How far is Boulder, CO from Columbine, CO?

The driving distance from Boulder, CO to Columbine, CO is about 43 miles (69.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 58m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 31.4 miles (50.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 56m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
43.02 mi
00h 58m
Flight
31.39 mi
50.52 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Boulder.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
31.39 mi
Kilometers
50.52 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
43.02 mi
Kilometers
69.24 km
Drive Time
00h 58m

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 58m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Columbine
Thu, Apr 23, 5:17 AM MDT
Return by in Boulder
Thu, Apr 23, 6:15 AM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Boulder
2026-04-23T04:19
Arrive Columbine
Thu, Apr 23, 5:17 AM MDT
Route Timing
00h 58m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:58 AM to 10:58 AM MDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:34 PM MDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Boulder
9:30 PM MDT
Morning start is best

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
Twin Lakes
CO

City in Freeborn County, Minnesota, United States of America

From Boulder
21.5 mi
00h 29m
To Columbine
21.5 mi
00h 29m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
60°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny then Chance Snow Showers

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
16 to 25 mph W
Destination
67°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
7 to 17 mph W

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Boulder and Columbine.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Boulder and Columbine.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    27 m · 7 sec

  2. 2

    Turn right onto 19th Street

    44 m · 14 sec · 19th Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Arapahoe Avenue

    3210 ft · 2 min · Arapahoe Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn right onto 28th Street

    1.2 km · 2 min · 28th Street

  5. 5

    Turn straight onto Denver–Boulder Turnpike

    3.4 mi · 4 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike

  6. 6

    Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike

    1.7 mi · 2 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike

    2.6 mi · 3 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike

    2.4 mi · 3 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike

    2.2 mi · 3 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike

    1.9 mi · 2 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike

  11. 11

    Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike

    2.5 mi · 3 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike

  12. 12

    Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike

    2 mi · 2 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike

  13. 13

    Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike

    1.1 mi · 1 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward I 25 south: Denver

    2497 ft · 47 sec

  15. 15

    Continue on I 25 south: Denver

    2037 ft · 34 sec

  16. 16

    Merge slight left onto North Valley Highway

    8.2 mi · 11 min · North Valley Highway

  17. 17

    Take the exit slight right toward US 85: Santa Fe Drive

    9.6 mi · 13 min

  18. 18

    Turn right onto West Mineral Avenue

    1.4 mi · 2 min · West Mineral Avenue

  19. 19

    Continue on West Ken Caryl Avenue

    1.1 mi · 2 min · West Ken Caryl Avenue

  20. 20

    Turn right onto South Pierce Street

    2071 ft · 46 sec · South Pierce Street

  21. 21

    Turn right onto West Roxbury Place

    756 ft · 31 sec · West Roxbury Place

  22. 22

    Turn left onto South Newland Street

    626 ft · 28 sec · South Newland Street

  23. 23

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South Newland Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Boulder and Columbine.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
23 steps
16 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
53.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
19.7 mi · 46%
US 85
9.62 mi · 22%
North Valley Highway
8.23 mi · 19%
West Mineral Avenue
1.41 mi · 3%
West Ken Caryl Avenue
1.14 mi · 3%
I 25 south
0.86 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

US 85

Take the exit slight right toward US 85: Santa Fe Drive

9.62 mi · 00h 13m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
00h 58m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 56m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+11.6 mi
31.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Twin Lakes
00h 29m from Boulder
Leave By
4:34 PM MDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny then Chance Snow Showers leaving Boulder and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Columbine.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Boulder to Columbine?

The road trip is about 43 miles (69.2 km) and usually takes 00h 58m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Twin Lakes is a useful midpoint, sitting about 21.5 miles from Boulder and 21.5 miles from Columbine.

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

The direct path is about 31.4 miles (50.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.6 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:34 PM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.62 one way or $11.24 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 13.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Chance Snow Showers around Boulder and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Columbine.

Stop Ideas Near Twin Lakes

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 Twin Lakes and the surrounding midpoint area.
Fairplay Park
Scenic stop 10.3 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 5.8 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 14.6 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 2.4 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 Twin Lakes.

BUS

Denver (Bus Station), Colorado

8 mi away
1055 19th Street
RAIL

Union Station

8 mi away
1701 Wynkoop Street
BUS

Boulder, Colorado

35 mi away
30th & Diagonal Highway
BUS

Longmont, Colorado

39 mi away
623 Main St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Boulder and Columbine. Straight-line distance: 31.39 mi (50.52 km).

Boulder

#1 Boulder

The most populous city in Boulder County, Colorado.

Population107,645
Coordinates40.0149900, -105.2705500
Altitude1624
CountryUnited States
Columbine

#2 Columbine

School shooting at Columbine High School in Columbine, Colorado, United States on 20 April 1999

Population24,280
Coordinates39.5877700, -105.0694300
Altitude1688
CountryUnited States
Start: Boulder (-105.27055, 40.01499)
End: Columbine (-105.06943, 39.58777)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 69 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 26m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 04m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 51m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 43m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 36m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 32m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.52 gal
5.75 L · about $5.62
Round trip
$11.24
3.04 gal · 11.5 L
Estimated CO2
13.5 kg one way
Round trip: 27 kg / 60 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.70 $5.62 $11.24
Mid-grade $4.08 $6.21 $12.42
Premium $4.39 $6.67 $13.35
Diesel $4.74 $7.20 $14.40

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 Boulder and Columbine. The current time is 04:19:02.

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.