How far is Denver International Airport, CO from Appleton, CO?
The driving distance from Denver International Airport, CO to Appleton, CO is about 269.6 miles (433.9 km), with a travel time of about 05h 05m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 215.9 miles (347.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 10m 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 05h 05m.
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.
Location in Colorado, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Denver International Airport and Appleton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Denver International Airport and Appleton.
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1
Start on Terminal East Departures
2634 ft · 2 min · Terminal East Departures
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2
Continue on Terminal East Exit
2236 ft · 38 sec · Terminal East Exit
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3
Continue on Peña Boulevard
11.2 mi · 14 min · Peña Boulevard
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4
Merge slight left onto Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway
1 mi · 1 min · Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway
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5
Keep slight right to continue on Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway
2.8 mi · 4 min · Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway
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6
Keep slight left to continue on Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway
149.7 mi · 2 hr 53 min · Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway
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7
Continue on Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
80.8 mi · 1 hr 26 min · Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
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8
Continue on Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
22.5 mi · 24 min · Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward 24 Road, Redlands Parkway
1381 ft · 34 sec
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10
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward 24 Road
6 m · 1 sec · 24 Road
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11
Exit the roundabout onto 24 Road
2261 ft · 56 sec · 24 Road
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12
Turn left onto H Road
5 m · 1 sec · H Road
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13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · H Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Denver International Airport and Appleton.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway
Keep slight left to continue on Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway
150 mi · 02h 53m
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.
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Denver International Airport and Sunny near Appleton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Denver International Airport to Appleton?
The road trip is about 269.6 miles (433.9 km) and usually takes 05h 05m 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?
Edwards is a useful midpoint, sitting about 134.7 miles from Denver International Airport and 135 miles from Appleton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 215.9 miles (347.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 53.7 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 6:50 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $35.20 one way or $70.41 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 84.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Denver International Airport and Sunny near Appleton.
Stop Ideas Near Edwards
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 Edwards.
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Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Denver International Airport and Appleton. Straight-line distance: 215.9 mi (347.46 km).
#1 Denver International Airport
Airport in Denver, Colorado, United States
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 39.8589100, -104.6732600 |
| Altitude | 1637 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Appleton
Situated in Mesa County at an elevation of 4596 feet, this unincorporated community lies in the high desert Grand Valley northwest of Grand Junction.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 39.1208100, -108.6081500 |
| Altitude | 1401 |
| Country | United States |
End: Appleton (-108.60815, 39.12081)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 434 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 59m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 44m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 23m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 29m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 51m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 21m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $35.20 | $70.41 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $38.88 | $77.76 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $41.80 | $83.60 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $45.10 | $90.19 |
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 · Aug 26, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.