How far is Centennial, CO from Gilcrest, CO?

The driving distance from Centennial, CO to Gilcrest, CO is about 57.4 miles (92.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 20m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 48.8 miles (78.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 41m 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
57.33 mi
01h 20m
Flight
48.84 mi
78.6 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
48.84 mi
Kilometers
78.6 km
Flight Time
00h 05m

Driving Distance

Road route
57.33 mi
Kilometers
92.27 km
Drive Time
01h 20m

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 01h 20m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Gilcrest
Sun, Apr 19, 1:35 PM MDT
Return by in Centennial
Sun, Apr 19, 2:56 PM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Centennial
2026-04-19T12:14
Arrive Gilcrest
Sun, Apr 19, 1:35 PM MDT
Route Timing
01h 20m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:21 AM to 11:21 AM MDT

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

Leave by
3:48 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
Thornton
CO

The seventh most populous city in Colorado.

From Centennial
28.7 mi
00h 40m
To Gilcrest
28.6 mi
00h 40m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
69°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
6 to 9 mph SSE
Destination
74°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
3 to 8 mph S

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  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

    19.7 mi · 25 min · South Valley Highway

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward I 76: Grand Junction, Fort Morgan, 70th Avenue

    611 ft · 8 sec

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on I 76 East: Fort Morgan

    2635 ft · 1 min

  10. 10

    Merge slight left onto Heartland Expressway

    6.5 mi · 7 min · Heartland Expressway

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on CanAm Highway

    29.5 mi · 44 min · CanAm Highway

  12. 12

    Turn left onto Elm Street

    19 m · 5 sec · Elm Street

  13. 13

    Turn right onto West Service Road

    921 ft · 40 sec · West Service Road

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West Service Road

Car Route Details

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

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
14 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
2 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
24.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
CanAm Highway
29.5 mi · 52%
South Valley Highway
19.7 mi · 34%
Heartland Expressway
6.47 mi · 11%
I 76 East
0.5 mi · 1%
East Dry Creek Road
0.3 mi · 1%
I 25 North
0.25 mi
Longest Stretch

CanAm Highway

Keep slight left to continue on CanAm Highway

29.5 mi · 00h 44m

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
01h 20m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 42m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+8.6 mi
48.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Thornton
00h 40m from Centennial
Leave By
3:48 PM MDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Centennial and Sunny near Gilcrest.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 57.4 miles (92.3 km) and usually takes 01h 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?

Thornton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 28.7 miles from Centennial and 28.6 miles from Gilcrest.

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

The direct path is about 48.8 miles (78.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.6 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 3:48 PM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.47 one way or $14.94 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 18 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Thornton

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 Thornton 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 12.1 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
Lafayette City Hall
Nearby stop 13.2 mi away

Lafayette City Hall

Lafayette , CO
1290 S Public Rd, Lafayette, CO 80026
Rating 5.0/5 2 reviews City administration
Municipal Court Park
Scenic stop 8.8 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 Thornton.

BUS

Denver (Bus Station), Colorado

13 mi away
1055 19th Street
RAIL

Union Station

13 mi away
1701 Wynkoop Street
BUS

Boulder, Colorado

34 mi away
30th & Diagonal Highway
BUS

Longmont, Colorado

35 mi away
623 Main St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Centennial and Gilcrest. Straight-line distance: 48.84 mi (78.6 km).

Centennial

#1 Centennial

The second most populous city in Arapahoe County, Colorado.

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

#2 Gilcrest

City in Weld County, Colorado, United States of America

Population1,169
Coordinates40.2819300, -104.7777500
Altitude1449
CountryUnited States
Start: Centennial (-104.87692, 39.57916)
End: Gilcrest (-104.77775, 40.28193)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 92 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 54m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 26m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 08m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 57m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 49m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 42m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.02 gal
7.66 L · about $7.47
Round trip
$14.94
4.04 gal · 15.32 L
Estimated CO2
18 kg one way
Round trip: 35.9 kg / 79 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.70 $7.47 $14.94
Mid-grade $4.08 $8.25 $16.50
Premium $4.39 $8.87 $17.74
Diesel $4.74 $9.57 $19.14

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 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Centennial and Gilcrest. The current time is 12:14:50.

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.