How far is Boulder, CO from Penrose, CO?

The driving distance from Boulder, CO to Penrose, CO is about 130.7 miles (210.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 37m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 110.7 miles (178.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 14m 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
130.72 mi
02h 37m
Flight
110.65 mi
178.08 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
110.65 mi
Kilometers
178.08 km
Flight Time
00h 13m

Driving Distance

Road route
130.72 mi
Kilometers
210.37 km
Drive Time
02h 37m

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 37m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Penrose
Fri, May 15, 10:07 PM MDT
Return by in Boulder
Sat, May 16, 12:44 AM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Boulder
2026-05-15T19:29
Arrive Penrose
Fri, May 15, 10:07 PM MDT
Route Timing
02h 37m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:37 AM to 12:37 PM MDT

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

Leave by
1:16 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
Larkspur
CO

Human settlement in Douglas County, Colorado, United States of America

From Boulder
65.4 mi
01h 18m
To Penrose
65.3 mi
01h 18m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
80°F
Friday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Fri, May 15 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
3 to 7 mph SE
Destination
52°F
Overnight

Mostly Clear

Starts
Fri, May 15 1:00 AM MDT
Wind
5 mph W

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    7.8 mi · 9 min · Monument Valley Freeway

  18. 18

    Take the exit slight right toward CO 115 South: Tejon Street, Nevada Avenue

    2749 ft · 1 min

  19. 19

    Turn right onto South Nevada Avenue

    32 mi · 43 min · South Nevada Avenue

  20. 20

    Turn left onto 4th Avenue

    822 ft · 38 sec · 4th Avenue

  21. 21

    Turn right onto Grant Street

    927 ft · 41 sec · Grant Street

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Grant Street

Car Route Details

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

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
22 steps
15 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
16.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
North Valley Highway
68.1 mi · 52%
South Nevada Avenue
32 mi · 24%
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
19.7 mi · 15%
Monument Valley Freeway
7.81 mi · 6%
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 37m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 14m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+20 mi
110.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Larkspur
01h 18m from Boulder
Leave By
1:16 PM MDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Boulder and Mostly Clear near Penrose.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 130.7 miles (210.4 km) and usually takes 02h 37m 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?

Larkspur is a useful midpoint, sitting about 65.4 miles from Boulder and 65.3 miles from Penrose.

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

The direct path is about 110.7 miles (178.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 20 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 1:16 PM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.05 one way or $34.10 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 41 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Larkspur

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

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

BUS

Colorado Springs, Colorado

44 mi away
120 South Weber Street
BUS

Pine Junction, CO

51 mi away
76 Mount Evans Boulevard
BUS

Denver (Bus Station), Colorado

59 mi away
1055 19th Street
RAIL

Union Station

59 mi away
1701 Wynkoop Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Boulder and Penrose. Straight-line distance: 110.65 mi (178.08 km).

Boulder

#1 Boulder

The most populous city in Boulder County, Colorado.

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

#2 Penrose

Place in Colorado, USA

Population3,582
Coordinates38.4250000, -105.0227600
Altitude1626
CountryUnited States
Start: Boulder (-105.27055, 40.01499)
End: Penrose (-105.02276, 38.425)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 210 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 21m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 16m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 36m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 10m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 52m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 37m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.61 gal
17.46 L · about $17.05
Round trip
$34.10
9.22 gal · 34.92 L
Estimated CO2
41 kg one way
Round trip: 81.9 kg / 181 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.70 $17.05 $34.10
Mid-grade $4.08 $18.83 $37.65
Premium $4.39 $20.24 $40.49
Diesel $4.74 $21.84 $43.68

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 · May 16, 2026

There is no time difference between Boulder and Penrose. The current time is 19:29:58.

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.