How far is Boulder, CO from Fountain, CO?

The driving distance from Boulder, CO to Fountain, CO is about 111.3 miles (179.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 07m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 97 miles (156.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 15m 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
111.27 mi
02h 07m
Flight
96.98 mi
156.08 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
96.98 mi
Kilometers
156.08 km
Flight Time
00h 11m

Driving Distance

Road route
111.27 mi
Kilometers
179.07 km
Drive Time
02h 07m

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 02h 07m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Fountain
Wed, Apr 15, 10:31 AM MDT
Return by in Boulder
Wed, Apr 15, 12:38 PM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Boulder
2026-04-15T08:23
Arrive Fountain
Wed, Apr 15, 10:31 AM MDT
Route Timing
02h 07m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:08 AM to 12:08 PM MDT

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

Leave by
2:14 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

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Castle Rock
CO

The most populous city in Douglas County, Colorado.

From Boulder
55.7 mi
01h 03m
To Fountain
55.6 mi
01h 03m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
62°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
7 to 12 mph W
Destination
68°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph WSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    68.1 mi · 1 hr 15 min · North Valley Highway

  17. 17

    Continue on Monument Valley Freeway

    8.8 mi · 10 min · Monument Valley Freeway

  18. 18

    Continue on Ronald Reagan Highway

    915 ft · 12 sec · Ronald Reagan Highway

  19. 19

    Keep slight left to continue on Ronald Reagan Highway

    11.1 mi · 12 min · Ronald Reagan Highway

  20. 20

    Take the exit slight right toward US 85 North: Fountain

    1042 ft · 20 sec

  21. 21

    Keep slight left to continue on US 85 North: Fountain

    61 m · 11 sec

  22. 22

    Turn left onto Santa Fe Avenue

    3010 ft · 1 min · Santa Fe Avenue

  23. 23

    Turn right onto West Indiana Avenue

    1035 ft · 24 sec · West Indiana Avenue

  24. 24

    At the end of the road, turn left onto South Main Street

    1001 ft · 20 sec · South Main Street

  25. 25

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South Main Street

Car Route Details

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

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
25 steps
15 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
22.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
North Valley Highway
68.1 mi · 61%
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
19.7 mi · 18%
Ronald Reagan Highway
11.2 mi · 10%
Monument Valley Freeway
8.76 mi · 8%
I 25 south
0.86 mi · 1%
28th Street
0.76 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

North Valley Highway

Merge slight left onto North Valley Highway

68.1 mi · 01h 15m

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
02h 07m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 16m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+14.3 mi
97 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Castle Rock
01h 03m from Boulder
Leave By
2:14 PM MDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Boulder and Mostly Sunny near Fountain.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 111.3 miles (179.1 km) and usually takes 02h 07m 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?

Castle Rock is a useful midpoint, sitting about 55.7 miles from Boulder and 55.6 miles from Fountain.

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

The direct path is about 97 miles (156.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.3 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 2:14 PM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.83 one way or $31.65 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 38 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Boulder and Mostly Sunny near Fountain.

Stop Ideas Near Castle Rock

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Castle Rock, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Castle Rock.

BUS

Denver (Bus Station), Colorado

44 mi away
1055 19th Street
RAIL

Union Station

44 mi away
1701 Wynkoop Street
BUS

Pine Junction, CO

48 mi away
76 Mount Evans Boulevard
BUS

Colorado Springs, Colorado

60 mi away
120 South Weber Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Boulder and Fountain. Straight-line distance: 96.98 mi (156.08 km).

Boulder

#1 Boulder

The most populous city in Boulder County, Colorado.

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

#2 Fountain

City in Colorado, United States

Population31,017
Coordinates38.6822200, -104.7008100
Altitude1690
CountryUnited States
Start: Boulder (-105.27055, 40.01499)
End: Fountain (-104.70081, 38.68222)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 179 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 42m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 46m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 13m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 51m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 35m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 23m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.28 gal
16.19 L · about $15.83
Round trip
$31.65
8.56 gal · 32.38 L
Estimated CO2
38 kg one way
Round trip: 76.1 kg / 168 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.70 $15.83 $31.65
Mid-grade $4.08 $17.48 $34.96
Premium $4.39 $18.79 $37.59
Diesel $4.74 $20.27 $40.55

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

There is no time difference between Boulder and Fountain. The current time is 08:23:33.

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.