How far is Carbondale, CO from Lakewood, CO?
The driving distance from Carbondale, CO to Lakewood, CO is about 165.3 miles (266.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 54m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 115.4 miles (185.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 48m 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 54m.
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.
Home Rule Municipality in Eagle County, Colorado, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Carbondale and Lakewood.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carbondale and Lakewood.
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1
Start on Merrill Avenue
10 m · 1 sec · Merrill Avenue
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2
Continue on North 4th Street
578 ft · 28 sec · North 4th Street
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3
Turn right onto Main Street
2382 ft · 49 sec · Main Street
-
4
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward the route
5 m · 1 sec
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5
Exit the roundabout
141 m · 10 sec
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6
Continue straight
1.3 km · 2 min
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7
Continue straight
741 ft · 20 sec
-
8
Turn left
9.9 mi · 16 min
-
9
Turn left onto 27th Street
693 ft · 14 sec · 27th Street
-
10
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward 27th Street
26 m · 2 sec · 27th Street
-
11
Exit the roundabout onto 27th Street
621 ft · 13 sec · 27th Street
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12
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Midland Avenue
4 m · 1 sec · Midland Avenue
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13
Exit the roundabout onto Midland Avenue
1.6 mi · 3 min · Midland Avenue
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14
Turn right onto West 8th Street
2084 ft · 51 sec · West 8th Street
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15
Turn left onto Grand Avenue
1204 ft · 41 sec · Grand Avenue
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16
Continue on Laurel Street
740 ft · 38 sec · Laurel Street
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17
Take the exit left
824 ft · 20 sec
-
18
Merge slight left
145.3 mi · 2 hr 48 min
-
19
Take the exit slight right toward US 6 East: 6th Avenue, Lakewood
1795 ft · 44 sec
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20
Merge slight left onto West 6th Avenue Freeway
4.9 mi · 6 min · West 6th Avenue Freeway
-
21
Take the exit slight right toward CO 121 South: Wadsworth Boulevard
1090 ft · 27 sec
-
22
Turn slight right onto North Wadsworth Boulevard
1.4 mi · 3 min · North Wadsworth Boulevard
-
23
Continue on South Wadsworth Boulevard
112 m · 15 sec · South Wadsworth Boulevard
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Wadsworth Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Carbondale and Lakewood.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Laurel Street
Merge slight left
145 mi · 02h 48m
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 Cloudy leaving Carbondale and Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Lakewood.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Carbondale to Lakewood?
The road trip is about 165.3 miles (266.1 km) and usually takes 02h 54m 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?
Vail is a useful midpoint, sitting about 83.1 miles from Carbondale and 82.3 miles from Lakewood.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 115.4 miles (185.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 49.9 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 12:42 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.60 one way or $43.19 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 51.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Carbondale and Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Lakewood.
Stop Ideas Near Vail
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 Vail.
Vail, Colorado
Frisco, Colorado
Fairplay, CO
Fraser – Winter Park
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Carbondale and Lakewood. Straight-line distance: 115.36 mi (185.66 km).
#1 Carbondale
Town of the United States
| Population | 6,729 |
| Coordinates | 39.4022100, -107.2111600 |
| Altitude | 1881 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Lakewood
The fifth most populous city in Colorado.
| Population | 157,429 |
| Coordinates | 39.7047100, -105.0813700 |
| Altitude | 1682 |
| Country | United States |
End: South Wadsworth Boulevard (-105.081428, 39.70471)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 266 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 30m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 08m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 18m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 45m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 21m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 03m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $21.60 | $43.19 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $23.85 | $47.70 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $25.64 | $51.29 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $27.66 | $55.33 |
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 29, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.