How far is Denver, CO from Golden, CO?
The driving distance from Denver, CO to Golden, CO is about 15.3 miles (24.7 km), with a travel time of about 00h 25m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 12.6 miles (20.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 50m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM MDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 25m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
The fifth most populous city in Colorado.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Denver and Golden.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Denver and Golden.
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1
Start on the route
115 m · 29 sec
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2
Turn right
19 m · 9 sec
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3
Turn right onto East Colfax Avenue
109 m · 14 sec · East Colfax Avenue
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4
Turn right onto Grant Street
1.2 km · 2 min · Grant Street
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5
Turn right onto East 8th Avenue
1.4 km · 3 min · East 8th Avenue
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6
Continue on North Kalamath Street
733 ft · 23 sec · North Kalamath Street
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7
Continue on West 6th Avenue Freeway
10.6 mi · 14 min · West 6th Avenue Freeway
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8
Turn right onto Johnson Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · Johnson Road
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9
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward South Golden Road
76 m · 5 sec · South Golden Road
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10
Exit the roundabout onto South Golden Road
2855 ft · 1 min · South Golden Road
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11
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Ford Street
23 m · 2 sec · Ford Street
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12
Exit the roundabout onto Ford Street
1.4 km · 2 min · Ford Street
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13
Turn left onto 12th Street
654 ft · 18 sec · 12th Street
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14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 12th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Denver and Golden.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
West 6th Avenue Freeway
Continue on West 6th Avenue Freeway
10.6 mi · 00h 14m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Mostly Sunny leaving Denver and Mostly Sunny near Golden.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Denver to Golden?
The road trip is about 15.3 miles (24.7 km) and usually takes 00h 25m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Lakewood is a useful midpoint, sitting about 7.7 miles from Denver and 7.7 miles from Golden.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 12.6 miles (20.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 2.7 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:40 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.00 one way or $3.99 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 4.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Denver and Mostly Sunny near Golden.
Stop Ideas Near Lakewood
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Municipal Court Park
Denver City Council
Town Hall Arts Center
City of Littleton
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Lakewood.
Denver (Bus Station), Colorado
Union Station
Pine Junction, CO
Boulder, Colorado
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Denver and Golden. Straight-line distance: 12.61 mi (20.29 km).
#1 Denver
The twentieth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Denver metropolitan area.
| Population | 735,538 |
| Coordinates | 39.7391500, -104.9847000 |
| Altitude | 1609 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Golden
County seat of Jefferson County, Colorado, United States
| Population | 20,347 |
| Coordinates | 39.7555400, -105.2211000 |
| Altitude | 1730 |
| Country | United States |
End: Golden (-105.2211, 39.75554)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 25 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 30m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 23m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 18m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 15m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 13m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 11m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $2.00 | $3.99 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $2.21 | $4.41 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $2.37 | $4.74 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $2.56 | $5.12 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.