How far is Denver International Airport, CO from Fruita, CO?
The driving distance from Denver International Airport, CO to Fruita, CO is about 277.9 miles (447.2 km), with a travel time of about 05h 14m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 221.5 miles (356.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 29m 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 14m.
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 Fruita.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Denver International Airport and Fruita.
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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
30.5 mi · 32 min · Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward CO 340: Fruita, Colorado National Monument
1684 ft · 45 sec
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10
Turn right onto South Cherry Street
1030 ft · 18 sec · South Cherry Street
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11
Turn right onto West Aspen Avenue
540 ft · 21 sec · West Aspen Avenue
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12
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward South Park Square
120 m · 10 sec · East Aspen Avenue
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13
Exit the rotary onto East Aspen Avenue
1182 ft · 1 min · East Aspen Avenue
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14
Turn right onto South Maple Street
2 m · 1 sec · South Maple Street
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Maple Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Denver International Airport and Fruita.
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 Fruita.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Denver International Airport to Fruita?
The road trip is about 277.9 miles (447.2 km) and usually takes 05h 14m 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 138.8 miles from Denver International Airport and 139.1 miles from Fruita.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 221.5 miles (356.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 56.4 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 6:30 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $36.28 one way or $72.55 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 87.2 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 Fruita.
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 Fruita. Straight-line distance: 221.52 mi (356.51 km).
#1 Denver International Airport
Airport in Denver, Colorado, United States
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 39.8589100, -104.6732600 |
| Altitude | 1637 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Fruita
Home Rule Municipality located in the western part of Mesa County, Colorado
| Population | 14,295 |
| Coordinates | 39.1588700, -108.7289900 |
| Altitude | 1376 |
| Country | United States |
End: Fruita (-108.72899, 39.15887)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 447 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 15m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 56m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 33m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 37m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 58m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 27m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $36.28 | $72.55 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $40.06 | $80.13 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $43.08 | $86.15 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $46.47 | $92.94 |
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.