How far is Cortez, CO from Boulder, CO?
The driving distance from Cortez, CO to Boulder, CO is about 404.9 miles (651.6 km), with a travel time of about 07h 17m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 256.7 miles (413.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 14h 34m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM MDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 07h 17m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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.
Human settlement in Colorado, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Cortez and Boulder.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cortez and Boulder.
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1
Start on the route
65 m · 18 sec
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2
Turn right onto North Market Street
59 m · 13 sec · North Market Street
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3
Turn left onto East Main Street
1.7 mi · 4 min · East Main Street
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4
Continue on East Mancos Road
16.4 mi · 24 min · East Mancos Road
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5
Continue on US 160
26.7 mi · 32 min · US 160
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6
Take the exit right toward US 160 East, US 550 South
1140 ft · 31 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Camino del Rio
3.8 mi · 6 min · Camino del Rio
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8
Continue on Highway 160
52.7 mi · 1 hr 8 min · Highway 160
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9
Continue on San Juan Street
2.6 mi · 5 min · San Juan Street
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10
Continue on Pagosa Street
57.8 mi · 1 hr 21 min · Pagosa Street
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11
Continue on Grand Avenue
1 km · 2 min · Grand Avenue
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12
Turn left onto Oak Street
13.1 mi · 19 min · Oak Street
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13
Turn left onto Gunbarrel Road
23.1 mi · 33 min · Gunbarrel Road
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14
Continue on 8th Street
1780 ft · 43 sec · 8th Street
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15
Turn straight
1663 ft · 41 sec
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16
Turn straight
40.2 mi · 51 min
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17
Continue straight
11.2 mi · 18 min
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18
Continue straight
9.7 mi · 16 min
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19
Take the exit slight right toward US 285 North
1151 ft · 22 sec
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20
Merge slight left
73.9 mi · 1 hr 34 min
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21
Continue straight
27.8 mi · 40 min
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22
Take the exit slight right toward CO 470 West: West CO 470 to I-70
1552 ft · 53 sec
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23
Merge slight left
7 mi · 9 min
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24
Merge slight left onto Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
2.7 mi · 4 min · Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
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25
Continue straight
7.5 mi · 11 min
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26
Continue straight
11.8 mi · 20 min
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27
Turn right onto University Avenue
1049 ft · 36 sec · University Avenue
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28
Continue on 17th Street
813 ft · 30 sec · 17th Street
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29
Turn right onto Athens Street
646 ft · 33 sec · Athens Street
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30
Turn left onto 19th Street
864 ft · 29 sec · 19th Street
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31
Turn left
27 m · 5 sec
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32
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cortez and Boulder.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
US 285 North
Merge slight left
73.9 mi · 01h 34m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Mostly Sunny leaving Cortez and Sunny near Boulder.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cortez to Boulder?
The road trip is about 404.9 miles (651.6 km) and usually takes 07h 17m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Saguache is a useful midpoint, sitting about 196.2 miles from Cortez and 208.7 miles from Boulder.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 256.7 miles (413.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 148.2 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 7:30 AM MDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $52.84 one way or $105.69 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 127 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Cortez and Sunny near Boulder.
Stop Ideas Near Saguache
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Saguache.
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Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cortez and Boulder. Straight-line distance: 256.69 mi (413.1 km).
#1 Cortez
Town in and county seat of Montezuma County, Colorado, United States
| Population | 8,734 |
| Coordinates | 37.3488800, -108.5859300 |
| Altitude | 1887 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Boulder
The most populous city in Boulder County, Colorado.
| Population | 107,645 |
| Coordinates | 40.0149900, -105.2705500 |
| Altitude | 1624 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-105.27055, 40.014996)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 652 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 13h 29m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 10h 07m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 08h 05m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 06h 44m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 47m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 05h 03m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $52.84 | $105.69 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $58.36 | $116.72 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $62.75 | $125.49 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $67.69 | $135.38 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.