How far is Denver, CO from Highlands Ranch, CO?
The driving distance from Denver, CO to Highlands Ranch, CO is about 14.9 miles (23.9 km), with a travel time of about 00h 30m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 12.8 miles (20.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 00m 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 30m.
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.
City in Colorado, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Denver and Highlands Ranch.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Denver and Highlands Ranch.
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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
1.1 mi · 3 min · Grant Street
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5
Turn left onto East Speer Boulevard
138 m · 13 sec · East Speer Boulevard
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6
Turn right onto Logan Street
1.8 mi · 3 min · Logan Street
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7
Turn left onto East Buchtel South Boulevard
1774 ft · 39 sec · East Buchtel South Boulevard
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8
Continue on East Buchtel South Boulevard
861 ft · 17 sec · East Buchtel South Boulevard
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9
Take the ramp slight left toward I 25 South
1.3 km · 2 min
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10
Keep slight right to continue on University Boulevard
1013 ft · 25 sec
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11
Keep slight right to continue on University Boulevard South
146 m · 12 sec
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12
Turn straight onto South University Boulevard
9.2 mi · 17 min · South University Boulevard
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13
Turn right onto Venneford Ranch Road
2752 ft · 1 min · Venneford Ranch Road
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14
Turn right onto East Thistle Ridge Road
1551 ft · 1 min · East Thistle Ridge Road
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15
Turn left onto South Wild Iris Run
107 m · 16 sec · South Wild Iris Run
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Wild Iris Run
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Denver and Highlands Ranch.
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.
South University Boulevard
Turn straight onto South University Boulevard
9.2 mi · 00h 17m
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 Sunny near Highlands Ranch.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Denver to Highlands Ranch?
The road trip is about 14.9 miles (23.9 km) and usually takes 00h 30m 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?
Cherry Hills Village is a useful midpoint, sitting about 7.4 miles from Denver and 7.4 miles from Highlands Ranch.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 12.8 miles (20.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 2.1 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 7:30 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $1.92 one way or $3.85 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 4.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Denver and Sunny near Highlands Ranch.
Stop Ideas Near Cherry Hills Village
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Fairplay Park
Denver City Council
Town Hall Arts Center
Municipal Court Park
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Cherry Hills Village.
Denver (Bus Station), Colorado
Union Station
Pine Junction, CO
Boulder, Colorado
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Denver and Highlands Ranch. Straight-line distance: 12.83 mi (20.64 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 Highlands Ranch
Census designated place
| Population | 96,713 |
| Coordinates | 39.5538800, -104.9694300 |
| Altitude | 1732 |
| Country | United States |
End: Highlands Ranch (-104.96943, 39.55388)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 24 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 29m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 22m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 17m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 14m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 12m |
| 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 | $1.92 | $3.85 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $2.12 | $4.25 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $2.28 | $4.57 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $2.46 | $4.93 |
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.