How far is Centennial, CO from Highlands Ranch, CO?

The driving distance from Centennial, CO to Highlands Ranch, CO is about 8.8 miles (14.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 14m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 5.2 miles (8.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 29m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM MDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
8.82 mi
00h 14m
Flight
5.23 mi
8.41 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Centennial.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
5.23 mi
Kilometers
8.41 km
Flight Time

Driving Distance

Road route
8.82 mi
Kilometers
14.2 km
Drive Time
00h 14m

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 14m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Highlands Ranch
Wed, Apr 22, 8:55 PM MDT
Return by in Centennial
Wed, Apr 22, 9:09 PM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Centennial
2026-04-22T20:40
Arrive Highlands Ranch
Wed, Apr 22, 8:55 PM MDT
Route Timing
00h 14m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM MDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:15 AM to 7:15 PM MDT

This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.

Leave by
8:00 PM MDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Centennial
10:00 PM MDT
Flexible departure

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
Acres Green
CO

Census-designated place (CDP) in northern Douglas County, Colorado, United States

From Centennial
4.4 mi
00h 07m
To Highlands Ranch
4.4 mi
00h 07m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
80°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
9 to 23 mph SW
Destination
80°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
9 to 24 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Centennial and Highlands Ranch.

  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

    4.2 mi · 5 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward CO 177: University Boulevard

    1601 ft · 26 sec

  13. 13

    Turn left onto South University Boulevard

    1.3 km · 2 min · South University Boulevard

  14. 14

    Turn right onto Venneford Ranch Road

    2752 ft · 1 min · Venneford Ranch Road

  15. 15

    Turn right onto East Thistle Ridge Road

    1551 ft · 1 min · East Thistle Ridge Road

  16. 16

    Turn left onto South Wild Iris Run

    107 m · 16 sec · South Wild Iris Run

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South Wild Iris Run

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
17 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
193.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
CO 470 West
4.9 mi · 56%
South Valley Highway
0.98 mi · 11%
South University Boulevard
0.81 mi · 9%
Venneford Ranch Road
0.52 mi · 6%
I 25 South
0.34 mi · 4%
CO 177
0.3 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

CO 470 West

Continue straight

4.19 mi · 00h 05m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A short regional drive

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

Drive Time
00h 14m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
00h 30m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+3.6 mi
5.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Acres Green
00h 07m from Centennial
Leave By
8:00 PM MDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Centennial and Sunny near Highlands Ranch.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Centennial to Highlands Ranch?

The road trip is about 8.8 miles (14.2 km) and usually takes 00h 14m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Acres Green is a useful midpoint, sitting about 4.4 miles from Centennial and 4.4 miles from Highlands Ranch.

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

The direct path is about 5.2 miles (8.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.6 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:00 PM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $1.15 one way or $2.29 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 2.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Centennial and Sunny near Highlands Ranch.

Stop Ideas Near Acres Green

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 Acres Green and the surrounding midpoint area.
Fairplay Park
Scenic stop 13.8 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 12.8 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 6.6 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
City of Littleton
Scenic stop 6.6 mi away

City of Littleton

Littleton , CO
2255 W Berry Ave, Littleton, CO 80165
Rating 5.0/5 1 reviews City government office,Local government office,Museum

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Acres Green.

BUS

Denver (Bus Station), Colorado

23 mi away
1055 19th Street
RAIL

Union Station

24 mi away
1701 Wynkoop Street
BUS

Pine Junction, CO

44 mi away
76 Mount Evans Boulevard
BUS

Boulder, Colorado

65 mi away
30th & Diagonal Highway

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Centennial and Highlands Ranch. Straight-line distance: 5.23 mi (8.41 km).

Centennial

#1 Centennial

The second most populous city in Arapahoe County, Colorado.

Population110,156
Coordinates39.5791600, -104.8769200
Altitude1777
CountryUnited States
Highlands Ranch

#2 Highlands Ranch

Census designated place

Population96,713
Coordinates39.5538800, -104.9694300
Altitude1732
CountryUnited States
Start: Centennial (-104.87692, 39.57916)
End: Highlands Ranch (-104.96943, 39.55388)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 14 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 17m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 13m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 10m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 08m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 07m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 06m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.31 gal
1.18 L · about $1.15
Round trip
$2.29
0.62 gal · 2.36 L
Estimated CO2
2.8 kg one way
Round trip: 5.5 kg / 12 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.70 $1.15 $2.29
Mid-grade $4.08 $1.27 $2.53
Premium $4.39 $1.36 $2.72
Diesel $4.74 $1.47 $2.94

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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Centennial and Highlands Ranch. The current time is 20:40:40.

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.