How far is Boulder, CO from Clifton, CO?
The driving distance from Boulder, CO to Clifton, CO is about 249.3 miles (401.2 km), with a travel time of about 04h 49m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 180.9 miles (291.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 39m 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 04h 49m.
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.
Location in Colorado, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers Likely
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Boulder and Clifton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Boulder and Clifton.
-
1
Start on the route
27 m · 7 sec
-
2
Turn right onto 19th Street
44 m · 14 sec · 19th Street
-
3
Turn left onto Arapahoe Avenue
3210 ft · 2 min · Arapahoe Avenue
-
4
Turn right onto 28th Street
1.2 km · 2 min · 28th Street
-
5
Turn straight onto Baseline Road
865 ft · 18 sec
-
6
Keep slight left to continue on Baseline Road, Broadway South
116 m · 16 sec
-
7
Continue on 27th Way
1484 ft · 46 sec · 27th Way
-
8
At the end of the road, turn left onto Broadway
2.2 mi · 4 min · Broadway
-
9
Continue on South Foothills Highway
8.3 mi · 12 min · South Foothills Highway
-
10
Continue straight
7.5 mi · 11 min
-
11
Continue on Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
2.9 mi · 5 min · Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
-
12
Turn right
2993 ft · 54 sec
-
13
Take the exit slight right toward I 70 West: Grand Junction
1.3 km · 59 sec
-
14
Merge slight left
223.4 mi · 4 hr 7 min
-
15
Take the exit slight right toward I 70 Business, US 6, US 50: Clifton, Grand Junction, Delta
1.4 mi · 3 min
-
16
Turn sharp left onto F Road
952 ft · 34 sec · F Road
-
17
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward F Road
23 m · 1 sec · F Road
-
18
Exit the roundabout onto F Road
110 m · 10 sec · F Road
-
19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · F Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Boulder and Clifton.
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
223 mi · 04h 07m
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.
Rain Showers Likely leaving Boulder and Mostly Sunny near Clifton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Boulder to Clifton?
The road trip is about 249.3 miles (401.2 km) and usually takes 04h 49m 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?
Edwards is a useful midpoint, sitting about 124.5 miles from Boulder and 124.8 miles from Clifton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 180.9 miles (291.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 68.4 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 7:20 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $38.06 one way or $76.12 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 78.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers Likely around Boulder and Mostly Sunny near Clifton.
Stop Ideas Near Edwards
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 Edwards.
Vail, Colorado
Frisco, Colorado
Glenwood Springs
Fairplay, CO
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Boulder and Clifton. Straight-line distance: 180.92 mi (291.17 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 Clifton
Situated at an elevation of 4,724 feet in Mesa County, this community is part of the Grand Valley metropolitan area near the Colorado River.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 39.0919300, -108.4489800 |
| Altitude | 1440 |
| Country | United States |
End: Clifton (-108.44898, 39.09193)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 401 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 18m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 13m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 59m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 09m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 33m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 06m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.33 | $38.06 | $76.12 |
| Mid-grade | $4.72 | $41.53 | $83.05 |
| Premium | $5.06 | $44.55 | $89.11 |
| Diesel | $6.52 | $57.35 | $114.70 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026