How far is Boulder, CO from Buena Vista, CO?
The driving distance from Boulder, CO to Buena Vista, CO is about 133.6 miles (215 km), with a travel time of about 03h 02m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 93.1 miles (149.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 04m 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 02m.
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.
Snow Showers
Snow Showers Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Boulder and Buena Vista.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Boulder and Buena Vista.
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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 Baseline Road
865 ft · 18 sec
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6
Keep slight left to continue on Baseline Road, Broadway South
116 m · 16 sec
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7
Continue on 27th Way
1484 ft · 46 sec · 27th Way
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8
At the end of the road, turn left onto Broadway
2.2 mi · 4 min · Broadway
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9
Continue on South Foothills Highway
8.3 mi · 12 min · South Foothills Highway
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10
Continue straight
7.5 mi · 11 min
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11
Continue on Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
2.9 mi · 5 min · Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
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12
Turn right
6.2 mi · 7 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward US 285 South: Fairplay
1.1 km · 1 min
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14
Merge slight left
101.5 mi · 2 hr 13 min
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15
At the end of the road, turn right
2.3 mi · 3 min
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16
Turn slight right onto Cottonwood Road
145 m · 13 sec · Cottonwood Road
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17
Turn right onto East Main Street
46 m · 3 sec · East Main Street
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Main Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Boulder and Buena Vista.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
US 285 South
Merge slight left
101 mi · 02h 13m
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.
Snow Showers leaving Boulder and Snow Showers Likely near Buena Vista.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Boulder to Buena Vista?
The road trip is about 133.6 miles (215 km) and usually takes 03h 02m 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?
Montezuma is a useful midpoint, sitting about 66.8 miles from Boulder and 66.8 miles from Buena Vista.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 93.1 miles (149.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 40.5 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 10:56 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.45 one way or $34.91 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 41.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Snow Showers around Boulder and Snow Showers Likely near Buena Vista.
Stop Ideas Near Montezuma
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 Montezuma.
Frisco, Colorado
Vail, Colorado
Fraser – Winter Park
Fairplay, CO
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Boulder and Buena Vista. Straight-line distance: 93.14 mi (149.89 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 Buena Vista
Town of the United States
| Population | 3,116 |
| Coordinates | 38.8422200, -106.1311300 |
| Altitude | 2421 |
| Country | United States |
End: Buena Vista (-106.13113, 38.84222)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 215 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 27m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 20m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 40m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 13m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 54m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 40m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $17.45 | $34.91 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $19.28 | $38.55 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $20.73 | $41.45 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $22.36 | $44.72 |
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 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.