How far is Commerce City, CO from Highlands Ranch, CO?
The driving distance from Commerce City, CO to Highlands Ranch, CO is about 23.3 miles (37.5 km), with a travel time of about 00h 40m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 17.7 miles (28.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 20m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM MDT.
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.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 40m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
City in Colorado
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Commerce City and Highlands Ranch.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Commerce City and Highlands Ranch.
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1
Start on the route
732 ft · 56 sec
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2
At the end of the road, turn right onto Dexter Street
722 ft · 34 sec · Dexter Street
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3
Turn right
45 m · 16 sec
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4
Turn left
29 m · 12 sec
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5
At the end of the road, turn left onto East 60th Avenue
61 m · 15 sec · East 60th Avenue
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6
Turn right onto North Vasquez Boulevard
2 mi · 3 min · North Vasquez Boulevard
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7
Turn right onto East 46th North Avenue
30 m · 1 sec · East 46th North Avenue
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8
Take the exit straight toward I 70 West
1506 ft · 39 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway
1.1 mi · 2 min · Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 25: Fort Collins, Colorado Springs
1677 ft · 41 sec
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11
Continue on Grand Army of the Republic Highway
1.3 km · 55 sec · Grand Army of the Republic Highway
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12
Keep slight left to continue on I 25 South: Colorado Springs
1304 ft · 23 sec
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13
Merge slight left onto North Valley Highway
7.1 mi · 10 min · North Valley Highway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward University Boulevard
1.1 km · 1 min
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15
Keep slight right to continue on University Boulevard
1013 ft · 25 sec
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16
Keep slight right to continue on University Boulevard South
146 m · 12 sec
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17
Turn straight onto South University Boulevard
9.2 mi · 17 min · South University Boulevard
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18
Turn right onto Venneford Ranch Road
2752 ft · 1 min · Venneford Ranch Road
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19
Turn right onto East Thistle Ridge Road
1551 ft · 1 min · East Thistle Ridge Road
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20
Turn left onto South Wild Iris Run
107 m · 16 sec · South Wild Iris Run
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Wild Iris Run
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Commerce City and Highlands Ranch.
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.
South University Boulevard
Turn straight onto South University Boulevard
9.2 mi · 00h 17m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving Commerce City 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 Commerce City to Highlands Ranch?
The road trip is about 23.3 miles (37.5 km) and usually takes 00h 40m 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?
Glendale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 11.7 miles from Commerce City and 11.7 miles from Highlands Ranch.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 17.7 miles (28.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.6 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 7:10 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.03 one way or $6.06 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 7.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Commerce City and Sunny near Highlands Ranch.
Stop Ideas Near Glendale
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Fairplay Park
Denver City Council
Town Hall Arts Center
Municipal Court Park
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Glendale.
Denver (Bus Station), Colorado
Union Station
Pine Junction, CO
Boulder, Colorado
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Commerce City and Highlands Ranch. Straight-line distance: 17.68 mi (28.46 km).
#1 Commerce City
The most populous city in Adams County, Colorado.
| Population | 60,336 |
| Coordinates | 39.8083200, -104.9338700 |
| Altitude | 1572 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Highlands Ranch
Census designated place
| Population | 96,713 |
| Coordinates | 39.5538800, -104.9694300 |
| Altitude | 1732 |
| Country | United States |
End: Highlands Ranch (-104.96943, 39.55388)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 38 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 46m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 34m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 27m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 23m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 19m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 17m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $3.03 | $6.06 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $3.35 | $6.70 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $3.60 | $7.20 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $3.88 | $7.77 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.