How far is Centennial, CO from Idaho Springs, CO?

The driving distance from Centennial, CO to Idaho Springs, CO is about 44.6 miles (71.7 km), with a travel time of about 00h 57m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 35.7 miles (57.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 55m 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
44.53 mi
00h 57m
Flight
35.7 mi
57.45 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
35.7 mi
Kilometers
57.45 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
44.53 mi
Kilometers
71.67 km
Drive Time
00h 57m

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 57m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Idaho Springs
Fri, Apr 17, 8:55 PM MDT
Return by in Centennial
Fri, Apr 17, 9:53 PM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Centennial
2026-04-17T19:57
Arrive Idaho Springs
Fri, Apr 17, 8:55 PM MDT
Route Timing
00h 57m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:58 AM to 10:58 AM MDT

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

Leave by
4:34 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
Applewood
CO

Census designated place

From Centennial
22.2 mi
00h 28m
To Idaho Springs
22.3 mi
00h 28m

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
35°F
Friday

Snow Showers

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
6 to 15 mph ENE

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Centennial and Idaho Springs.

  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

    12.5 mi · 15 min · South Valley Highway

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward US 6 West: 6th Avenue

    945 ft · 23 sec

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on US 6 West: 6th Avenue, Lakewood

    2200 ft · 54 sec

  10. 10

    Continue on Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway

    1.5 km · 2 min · Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on US 6

    609 ft · 11 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left onto West 6th Avenue Freeway

    7.6 mi · 9 min · West 6th Avenue Freeway

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward I 70 West: Grand Junction

    1.1 km · 56 sec

  14. 14

    Merge slight left

    20.7 mi · 25 min

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward CO 103: Mount Evans

    822 ft · 26 sec

  16. 16

    Turn right onto 13th Avenue

    46 m · 3 sec · 13th Avenue

  17. 17

    Turn right onto Miner Street

    1586 ft · 49 sec · Miner Street

  18. 18

    Turn left onto Riverside Drive

    60 m · 11 sec · Riverside Drive

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Riverside Drive

Car Route Details

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

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
19 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
3 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
42.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 70 West
21.4 mi · 48%
South Valley Highway
12.5 mi · 28%
West 6th Avenue Freeway
7.62 mi · 17%
Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
0.93 mi · 2%
US 6 West
0.6 mi · 1%
Miner Street
0.3 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 70 West

Merge slight left

20.7 mi · 00h 25m

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 57m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 56m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+8.9 mi
35.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Applewood
00h 28m from Centennial
Leave By
4:34 PM MDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Rain And Snow Showers leaving Centennial and Snow Showers near Idaho Springs.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Centennial to Idaho Springs?

The road trip is about 44.6 miles (71.7 km) and usually takes 00h 57m 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?

Applewood is a useful midpoint, sitting about 22.2 miles from Centennial and 22.3 miles from Idaho Springs.

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

The direct path is about 35.7 miles (57.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.9 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 4:34 PM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.81 one way or $11.61 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Rain And Snow Showers around Centennial and Snow Showers near Idaho Springs.

Stop Ideas Near Applewood

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 Applewood and the surrounding midpoint area.
Municipal Court Park
Scenic stop 10.8 mi away

Municipal Court Park

Westminster , CO
3025 W 76th Ave, Westminster, CO 80030
Rating 3.8/5 94 reviews Park
Denver City Council
Meeting point 9.6 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 11.3 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 11.2 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 Applewood.

RAIL

Union Station

14 mi away
1701 Wynkoop Street
BUS

Denver (Bus Station), Colorado

15 mi away
1055 19th Street
BUS

Boulder, Colorado

35 mi away
30th & Diagonal Highway
BUS

Pine Junction, CO

38 mi away
76 Mount Evans Boulevard

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Centennial and Idaho Springs. Straight-line distance: 35.7 mi (57.45 km).

Centennial

#1 Centennial

The second most populous city in Arapahoe County, Colorado.

Population110,156
Coordinates39.5791600, -104.8769200
Altitude1777
CountryUnited States
Idaho Springs

#2 Idaho Springs

City in Clear Creek County, Colorado, United States

Population1,857
Coordinates39.7424900, -105.5136100
Altitude2294
CountryUnited States
Start: Centennial (-104.87692, 39.57916)
End: Idaho Springs (-105.51361, 39.74249)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 72 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 29m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 06m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 53m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 44m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 38m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 33m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.57 gal
5.95 L · about $5.81
Round trip
$11.61
3.14 gal · 11.9 L
Estimated CO2
14 kg one way
Round trip: 27.9 kg / 62 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.70 $5.81 $11.61
Mid-grade $4.08 $6.41 $12.82
Premium $4.39 $6.89 $13.79
Diesel $4.74 $7.44 $14.87

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 18, 2026

There is no time difference between Centennial and Idaho Springs. The current time is 19:57:24.

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.