How far is Boulder, CO from Mead, CO?

The driving distance from Boulder, CO to Mead, CO is about 25.1 miles (40.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 38m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 20.8 miles (33.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 17m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM MDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
25.07 mi
00h 38m
Flight
20.83 mi
33.53 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Boulder.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
20.83 mi
Kilometers
33.53 km
Flight Time
00h 02m

Driving Distance

Road route
25.07 mi
Kilometers
40.35 km
Drive Time
00h 38m

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 38m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Mead
Fri, Apr 17, 5:03 PM MDT
Return by in Boulder
Fri, Apr 17, 5:42 PM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Boulder
2026-04-17T16:24
Arrive Mead
Fri, Apr 17, 5:03 PM MDT
Route Timing
00h 38m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM MDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:39 AM to 7:39 PM MDT

This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.

Leave by
7:12 PM MDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Boulder
10:00 PM MDT
Flexible departure

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
Longmont
CO

The most populous city in Boulder County, Colorado.

From Boulder
12.6 mi
00h 19m
To Mead
12.6 mi
00h 19m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
43°F
Friday

Snow Showers

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
5 to 9 mph NNE
Destination
41°F
Friday

Snow Showers

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
14 to 18 mph NNE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    1.6 mi · 4 min · Arapahoe Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Foothills Parkway

    2.5 mi · 4 min · Foothills Parkway

  5. 5

    Continue on Diagonal Highway

    8.6 mi · 11 min · Diagonal Highway

  6. 6

    Continue on Ken Pratt Boulevard

    5.4 mi · 8 min · Ken Pratt Boulevard

  7. 7

    Continue on Highway 119

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Highway 119

  8. 8

    Turn left onto County Road 5 1/2

    1.1 mi · 2 min · County Road 5 1/2

  9. 9

    At the end of the road, turn right onto County Road 26

    2854 ft · 58 sec · County Road 26

  10. 10

    Continue on County Road 7

    3.9 mi · 7 min · County Road 7

  11. 11

    Continue on South 3rd Street

    636 ft · 22 sec · South 3rd Street

  12. 12

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 3rd Street

Car Route Details

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

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
12 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
0
0 merges, 0 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
47.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Diagonal Highway
8.58 mi · 34%
Ken Pratt Boulevard
5.45 mi · 22%
County Road 7
3.9 mi · 16%
Foothills Parkway
2.54 mi · 10%
Arapahoe Avenue
1.56 mi · 6%
Highway 119
1.24 mi · 5%
Longest Stretch

Diagonal Highway

Continue on Diagonal Highway

8.58 mi · 00h 11m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

A short regional drive

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

Drive Time
00h 38m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
01h 18m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+4.3 mi
20.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Longmont
00h 19m from Boulder
Leave By
7:12 PM MDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Snow Showers leaving Boulder and Snow Showers near Mead.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 25.1 miles (40.4 km) and usually takes 00h 38m in normal driving conditions.

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

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Longmont is a useful midpoint, sitting about 12.6 miles from Boulder and 12.6 miles from Mead.

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

The direct path is about 20.8 miles (33.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.3 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:12 PM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.25 one way or $6.51 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 7.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Snow Showers around Boulder and Snow Showers near Mead.

Stop Ideas Near Longmont

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 Longmont and the surrounding midpoint area.
Old Town Hall
Scenic stop 10.5 mi away

Old Town Hall

Frederick , CO
105 Fifth St, Frederick, CO 80530
Rating 4.0/5 2 reviews Historical landmark,History museum
Boulder City Council
Meeting point 11.6 mi away

Boulder City Council

Boulder , CO
1777 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80302
Rating 1.9/5 13 reviews City government office
Lafayette City Hall
Nearby stop 10.7 mi away

Lafayette City Hall

Lafayette , CO
1290 S Public Rd, Lafayette, CO 80026
Rating 5.0/5 2 reviews City administration

Transit and Meeting Points

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

BUS

Longmont, Colorado

623 Main St.
BUS

Boulder, Colorado

19 mi away
30th & Diagonal Highway
BUS

Fort Collins, Colorado

46 mi away
250 North Mason St.
BUS

Denver (Bus Station), Colorado

47 mi away
1055 19th Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Boulder and Mead. Straight-line distance: 20.83 mi (33.53 km).

Boulder

#1 Boulder

The most populous city in Boulder County, Colorado.

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

#2 Mead

Town in Weld County, Colorado, United States

Population5,003
Coordinates40.2333200, -104.9985900
Altitude1525
CountryUnited States
Start: Boulder (-105.27055, 40.01499)
End: Mead (-104.99859, 40.23332)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 40 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 50m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 37m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 30m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 25m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 21m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 18m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.88 gal
3.35 L · about $3.25
Round trip
$6.51
1.76 gal · 6.7 L
Estimated CO2
7.8 kg one way
Round trip: 15.6 kg / 34 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.70 $3.25 $6.51
Mid-grade $4.08 $3.59 $7.19
Premium $4.39 $3.86 $7.73
Diesel $4.74 $4.17 $8.34

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 17, 2026

There is no time difference between Boulder and Mead. The current time is 16:24:59.

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.