How far is Boulder, CO from Palmer Lake, CO?
The driving distance from Boulder, CO to Palmer Lake, CO is about 78 miles (125.5 km), with a travel time of about 01h 34m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 64.5 miles (103.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 08m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 01h 34m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
City in Hamlin County, South Dakota, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Chance Snow Showers
Sunny then Slight Chance Snow Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Boulder and Palmer Lake.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Boulder and Palmer Lake.
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1
Start on the route
27 m · 7 sec
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2
Turn right onto 19th Street
44 m · 14 sec · 19th Street
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3
Turn left onto Arapahoe Avenue
3210 ft · 2 min · Arapahoe Avenue
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4
Turn right onto 28th Street
1.2 km · 2 min · 28th Street
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5
Turn straight onto Denver–Boulder Turnpike
3.4 mi · 4 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike
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6
Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike
1.7 mi · 2 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike
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7
Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike
2.6 mi · 3 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike
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8
Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike
2.4 mi · 3 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike
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9
Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike
2.2 mi · 3 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike
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10
Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike
1.9 mi · 2 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike
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11
Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike
2.5 mi · 3 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike
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12
Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike
2 mi · 2 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike
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13
Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike
1.1 mi · 1 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike
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14
Take the exit slight right toward I 25 south: Denver
2497 ft · 47 sec
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15
Continue on I 25 south: Denver
2037 ft · 34 sec
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16
Merge slight left onto North Valley Highway
52.6 mi · 59 min · North Valley Highway
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17
Take the exit slight right toward County Line Road
1603 ft · 43 sec
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18
Turn right onto County Line Road;West Palmer Divide Avenue
2.5 mi · 5 min · County Line Road;West Palmer Divide Avenue
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19
At the end of the road, turn left onto Spruce Mountain Road
71 m · 7 sec · Spruce Mountain Road
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20
Continue straight
2072 ft · 1 min
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21
Turn right onto Pie Corner
610 ft · 31 sec · Pie Corner
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22
At the end of the road, turn left onto Upper Glenway
68 m · 10 sec · Upper Glenway
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Upper Glenway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Boulder and Palmer Lake.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
North Valley Highway
Merge slight left onto North Valley Highway
52.6 mi · 00h 59m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Mostly Sunny then Chance Snow Showers leaving Boulder and Sunny then Slight Chance Snow Showers near Palmer Lake.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Boulder to Palmer Lake?
The road trip is about 78 miles (125.5 km) and usually takes 01h 34m 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?
Castlewood is a useful midpoint, sitting about 39 miles from Boulder and 39 miles from Palmer Lake.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 64.5 miles (103.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.5 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 3:22 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.17 one way or $20.34 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 24.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Chance Snow Showers around Boulder and Sunny then Slight Chance Snow Showers near Palmer Lake.
Stop Ideas Near Castlewood
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Fairplay Park
Denver City Council
Town Hall Arts Center
City of Littleton
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Castlewood.
Denver (Bus Station), Colorado
Union Station
Pine Junction, CO
Boulder, Colorado
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Boulder and Palmer Lake. Straight-line distance: 64.49 mi (103.79 km).
#1 Boulder
The most populous city in Boulder County, Colorado.
| Population | 107,645 |
| Coordinates | 40.0149900, -105.2705500 |
| Altitude | 1624 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Palmer Lake
City in El Paso County, Colorado, United States of America
| Population | 3,037 |
| Coordinates | 39.1222100, -104.9172000 |
| Altitude | 2224 |
| Country | United States |
End: Palmer Lake (-104.9172, 39.12221)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 126 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 35m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 56m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 33m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 17m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 06m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 58m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $10.17 | $20.34 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $11.23 | $22.46 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $12.08 | $24.15 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $13.03 | $26.05 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.