How far is Centennial, CO from Boulder, CO?

The driving distance from Centennial, CO to Boulder, CO is about 43 miles (69.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 47m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 36.7 miles (59 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 34m 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
42.97 mi
00h 47m
Flight
36.65 mi
58.99 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Centennial.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
36.65 mi
Kilometers
58.99 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
42.97 mi
Kilometers
69.15 km
Drive Time
00h 47m

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 00h 47m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Boulder
Tue, May 12, 8:52 PM MDT
Return by in Centennial
Tue, May 12, 9:40 PM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Centennial
2026-05-12T20:05
Arrive Boulder
Tue, May 12, 8:52 PM MDT
Route Timing
00h 47m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:47 AM to 10:47 AM MDT

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

Leave by
4:56 PM MDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Centennial
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
Twin Lakes
CO

City in Freeborn County, Minnesota, United States of America

From Centennial
21.4 mi
00h 23m
To Boulder
21.5 mi
00h 23m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
80°F
Tuesday

Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
3 to 9 mph NNE
Destination
76°F
Tuesday

Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
0 to 5 mph NE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    151 m · 41 sec

  2. 2

    Turn left

    36 m · 11 sec

  3. 3

    Turn right onto East Panorama Circle

    536 ft · 23 sec · East Panorama Circle

  4. 4

    Turn right onto South Chester Street

    117 m · 15 sec · South Chester Street

  5. 5

    Turn right onto East Dry Creek Road

    1583 ft · 46 sec · East Dry Creek Road

  6. 6

    Turn left onto I 25 North

    1335 ft · 35 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto South Valley Highway

    20.3 mi · 26 min · South Valley Highway

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight left toward US 36 West: Westminster, Boulder

    2930 ft · 52 sec

  9. 9

    Merge slight right onto Denver–Boulder Turnpike

    2.1 mi · 2 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike

    1.7 mi · 2 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike

  11. 11

    Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike

    2.3 mi · 3 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike

  12. 12

    Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike

    1.9 mi · 2 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike

  13. 13

    Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike

    2.1 mi · 2 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike

  14. 14

    Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike

    2.9 mi · 3 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike

  15. 15

    Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike

    2.4 mi · 3 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike

  16. 16

    Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike

    2.2 mi · 3 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike

  17. 17

    Keep slight left to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike

    2.3 mi · 3 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike

  18. 18

    Continue on 28th Street

    1.2 km · 2 min · 28th Street

  19. 19

    Turn left onto Arapahoe Avenue

    1 km · 2 min · Arapahoe Avenue

  20. 20

    Turn right onto 19th Street

    44 m · 11 sec · 19th Street

  21. 21

    Turn left

    27 m · 5 sec

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

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
17 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
2 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
51.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
South Valley Highway
20.3 mi · 47%
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
19.8 mi · 46%
28th Street
0.76 mi · 2%
Arapahoe Avenue
0.64 mi · 1%
US 36 West
0.55 mi · 1%
East Dry Creek Road
0.3 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

South Valley Highway

Merge slight left onto South Valley Highway

20.3 mi · 00h 26m

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
00h 47m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 34m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+6.3 mi
36.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Twin Lakes
00h 23m from Centennial
Leave By
4:56 PM MDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Centennial and Sunny near Boulder.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 43 miles (69.2 km) and usually takes 00h 47m 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?

Twin Lakes is a useful midpoint, sitting about 21.4 miles from Centennial and 21.5 miles from Boulder.

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

The direct path is about 36.7 miles (59 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.3 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 4:56 PM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.62 one way or $11.24 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 13.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Centennial and Sunny near Boulder.

Stop Ideas Near Twin Lakes

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Twin Lakes and the surrounding midpoint area.
Fairplay Park
Scenic stop 10.3 mi away

Fairplay Park

Aurora , CO
2200 Altura Blvd, Aurora, CO 80011
Rating 4.2/5 125 reviews Tourist attraction,Park
Denver City Council
Meeting point 6 mi away

Denver City Council

Denver , CO
1437 Bannock St rm 451, Denver, CO 80202
Rating 3.6/5 92 reviews City government office,County government office
Town Hall Arts Center
Nearby stop 14.8 mi away

Town Hall Arts Center

Littleton , CO
2450 Main St, Littleton, CO 80120
Rating 4.7/5 204 reviews Performing arts theater,Art gallery
Municipal Court Park
Scenic stop 2.4 mi away

Municipal Court Park

Westminster , CO
3025 W 76th Ave, Westminster, CO 80030
Rating 3.8/5 94 reviews Park

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Twin Lakes.

BUS

Denver (Bus Station), Colorado

8 mi away
1055 19th Street
RAIL

Union Station

8 mi away
1701 Wynkoop Street
BUS

Boulder, Colorado

35 mi away
30th & Diagonal Highway
BUS

Longmont, Colorado

39 mi away
623 Main St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Centennial and Boulder. Straight-line distance: 36.65 mi (58.99 km).

Centennial

#1 Centennial

The second most populous city in Arapahoe County, Colorado.

Population110,156
Coordinates39.5791600, -104.8769200
Altitude1777
CountryUnited States
Boulder

#2 Boulder

The most populous city in Boulder County, Colorado.

Population107,645
Coordinates40.0149900, -105.2705500
Altitude1624
CountryUnited States
Start: (-104.877122, 39.579121)
End: (-105.27055, 40.014996)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 69 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 25m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 04m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 51m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 42m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 36m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 32m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.52 gal
5.74 L · about $5.62
Round trip
$11.24
3.04 gal · 11.48 L
Estimated CO2
13.5 kg one way
Round trip: 27 kg / 60 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.70 $5.62 $11.24
Mid-grade $4.08 $6.21 $12.42
Premium $4.39 $6.67 $13.35
Diesel $4.74 $7.20 $14.40

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 13, 2026

There is no time difference between Centennial and Boulder. The current time is 20:05:23.

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.