How far is Centennial, CO from Buena Vista, CO?

The driving distance from Centennial, CO to Buena Vista, CO is about 127.1 miles (204.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 45m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 84.3 miles (135.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 31m 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
127.08 mi
02h 45m
Flight
84.26 mi
135.61 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
84.26 mi
Kilometers
135.61 km
Flight Time
00h 10m

Driving Distance

Road route
127.08 mi
Kilometers
204.52 km
Drive Time
02h 45m

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 45m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Buena Vista
Fri, Apr 17, 2:42 PM MDT
Return by in Centennial
Fri, Apr 17, 5:27 PM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Centennial
2026-04-17T11:56
Arrive Buena Vista
Fri, Apr 17, 2:42 PM MDT
Route Timing
02h 45m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:46 AM to 12:46 PM MDT

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

Leave by
12:58 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
Montezuma
CO

Town in Colorado, USA

From Centennial
63.5 mi
01h 22m
To Buena Vista
63.6 mi
01h 22m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
48°F
Friday

Rain And Snow Showers

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
7 to 16 mph NNW
Destination
49°F
Friday

Snow Showers Likely

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
10 to 30 mph WSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Centennial and Buena Vista.

  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

    758 ft · 21 sec · East Dry Creek Road

  6. 6

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 25 South

    1814 ft · 46 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto South Valley Highway

    1.6 km · 1 min · South Valley Highway

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward E-470 North, CO 470 West: Limon, Grand Junction

    890 ft · 15 sec

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on CO 470 West: Grand Junction

    737 ft · 13 sec

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on CO 470 West: Grand Junction, Quebec Street

    3035 ft · 47 sec

  11. 11

    Continue straight

    6 mi · 7 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight left toward CO 470 Express

    50 m · 2 sec

  13. 13

    Merge slight left

    1.5 km · 1 min

  14. 14

    Take the exit slight right toward CO 470 West

    38 m · 2 sec

  15. 15

    Merge slight right

    12.9 mi · 15 min

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward US 285 South: Fairplay

    1353 ft · 46 sec

  17. 17

    Merge slight left

    101.8 mi · 2 hr 14 min

  18. 18

    At the end of the road, turn right

    2.3 mi · 3 min

  19. 19

    Turn slight right onto Cottonwood Road

    145 m · 13 sec · Cottonwood Road

  20. 20

    Turn right onto East Main Street

    46 m · 3 sec · East Main Street

  21. 21

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Main Street

Car Route Details

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

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
21 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
9
4 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
16.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 285 South
102 mi · 80%
CO 470 West
19.7 mi · 15%
CO 470 Express
0.98 mi · 1%
South Valley Highway
0.98 mi · 1%
I 25 South
0.34 mi
E-470 North
0.17 mi
Longest Stretch

US 285 South

Merge slight left

102 mi · 02h 14m

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 45m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 32m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+42.8 mi
84.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Montezuma
01h 22m from Centennial
Leave By
12:58 PM MDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Rain And Snow Showers leaving Centennial and Snow Showers Likely near Buena Vista.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Centennial to Buena Vista?

The road trip is about 127.1 miles (204.5 km) and usually takes 02h 45m 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?

Montezuma is a useful midpoint, sitting about 63.5 miles from Centennial and 63.6 miles from Buena Vista.

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

The direct path is about 84.3 miles (135.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 42.8 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 12:58 PM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.60 one way or $33.21 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 39.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Rain And Snow Showers around Centennial and Snow Showers Likely near Buena Vista.

Stop Ideas Near Montezuma

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

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

BUS

Frisco, Colorado

20 mi away
1010 Meadow Drive
BUS

Vail, Colorado

41 mi away
241 South Frontage Road East
RAIL

Fraser – Winter Park

41 mi away
205 Fraser Avenue
BUS

Fairplay, CO

41 mi away
620 US Highway 285

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Centennial and Buena Vista. Straight-line distance: 84.26 mi (135.61 km).

Centennial

#1 Centennial

The second most populous city in Arapahoe County, Colorado.

Population110,156
Coordinates39.5791600, -104.8769200
Altitude1777
CountryUnited States
Buena Vista

#2 Buena Vista

Town of the United States

Population3,116
Coordinates38.8422200, -106.1311300
Altitude2421
CountryUnited States
Start: Centennial (-104.87692, 39.57916)
End: Buena Vista (-106.13113, 38.84222)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 205 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 14m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 10m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 32m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 07m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 48m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 35m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.49 gal
16.98 L · about $16.60
Round trip
$33.21
8.98 gal · 33.96 L
Estimated CO2
39.9 kg one way
Round trip: 79.8 kg / 176 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.70 $16.60 $33.21
Mid-grade $4.08 $18.34 $36.67
Premium $4.39 $19.72 $39.43
Diesel $4.74 $21.27 $42.54

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 17, 2026

There is no time difference between Centennial and Buena Vista. The current time is 11:56:50.

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.