How far is Clifton, CO from Centennial, CO?

The driving distance from Clifton, CO to Centennial, CO is about 253.6 miles (408.1 km), with a travel time of about 04h 01m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 193.8 miles (311.9 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 03m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
253.6 mi
04h 01m
Flight
193.82 mi
311.93 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Clifton.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
193.82 mi
Kilometers
311.93 km
Flight Time
00h 23m

Driving Distance

Road route
253.6 mi
Kilometers
408.13 km
Drive Time
04h 01m

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 04h 01m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Centennial
Wed, Apr 15, 7:07 AM MDT
Return by in Clifton
Wed, Apr 15, 11:09 AM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Clifton
2026-04-15T03:06
Arrive Centennial
Wed, Apr 15, 7:07 AM MDT
Route Timing
04h 01m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:02 AM to 12:02 PM MDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
8:56 AM MDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Clifton
9:00 PM MDT
Early departure recommended

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
Edwards
CO

Location in Colorado, USA

From Clifton
124.3 mi
02h 00m
To Centennial
129.3 mi
02h 00m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
68°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph SW
Destination
67°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
7 to 10 mph WSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on F Road

    108 m · 10 sec · F Road

  2. 2

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward F Road

    24 m · 1 sec · F Road

  3. 3

    Exit the roundabout onto F Road

    637 ft · 18 sec · F Road

  4. 4

    Turn sharp right

    1.2 km · 1 min

  5. 5

    Keep slight right to continue on I 70 East: Denver

    225.4 mi · 4 hr 13 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward US 6 East: 6th Avenue, Lakewood

    1795 ft · 44 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto West 6th Avenue Freeway

    7.9 mi · 9 min · West 6th Avenue Freeway

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward I 25: Fort Collins, Colorado Springs

    1 km · 59 sec

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward I 25 South: Colorado Springs

    2680 ft · 1 min

  10. 10

    Merge slight left onto North Valley Highway

    12.3 mi · 15 min · North Valley Highway

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward Dry Creek Road

    1389 ft · 26 sec

  12. 12

    Turn right onto East Dry Creek Road

    999 ft · 21 sec · East Dry Creek Road

  13. 13

    Turn left onto South Chester Street

    552 ft · 31 sec · South Chester Street

  14. 14

    Turn left onto East Panorama Circle

    720 ft · 40 sec · East Panorama Circle

  15. 15

    Turn left

    41 m · 11 sec

  16. 16

    Turn right

    144 m · 35 sec

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

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
17 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
2 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
6.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 70 East
225 mi · 89%
North Valley Highway
12.3 mi · 5%
West 6th Avenue Freeway
7.89 mi · 3%
I 25
0.64 mi
I 25 South
0.51 mi
US 6 East
0.34 mi
Longest Stretch

I 70 East

Keep slight right to continue on I 70 East: Denver

225 mi · 04h 13m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

A longer out-and-back drive

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

Drive Time
04h 01m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 04m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+59.8 mi
193.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Edwards
02h 00m from Clifton
Leave By
8:56 AM MDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Clifton and Sunny near Centennial.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 253.6 miles (408.1 km) and usually takes 04h 01m in normal driving conditions.

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

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Edwards is a useful midpoint, sitting about 124.3 miles from Clifton and 129.3 miles from Centennial.

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

The direct path is about 193.8 miles (311.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 59.8 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:56 AM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.10 one way or $66.19 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 79.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Edwards

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

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

BUS

Vail, Colorado

21 mi away
241 South Frontage Road East
BUS

Frisco, Colorado

43 mi away
1010 Meadow Drive
RAIL

Glenwood Springs

63 mi away
413 7th Street
BUS

Fairplay, CO

70 mi away
620 US Highway 285

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Clifton and Centennial. Straight-line distance: 193.82 mi (311.93 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Clifton

Clifton is a place in Colorado, United States.

Population0
Coordinates39.0919300, -108.4489800
Altitude1440
CountryUnited States
Centennial

#2 Centennial

The second most populous city in Arapahoe County, Colorado.

Population110,156
Coordinates39.5791600, -104.8769200
Altitude1777
CountryUnited States
Start: F Road (-108.44898, 39.09178)
End: (-104.877122, 39.579121)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 408 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)08h 26m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 20m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 04m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 13m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 37m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 09m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
8.95 gal
33.87 L · about $33.10
Round trip
$66.19
17.9 gal · 67.74 L
Estimated CO2
79.5 kg one way
Round trip: 159.1 kg / 351 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.70 $33.10 $66.19
Mid-grade $4.08 $36.55 $73.10
Premium $4.39 $39.30 $78.60
Diesel $4.74 $42.40 $84.79

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 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Clifton and Centennial. The current time is 03:06:04.

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.