How far is Denver, CO from Montrose, CO?
The driving distance from Denver, CO to Montrose, CO is about 297 miles (477.9 km), with a travel time of about 05h 49m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 177.8 miles (286.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 38m 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 49m.
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.
City in Colorado
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 Montrose.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Denver and Montrose.
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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
9.5 mi · 12 min · West 6th Avenue Freeway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 70 West: Grand Junction
1.1 km · 56 sec
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9
Merge slight left
224.5 mi · 4 hr 9 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 70 Business, US 6, US 50: Clifton, Grand Junction, Delta
1.6 mi · 3 min
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11
Continue straight
1290 ft · 32 sec
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12
Turn left onto 32 Road
5.4 mi · 9 min · 32 Road
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13
At the end of the road, turn left onto United States Highway 50
11.7 mi · 15 min · United States Highway 50
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14
Continue straight
14.8 mi · 17 min
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15
Turn right onto G50 Road
2.2 mi · 3 min · G50 Road
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16
Continue on G Road
1.1 km · 1 min · G Road
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17
Continue on G Road
1.6 mi · 3 min · G Road
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18
Continue on West 5th Street
1068 ft · 30 sec · West 5th Street
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19
Turn right onto Confluence Drive
1.3 km · 1 min · Confluence Drive
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20
Take the exit slight right
767 ft · 15 sec
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21
Merge slight left onto Main Street
20.8 mi · 27 min · Main Street
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22
Continue on South Townsend Avenue
760 ft · 27 sec · South Townsend Avenue
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23
Continue on South Townsend Avenue
109 m · 16 sec · South Townsend Avenue
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24
Turn right onto South 1st Street
70 m · 10 sec · South 1st Street
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South 1st Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Denver and Montrose.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 70 West
Merge slight left
225 mi · 04h 09m
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 leaving Denver and Sunny near Montrose.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Denver to Montrose?
The road trip is about 297 miles (477.9 km) and usually takes 05h 49m 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?
Glenwood Springs is a useful midpoint, sitting about 148.3 miles from Denver and 148.6 miles from Montrose.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 177.8 miles (286.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 119.2 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 5:22 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $38.76 one way or $77.51 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 93.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Denver and Sunny near Montrose.
Stop Ideas Near Glenwood Springs
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 Glenwood Springs.
Glenwood Springs
Vail, Colorado
Frisco, Colorado
Gunnison-Downtown, CO
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Denver and Montrose. Straight-line distance: 177.81 mi (286.15 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 Montrose
Coastal resort town and former royal burgh in Angus, Scotland
| Population | 19,902 |
| Coordinates | 38.4783200, -107.8761700 |
| Altitude | 1770 |
| Country | United States |
End: Montrose (-107.87617, 38.47832)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 478 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 53m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 25m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 56m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 56m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 14m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 42m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $38.76 | $77.51 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $42.80 | $85.60 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $46.02 | $92.04 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $49.64 | $99.29 |
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.