How far is Crested Butte, CO from Lakewood, CO?
The driving distance from Crested Butte, CO to Lakewood, CO is about 218.7 miles (351.9 km), with a travel time of about 03h 58m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 117.1 miles (188.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 57m 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 03h 58m.
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 Lakewood.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Crested Butte and Lakewood.
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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 · 39 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 · 1 hr · East Tomichi Avenue
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6
Continue on US 50
17.6 mi · 29 min · US 50
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7
Turn left
11.2 mi · 18 min
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8
Continue straight
9.7 mi · 16 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
32.5 mi · 45 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward CO 121: Wadsworth Boulevard
1110 ft · 27 sec
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13
Keep slight left to continue on CO 121: Wadsworth Boulevard
61 m · 7 sec
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14
Turn left onto South Wadsworth Boulevard
3.7 mi · 7 min · South Wadsworth Boulevard
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Wadsworth Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Crested Butte and Lakewood.
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 Lakewood.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Crested Butte to Lakewood?
The road trip is about 218.7 miles (351.9 km) and usually takes 03h 58m 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 109.2 miles from Crested Butte and 109.4 miles from Lakewood.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 117.1 miles (188.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 101.6 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:02 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.55 one way or $57.10 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 68.6 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 Lakewood.
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 Lakewood. Straight-line distance: 117.14 mi (188.52 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 Lakewood
The fifth most populous city in Colorado.
| Population | 157,429 |
| Coordinates | 39.7047100, -105.0813700 |
| Altitude | 1682 |
| Country | United States |
End: South Wadsworth Boulevard (-105.081428, 39.70471)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 352 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 17m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 28m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 22m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 38m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 07m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 43m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $28.55 | $57.10 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $31.53 | $63.06 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $33.90 | $67.80 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $36.57 | $73.14 |
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.