How far is Boulder, CO from Brighton, CO?
The driving distance from Boulder, CO to Brighton, CO is about 29 miles (46.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 38m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 23.9 miles (38.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 16m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM MDT.
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.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 38m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
City in Colorado
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Boulder and Brighton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Boulder and Brighton.
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1
Start on the route
27 m · 7 sec
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2
Turn right onto 19th Street
44 m · 14 sec · 19th Street
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3
Turn left onto Arapahoe Avenue
3210 ft · 2 min · Arapahoe Avenue
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4
Turn right onto 28th Street
1.2 km · 2 min · 28th Street
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5
Turn straight onto Denver–Boulder Turnpike
3.4 mi · 4 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike
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6
Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike
1.7 mi · 2 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike
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7
Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike
2.6 mi · 3 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike
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8
Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike
3170 ft · 42 sec · Denver–Boulder Turnpike
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9
Take the exit slight right toward Northwest Parkway, Interlocken Loop
1460 ft · 29 sec
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10
Keep slight left to continue on Northwest Parkway, RTD Park-n-Ride, Louisville
67 m · 8 sec
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11
Turn left onto Interlocken Loop
650 ft · 24 sec · Interlocken Loop
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12
Continue on Northwest Parkway
9.5 mi · 10 min · Northwest Parkway
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13
Continue on E-470
2322 ft · 26 sec · E-470
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14
Take the exit slight right toward York Street
3162 ft · 1 min
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15
Turn left onto York Street
1.3 km · 1 min · York Street
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16
Turn right onto East 160th Avenue
6.7 mi · 9 min · East 160th Avenue
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17
Continue on West Bridge Street
2260 ft · 54 sec · West Bridge Street
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18
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward West Bridge Street
47 m · 3 sec · West Bridge Street
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19
Exit the roundabout onto West Bridge Street
77 m · 4 sec · West Bridge Street
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20
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward West Bridge Street
51 m · 3 sec · West Bridge Street
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21
Exit the roundabout onto West Bridge Street
126 m · 14 sec · West Bridge Street
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22
Turn right onto South Main Street
584 ft · 23 sec · South Main Street
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23
Turn left onto Bush Street
126 m · 11 sec · Bush Street
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Bush Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Boulder and Brighton.
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.
Northwest Parkway
Continue on Northwest Parkway
9.49 mi · 00h 10m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Boulder and Mostly Sunny near Brighton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Boulder to Brighton?
The road trip is about 29 miles (46.6 km) and usually takes 00h 38m 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?
Lafayette is a useful midpoint, sitting about 14.5 miles from Boulder and 14.5 miles from Brighton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 23.9 miles (38.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.1 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:14 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.77 one way or $7.54 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 9.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Boulder and Mostly Sunny near Brighton.
Stop Ideas Near Lafayette
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Municipal Court Park
Broomfield City Council
Lafayette City Hall
Historic Brighton City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Lafayette.
Boulder, Colorado
Longmont, Colorado
Denver (Bus Station), Colorado
Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Boulder and Brighton. Straight-line distance: 23.9 mi (38.47 km).
#1 Boulder
The most populous city in Boulder County, Colorado.
| Population | 107,645 |
| Coordinates | 40.0149900, -105.2705500 |
| Altitude | 1624 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Brighton
A city in Adams County, Colorado.
| Population | 40,783 |
| Coordinates | 39.9852600, -104.8205300 |
| Altitude | 1519 |
| Country | United States |
End: Brighton (-104.82053, 39.98526)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 47 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 57m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 43m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 34m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 28m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 24m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 21m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $3.77 | $7.54 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $4.17 | $8.33 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $4.48 | $8.96 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $4.83 | $9.66 |
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 17, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.