ridge.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Aurora to Wheat Ridge?

The road trip is about 17.9 miles (28.8 km) and usually takes 00h 29m 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?

Commerce City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 8.9 miles from Aurora and 8.9 miles from Wheat Ridge.

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

The direct path is about 13.3 miles (21.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.6 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:32 PM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.33 one way or $4.66 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 5.6 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 Wheat Ridge.

Stop Ideas Near Commerce City

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 Commerce City and the surrounding midpoint area.
Fairplay Park
Scenic stop 6.7 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 4.2 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
Town Hall Arts Center
Nearby stop 12.3 mi away

Town Hall Arts Center

Littleton , CO
2450 Main St, Littleton, CO 80120
Rating 4.7/5 204 reviews Performing arts theater,Art gallery
Municipal Court Park
Scenic stop 6.2 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 Commerce City.

BUS

Denver (Bus Station), Colorado

8 mi away
1055 19th Street
RAIL

Union Station

8 mi away
1701 Wynkoop Street
BUS

Boulder, Colorado

41 mi away
30th & Diagonal Highway
BUS

Longmont, Colorado

43 mi away
623 Main St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Aurora and Wheat Ridge. Straight-line distance: 13.27 mi (21.36 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
Wheat Ridge

#2 Wheat Ridge

City in Colorado, USA

Population31,857
Coordinates39.7661000, -105.0772100
Altitude1664
CountryUnited States
Start: Aurora (-104.83192, 39.72943)
End: Wheat Ridge (-105.07721, 39.7661)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 29 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 35m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 26m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 21m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 17m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 15m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 13m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.63 gal
2.39 L · about $2.33
Round trip
$4.66
1.26 gal · 4.78 L
Estimated CO2
5.6 kg one way
Round trip: 11.2 kg / 25 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.70 $2.33 $4.66
Mid-grade $4.08 $2.57 $5.15
Premium $4.39 $2.77 $5.53
Diesel $4.74 $2.98 $5.97

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 Wheat Ridge. The current time is 00:13:09.

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.