How far is Boulder, CO from Ken Caryl, CO?

The driving distance from Boulder, CO to Ken Caryl, CO is about 36 miles (57.9 km), with a travel time of about 00h 55m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 31.5 miles (50.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 50m 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
35.99 mi
00h 55m
Flight
31.48 mi
50.67 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
31.48 mi
Kilometers
50.67 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
35.99 mi
Kilometers
57.92 km
Drive Time
00h 55m

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 55m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Ken Caryl
Thu, Apr 23, 1:07 AM MDT
Return by in Boulder
Thu, Apr 23, 2:02 AM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Boulder
2026-04-23T00:12
Arrive Ken Caryl
Thu, Apr 23, 1:07 AM MDT
Route Timing
00h 55m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:55 AM to 10:55 AM MDT

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

Leave by
4:40 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
Golden
CO

County seat of Jefferson County, Colorado, United States

From Boulder
18 mi
00h 27m
To Ken Caryl
18 mi
00h 27m

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
65°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
9 to 20 mph WNW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Boulder and Ken Caryl.

  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 Baseline Road

    865 ft · 18 sec

  6. 6

    Keep slight left to continue on Baseline Road, Broadway South

    116 m · 16 sec

  7. 7

    Continue on 27th Way

    1484 ft · 46 sec · 27th Way

  8. 8

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Broadway

    2.2 mi · 4 min · Broadway

  9. 9

    Continue on South Foothills Highway

    8.3 mi · 12 min · South Foothills Highway

  10. 10

    Continue straight

    7.5 mi · 11 min

  11. 11

    Continue on Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway

    2.9 mi · 5 min · Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway

  12. 12

    Turn right

    10.9 mi · 13 min

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward Ken Caryl Avenue

    1783 ft · 46 sec

  14. 14

    Turn left onto West Ken Caryl Avenue

    1.6 mi · 3 min · West Ken Caryl Avenue

  15. 15

    Turn right onto South Continental Divide Road

    124 m · 17 sec · South Continental Divide Road

  16. 16

    Turn left onto South Sangre de Cristo Road

    723 ft · 34 sec · South Sangre de Cristo Road

  17. 17

    Turn right onto South Cottonwood Mountain

    806 ft · 35 sec · South Cottonwood Mountain

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South Cottonwood Mountain

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
18 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
1
0 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
50 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
South Foothills Highway
15.8 mi · 44%
Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
2.9 mi · 8%
Broadway
2.19 mi · 6%
West Ken Caryl Avenue
1.6 mi · 4%
28th Street
0.76 mi · 2%
Arapahoe Avenue
0.61 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Longest stretch

Turn right

10.9 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 55m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 50m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+4.5 mi
31.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Golden
00h 27m from Boulder
Leave By
4:40 PM MDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny then Chance Snow Showers leaving Boulder and Mostly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers near Ken Caryl.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Boulder to Ken Caryl?

The road trip is about 36 miles (57.9 km) and usually takes 00h 55m 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?

Golden is a useful midpoint, sitting about 18 miles from Boulder and 18 miles from Ken Caryl.

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

The direct path is about 31.5 miles (50.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.5 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:40 PM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.70 one way or $9.39 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11.3 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 Chance Rain Showers near Ken Caryl.

Stop Ideas Near Golden

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 Golden and the surrounding midpoint area.
Municipal Court Park
Scenic stop 11.5 mi away

Municipal Court Park

Westminster , CO
3025 W 76th Ave, Westminster, CO 80030
Rating 3.8/5 94 reviews Park
Denver City Council
Meeting point 13.1 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

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Golden.

RAIL

Union Station

19 mi away
1701 Wynkoop Street
BUS

Denver (Bus Station), Colorado

20 mi away
1055 19th Street
BUS

Boulder, Colorado

34 mi away
30th & Diagonal Highway
BUS

Pine Junction, CO

35 mi away
76 Mount Evans Boulevard

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Boulder and Ken Caryl. Straight-line distance: 31.48 mi (50.67 km).

Boulder

#1 Boulder

The most populous city in Boulder County, Colorado.

Population107,645
Coordinates40.0149900, -105.2705500
Altitude1624
CountryUnited States
Ken Caryl

#2 Ken Caryl

Census-designated place in Jefferson County, Colorado

Population32,438
Coordinates39.5758200, -105.1122100
Altitude1756
CountryUnited States
Start: Boulder (-105.27055, 40.01499)
End: Ken Caryl (-105.11221, 39.57582)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 58 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 11m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 53m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 43m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 35m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 30m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 26m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.27 gal
4.81 L · about $4.70
Round trip
$9.39
2.54 gal · 9.62 L
Estimated CO2
11.3 kg one way
Round trip: 22.6 kg / 50 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.70 $4.70 $9.39
Mid-grade $4.08 $5.19 $10.37
Premium $4.39 $5.58 $11.15
Diesel $4.74 $6.02 $12.03

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 Ken Caryl. The current time is 00:12:25.

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.