How far is Boulder, CO from Carbondale, CO?
The driving distance from Boulder, CO to Carbondale, CO is about 182.2 miles (293.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 48m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 111.5 miles (179.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 36m 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 48m.
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 Summit County, Colorado, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Boulder and Carbondale.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Boulder and Carbondale.
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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
2993 ft · 54 sec
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13
Take the exit slight right toward I 70 West: Grand Junction
1.3 km · 59 sec
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14
Merge slight left
143.8 mi · 2 hr 44 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward CO 82 East: Glenwood Springs, Aspen
747 ft · 21 sec
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16
Continue on Laurel Street
119 m · 15 sec · Laurel Street
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17
Continue on Grand Avenue
1204 ft · 45 sec · Grand Avenue
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18
Turn right onto 8th Street
2084 ft · 49 sec · 8th Street
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19
At the end of the road, turn left onto Midland Avenue
1.6 mi · 3 min · Midland Avenue
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20
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward 27th Street
54 m · 3 sec · 27th Street
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21
Exit the roundabout onto 27th Street
636 ft · 13 sec · 27th Street
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22
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward 27th Street
26 m · 2 sec · 27th Street
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23
Exit the roundabout onto 27th Street
692 ft · 19 sec · 27th Street
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24
Turn right onto Glen Avenue
9.8 mi · 16 min · Glen Avenue
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25
Turn right
1.1 mi · 2 min
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26
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Main Street
68 m · 3 sec · Main Street
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27
Exit the roundabout onto Main Street
2385 ft · 53 sec · Main Street
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28
Turn left onto North 4th Street
610 ft · 27 sec · North 4th Street
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29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Merrill Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Boulder and Carbondale.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 70 West
Merge slight left
144 mi · 02h 44m
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.
Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers leaving Boulder and Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms near Carbondale.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Boulder to Carbondale?
The road trip is about 182.2 miles (293.2 km) and usually takes 03h 48m 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?
Frisco is a useful midpoint, sitting about 91 miles from Boulder and 91.2 miles from Carbondale.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 111.5 miles (179.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 70.7 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 9:24 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.78 one way or $47.56 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 57.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers around Boulder and Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms near Carbondale.
Stop Ideas Near Frisco
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 Frisco.
Frisco, Colorado
Vail, Colorado
Fairplay, CO
Fraser – Winter Park
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Boulder and Carbondale. Straight-line distance: 111.5 mi (179.44 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 Carbondale
Town of the United States
| Population | 6,729 |
| Coordinates | 39.4022100, -107.2111600 |
| Altitude | 1881 |
| Country | United States |
End: Carbondale (-107.21116, 39.40221)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 293 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 04m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 33m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 38m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 02m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 36m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 16m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $23.78 | $47.56 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $26.26 | $52.52 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $28.23 | $56.47 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $30.46 | $60.92 |
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.