How far is Crested Butte, CO from Denver, CO?
The driving distance from Crested Butte, CO to Denver, CO is about 228.6 miles (367.9 km), with a travel time of about 04h 09m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 122.8 miles (197.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 18m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 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 04h 09m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Town of the United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Snow Showers then Mostly Sunny
Slight Chance Snow Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Crested Butte and Denver.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Crested Butte and Denver.
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1
Start on Elk Avenue
1890 ft · 2 min · Elk Avenue
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2
Turn right onto Sixth Street
1.3 km · 2 min · Sixth Street
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3
Continue straight
23.8 mi · 33 min
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4
Continue straight
2.7 mi · 5 min
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5
Turn left onto East Tomichi Avenue
41.9 mi · 55 min · East Tomichi Avenue
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6
Continue on US 50
17.6 mi · 24 min · US 50
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7
Turn left
11.2 mi · 14 min
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8
Continue straight
9.7 mi · 12 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward US 285 North
1151 ft · 22 sec
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10
Merge slight left
73.9 mi · 1 hr 34 min
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11
Continue straight
36.8 mi · 51 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward US 85
828 ft · 35 sec
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13
Keep slight left to continue on US 85 North
76 m · 15 sec
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14
Turn left onto US 85 North
32 m · 6 sec
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15
Merge slight right onto South Santa Fe Drive
3.1 mi · 4 min · South Santa Fe Drive
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16
Turn right onto West Mississippi Avenue
2583 ft · 1 min · West Mississippi Avenue
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17
Turn left onto South Logan Street
2.8 mi · 6 min · South Logan Street
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18
Turn left onto East 13th Avenue
720 ft · 27 sec · East 13th Avenue
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19
Turn right onto Sherman Street
644 ft · 34 sec · Sherman Street
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20
At the end of the road, turn right
91 m · 22 sec
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Crested Butte and Denver.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
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.
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.
Slight Chance Snow Showers then Mostly Sunny leaving Crested Butte and Slight Chance Snow Showers near Denver.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Crested Butte to Denver?
The road trip is about 228.6 miles (367.9 km) and usually takes 04h 09m 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?
Buena Vista is a useful midpoint, sitting about 112.9 miles from Crested Butte and 115.7 miles from Denver.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 122.8 miles (197.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 105.8 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 8:42 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.84 one way or $59.69 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 71.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Snow Showers then Mostly Sunny around Crested Butte and Slight Chance Snow Showers near Denver.
Stop Ideas Near Buena Vista
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 Buena Vista.
Buena Vista, CO
Poncha Springs, CO
Salida, CO
Fairplay, CO
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Crested Butte and Denver. Straight-line distance: 122.79 mi (197.61 km).
#1 Crested Butte
Home Rule Municipality in Gunnison County, Colorado, United States
| Population | 1,682 |
| Coordinates | 38.8697100, -106.9878200 |
| Altitude | 2720 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Denver
The twentieth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Denver metropolitan area.
| Population | 735,538 |
| Coordinates | 39.7391500, -104.9847000 |
| Altitude | 1609 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-104.984198, 39.739139)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 368 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 37m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 42m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 34m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 48m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 15m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 51m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $29.84 | $59.69 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $32.96 | $65.92 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $35.44 | $70.87 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $38.23 | $76.46 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.