How far is Delta, CO from Boulder, CO?

The driving distance from Delta, CO to Boulder, CO is about 287.9 miles (463.3 km), with a travel time of about 04h 50m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 173.4 miles (279.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 40m 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
287.87 mi
04h 50m
Flight
173.39 mi
279.05 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Delta.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
173.39 mi
Kilometers
279.05 km
Flight Time
00h 20m

Driving Distance

Road route
287.87 mi
Kilometers
463.28 km
Drive Time
04h 50m

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 50m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Boulder
Thu, Apr 23, 12:53 AM MDT
Return by in Delta
Thu, Apr 23, 5:43 AM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Delta
2026-04-22T20:03
Arrive Boulder
Thu, Apr 23, 12:53 AM MDT
Route Timing
04h 50m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:50 AM to 12:50 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
7:20 AM MDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Delta
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
Gypsum
CO

Town of the United States

From Delta
143.4 mi
02h 25m
To Boulder
144.4 mi
02h 25m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
73°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
10 to 35 mph SSW
Destination
75°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
7 to 17 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Delta and Boulder.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Delta and Boulder.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    57 m · 16 sec

  2. 2

    Turn right onto East 4th Street

    571 ft · 20 sec · East 4th Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Main Street

    5 mi · 8 min · Main Street

  4. 4

    Continue straight

    16.1 mi · 19 min

  5. 5

    Continue straight

    11.6 mi · 15 min

  6. 6

    Continue on 32 Road

    5.4 mi · 9 min · 32 Road

  7. 7

    Turn right

    1386 ft · 34 sec

  8. 8

    Continue straight

    1.4 km · 1 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on I 70 East: Denver

    223.1 mi · 4 hr 10 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward US 40, I 70 Business East, CH 93: Golden, Morrison

    1173 ft · 24 sec

  11. 11

    Turn left onto Hogback Road

    1123 ft · 35 sec · Hogback Road

  12. 12

    Continue on Lariat Loop Scenic Byway

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Lariat Loop Scenic Byway

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Heritage Road

    1415 ft · 29 sec · Heritage Road

  14. 14

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Heritage Road

    32 m · 2 sec · Heritage Road

  15. 15

    Exit the roundabout onto Heritage Road

    149 m · 10 sec · Heritage Road

  16. 16

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Heritage Road

    15 m · 1 sec · Heritage Road

  17. 17

    Exit the roundabout onto Heritage Road

    1356 ft · 27 sec · Heritage Road

  18. 18

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Heritage Road

    39 m · 3 sec · Heritage Road

  19. 19

    Exit the roundabout onto Heritage Road

    707 ft · 16 sec · Heritage Road

  20. 20

    Turn slight right onto Heritage Road

    809 ft · 20 sec · Heritage Road

  21. 21

    Turn left onto Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway

    2.3 mi · 4 min · Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway

  22. 22

    Continue straight

    7.5 mi · 11 min

  23. 23

    Continue straight

    11.8 mi · 20 min

  24. 24

    Turn right onto University Avenue

    1049 ft · 36 sec · University Avenue

  25. 25

    Continue on 17th Street

    813 ft · 30 sec · 17th Street

  26. 26

    Turn right onto Athens Street

    646 ft · 33 sec · Athens Street

  27. 27

    Turn left onto 19th Street

    864 ft · 29 sec · 19th Street

  28. 28

    Turn left

    27 m · 5 sec

  29. 29

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Delta and Boulder.

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
29 steps
17 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
0 merges, 7 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 70 East
223 mi · 77%
Main Street
32.6 mi · 11%
Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
21.6 mi · 7%
32 Road
6.28 mi · 2%
Lariat Loop Scenic Byway
1.12 mi
Heritage Road
0.96 mi
Longest Stretch

I 70 East

Keep slight right to continue on I 70 East: Denver

223 mi · 04h 10m

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 50m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
09h 40m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+114.5 mi
173.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Gypsum
02h 25m from Delta
Leave By
7:20 AM MDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Delta and Mostly Sunny near Boulder.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Delta to Boulder?

The road trip is about 287.9 miles (463.3 km) and usually takes 04h 50m 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?

Gypsum is a useful midpoint, sitting about 143.4 miles from Delta and 144.4 miles from Boulder.

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

The direct path is about 173.4 miles (279.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 114.5 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 7:20 AM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $37.57 one way or $75.14 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 90.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Delta and Mostly Sunny near Boulder.

Stop Ideas Near Gypsum

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

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

RAIL

Glenwood Springs

34 mi away
413 7th Street
BUS

Vail, Colorado

52 mi away
241 South Frontage Road East
BUS

Frisco, Colorado

74 mi away
1010 Meadow Drive
BUS

Fairplay, CO

95 mi away
620 US Highway 285

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Delta and Boulder. Straight-line distance: 173.39 mi (279.05 km).

Delta

#1 Delta

City in Colorado

Population9,030
Coordinates38.7422100, -108.0689600
Altitude1511
CountryUnited States
Boulder

#2 Boulder

The most populous city in Boulder County, Colorado.

Population107,645
Coordinates40.0149900, -105.2705500
Altitude1624
CountryUnited States
Start: (-108.068764, 38.742212)
End: (-105.27055, 40.014996)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 463 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)09h 35m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)07h 11m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 45m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 47m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 06m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 35m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
10.16 gal
38.45 L · about $37.57
Round trip
$75.14
20.32 gal · 76.9 L
Estimated CO2
90.3 kg one way
Round trip: 180.6 kg / 398 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.70 $37.57 $75.14
Mid-grade $4.08 $41.49 $82.99
Premium $4.39 $44.61 $89.23
Diesel $4.74 $48.13 $96.26

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

There is no time difference between Delta and Boulder. The current time is 20:03:03.

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.