How far is Boulder, CO from Orchard Mesa, CO?

The driving distance from Boulder, CO to Orchard Mesa, CO is about 257.4 miles (414.3 km), with a travel time of about 05h 04m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 187.3 miles (301.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 08m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
257.45 mi
05h 04m
Flight
187.32 mi
301.47 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Boulder.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
187.32 mi
Kilometers
301.47 km
Flight Time
00h 22m

Driving Distance

Road route
257.45 mi
Kilometers
414.32 km
Drive Time
05h 04m

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 05h 04m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Orchard Mesa
Thu, Apr 23, 2:39 AM MDT
Return by in Boulder
Thu, Apr 23, 7:44 AM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Boulder
2026-04-22T21:35
Arrive Orchard Mesa
Thu, Apr 23, 2:39 AM MDT
Route Timing
05h 04m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:04 AM to 1:04 PM MDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
6:52 AM MDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Boulder
9:00 PM MDT
Early departure recommended

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
Edwards
CO

Location in Colorado, USA

From Boulder
128.6 mi
02h 32m
To Orchard Mesa
128.9 mi
02h 32m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
75°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
7 to 17 mph SW
Destination
72°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
15 to 25 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Boulder and Orchard Mesa.

  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

    2993 ft · 54 sec

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward I 70 West: Grand Junction

    1.3 km · 59 sec

  14. 14

    Merge slight left

    223.4 mi · 4 hr 7 min

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward I 70 Business, US 6, US 50: Clifton, Grand Junction, Delta

    1.6 mi · 3 min

  16. 16

    Continue straight

    4.2 mi · 7 min

  17. 17

    Continue straight

    2 mi · 4 min

  18. 18

    Turn left onto South 5th Street

    2 mi · 4 min · South 5th Street

  19. 19

    Turn left onto 27 Road

    10 m · 1 sec · 27 Road

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · 27 Road

Car Route Details

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

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
20 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
7.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 70 West
224 mi · 87%
South Foothills Highway
15.8 mi · 6%
I 70 Business
7.81 mi · 3%
Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
2.9 mi · 1%
Broadway
2.19 mi · 1%
South 5th Street
2.04 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

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.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
05h 04m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
10h 08m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+70.1 mi
187.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Edwards
02h 32m from Boulder
Leave By
6:52 AM MDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Boulder and Sunny near Orchard Mesa.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Boulder to Orchard Mesa?

The road trip is about 257.4 miles (414.3 km) and usually takes 05h 04m 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 128.6 miles from Boulder and 128.9 miles from Orchard Mesa.

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

The direct path is about 187.3 miles (301.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 70.1 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 6:52 AM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.58 one way or $67.16 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 80.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Edwards

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Edwards, 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 Edwards.

BUS

Vail, Colorado

21 mi away
241 South Frontage Road East
BUS

Frisco, Colorado

43 mi away
1010 Meadow Drive
RAIL

Glenwood Springs

63 mi away
413 7th Street
BUS

Fairplay, CO

70 mi away
620 US Highway 285

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Boulder and Orchard Mesa. Straight-line distance: 187.32 mi (301.47 km).

Boulder

#1 Boulder

The most populous city in Boulder County, Colorado.

Population107,645
Coordinates40.0149900, -105.2705500
Altitude1624
CountryUnited States
Orchard Mesa

#2 Orchard Mesa

Census-designated place in Mesa County, Colorado

Population6,836
Coordinates39.0430400, -108.5523200
Altitude1417
CountryUnited States
Start: Boulder (-105.27055, 40.01499)
End: Orchard Mesa (-108.55232, 39.04304)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 414 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)08h 34m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 26m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 08m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 17m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 40m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 12m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
9.08 gal
34.39 L · about $33.58
Round trip
$67.16
18.16 gal · 68.78 L
Estimated CO2
80.7 kg one way
Round trip: 161.4 kg / 356 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.70 $33.58 $67.16
Mid-grade $4.08 $37.08 $74.17
Premium $4.39 $39.87 $79.74
Diesel $4.74 $43.01 $86.02

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 Orchard Mesa. The current time is 21:35:52.

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.