How far is Boulder, CO from Rifle, CO?
The driving distance from Boulder, CO to Rifle, CO is about 194.9 miles (313.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 52m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 137.5 miles (221.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 45m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 52m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Human settlement in Eagle County, Colorado, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Sunny then Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Boulder and Rifle.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Boulder and Rifle.
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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 Baseline Road
865 ft · 18 sec
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6
Keep slight left to continue on Baseline Road, Broadway South
116 m · 16 sec
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7
Continue on 27th Way
1484 ft · 46 sec · 27th Way
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8
At the end of the road, turn left onto Broadway
2.2 mi · 4 min · Broadway
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9
Continue on South Foothills Highway
8.3 mi · 12 min · South Foothills Highway
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10
Continue straight
7.5 mi · 11 min
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11
Continue on Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
2.9 mi · 5 min · Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
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12
Turn right
2993 ft · 54 sec
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13
Take the exit slight right toward I 70 West: Grand Junction
1.3 km · 59 sec
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14
Merge slight left
169.7 mi · 3 hr 11 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward CO 13 North: Rifle, Meeker
1067 ft · 27 sec
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16
Turn right
2556 ft · 1 min
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17
Continue on Railroad Avenue
1824 ft · 48 sec · Railroad Avenue
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Railroad Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Boulder and Rifle.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 70 West
Merge slight left
170 mi · 03h 11m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Boulder and Mostly Sunny then Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms near Rifle.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Boulder to Rifle?
The road trip is about 194.9 miles (313.6 km) and usually takes 03h 52m 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?
Red Cliff is a useful midpoint, sitting about 97.3 miles from Boulder and 97.6 miles from Rifle.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 137.5 miles (221.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 57.4 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 9:14 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.44 one way or $50.88 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 61.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Boulder and Mostly Sunny then Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms near Rifle.
Stop Ideas Near Red Cliff
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Red Cliff.
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Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Boulder and Rifle. Straight-line distance: 137.48 mi (221.26 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 Rifle
City in Colorado
| Population | 9,775 |
| Coordinates | 39.5347000, -107.7831200 |
| Altitude | 1630 |
| Country | United States |
End: Rifle (-107.78312, 39.5347)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 314 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 29m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 52m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 53m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 14m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 47m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 25m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $25.44 | $50.88 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $28.10 | $56.20 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $30.21 | $60.42 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $32.59 | $65.18 |
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 25, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.