How far is Boulder, CO from Vail, CO?
The driving distance from Boulder, CO to Vail, CO is about 108.3 miles (174.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 20m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 64 miles (103 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 40m 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 02h 20m.
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.
Statutory Town in Clear Creek County, Colorado, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Partly Sunny then Chance Snow Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Boulder and Vail.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Boulder and Vail.
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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
83.4 mi · 1 hr 39 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward Vail Town Center
1189 ft · 29 sec
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16
Enter the roundabout and take exit 4 toward Vail Road
78 m · 7 sec · Vail Road
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17
Exit the roundabout onto Vail Road
91 m · 9 sec · Vail Road
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18
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Vail Road
49 m · 4 sec · Vail Road
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19
Exit the roundabout onto Vail Road
152 m · 27 sec · Vail Road
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20
Turn left onto East Meadow Drive
674 ft · 31 sec · East Meadow Drive
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21
Turn right onto Willow Bridge Road
158 m · 30 sec · Willow Bridge Road
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22
Turn left onto Gore Creek Drive
124 m · 20 sec · Gore Creek Drive
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23
Turn right onto Wall Street
46 m · 7 sec · Wall Street
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Wall Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Boulder and Vail.
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
83.4 mi · 01h 39m
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.
Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Boulder and Partly Sunny then Chance Snow Showers near Vail.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Boulder to Vail?
The road trip is about 108.3 miles (174.3 km) and usually takes 02h 20m 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?
Empire is a useful midpoint, sitting about 54.1 miles from Boulder and 54.2 miles from Vail.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 64 miles (103 km), while the road route adds roughly 44.3 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:50 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.13 one way or $28.25 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 33.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Boulder and Partly Sunny then Chance Snow Showers near Vail.
Stop Ideas Near Empire
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 Empire.
Fraser – Winter Park
Frisco, Colorado
Pine Junction, CO
Granby
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Boulder and Vail. Straight-line distance: 64.03 mi (103.05 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 Vail
Home Rule Municipality in Eagle County, Colorado, United States
| Population | 5,489 |
| Coordinates | 39.6402600, -106.3742000 |
| Altitude | 2496 |
| Country | United States |
End: Vail (-106.3742, 39.64026)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 174 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 36m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 42m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 09m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 48m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 32m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 21m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $14.13 | $28.25 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $15.60 | $31.20 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $16.77 | $33.55 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $18.10 | $36.19 |
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 21, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.