How far is Denver, CO from Buena Vista, CO?

The driving distance from Denver, CO to Buena Vista, CO is about 120.2 miles (193.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 40m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 87.2 miles (140.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 21m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
120.15 mi
02h 40m
Flight
87.17 mi
140.29 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Denver.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
87.17 mi
Kilometers
140.29 km
Flight Time
00h 10m

Driving Distance

Road route
120.15 mi
Kilometers
193.36 km
Drive Time
02h 40m

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 02h 40m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Buena Vista
Thu, Apr 16, 2:01 AM MDT
Return by in Denver
Thu, Apr 16, 4:42 AM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Denver
2026-04-15T23:21
Arrive Buena Vista
Thu, Apr 16, 2:01 AM MDT
Route Timing
02h 40m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:41 AM to 12:41 PM MDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:08 PM MDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Denver
9:30 PM MDT
Morning start is best

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
Montezuma
CO

Town in Colorado, USA

From Denver
60 mi
01h 20m
To Buena Vista
60.1 mi
01h 20m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
69°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
6 to 12 mph W
Destination
57°F
This Afternoon

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 2:00 PM MDT
Wind
15 mph W

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Denver and Buena Vista.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Denver and Buena Vista.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    115 m · 29 sec

  2. 2

    Turn right

    19 m · 9 sec

  3. 3

    Turn right onto East Colfax Avenue

    109 m · 14 sec · East Colfax Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Grant Street

    1.1 mi · 3 min · Grant Street

  5. 5

    Turn left onto East Speer Boulevard

    138 m · 13 sec · East Speer Boulevard

  6. 6

    Turn right onto Logan Street

    1.3 km · 2 min · Logan Street

  7. 7

    Turn right onto East Alameda Avenue

    1332 ft · 50 sec · East Alameda Avenue

  8. 8

    Turn left onto South Broadway

    1.6 mi · 3 min · South Broadway

  9. 9

    Turn right onto West Iowa Avenue

    1222 ft · 36 sec · West Iowa Avenue

  10. 10

    At the end of the road, turn left onto South Santa Fe Drive

    2.3 mi · 3 min · South Santa Fe Drive

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward US 285 South

    1304 ft · 36 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left onto West Hampden Avenue

    110.8 mi · 2 hr 25 min · West Hampden Avenue

  13. 13

    At the end of the road, turn right

    2.3 mi · 3 min

  14. 14

    Turn slight right onto Cottonwood Road

    145 m · 13 sec · Cottonwood Road

  15. 15

    Turn right onto East Main Street

    46 m · 3 sec · East Main Street

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Main Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Denver and Buena Vista.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
16 steps
12 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
13.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
West Hampden Avenue
111 mi · 92%
South Santa Fe Drive
2.34 mi · 2%
South Broadway
1.63 mi · 1%
Grant Street
1.15 mi · 1%
Logan Street
0.79 mi · 1%
East Alameda Avenue
0.25 mi
Longest Stretch

West Hampden Avenue

Merge slight left onto West Hampden Avenue

111 mi · 02h 25m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 40m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 22m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+33 mi
87.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Montezuma
01h 20m from Denver
Leave By
1:08 PM MDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Denver and Sunny near Buena Vista.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Denver to Buena Vista?

The road trip is about 120.2 miles (193.4 km) and usually takes 02h 40m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Montezuma is a useful midpoint, sitting about 60 miles from Denver and 60.1 miles from Buena Vista.

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

The direct path is about 87.2 miles (140.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 33 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:08 PM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.68 one way or $31.36 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 37.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Denver and Sunny near Buena Vista.

Stop Ideas Near Montezuma

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

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

BUS

Frisco, Colorado

20 mi away
1010 Meadow Drive
BUS

Vail, Colorado

41 mi away
241 South Frontage Road East
RAIL

Fraser – Winter Park

41 mi away
205 Fraser Avenue
BUS

Fairplay, CO

41 mi away
620 US Highway 285

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Denver and Buena Vista. Straight-line distance: 87.17 mi (140.29 km).

Denver

#1 Denver

The twentieth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Denver metropolitan area.

Population735,538
Coordinates39.7391500, -104.9847000
Altitude1609
CountryUnited States
Buena Vista

#2 Buena Vista

Town of the United States

Population3,116
Coordinates38.8422200, -106.1311300
Altitude2421
CountryUnited States
Start: Denver (-104.9847, 39.73915)
End: Buena Vista (-106.13113, 38.84222)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 193 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 00m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 00m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 24m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 00m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 42m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 29m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.24 gal
16.05 L · about $15.68
Round trip
$31.36
8.48 gal · 32.1 L
Estimated CO2
37.7 kg one way
Round trip: 75.4 kg / 166 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.70 $15.68 $31.36
Mid-grade $4.08 $17.32 $34.63
Premium $4.39 $18.62 $37.24
Diesel $4.74 $20.08 $40.17

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 16, 2026

There is no time difference between Denver and Buena Vista. The current time is 23:21:04.

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.