How far is Denver, CO from Vail, CO?
The driving distance from Denver, CO to Vail, CO is about 97.4 miles (156.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 01m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 74.2 miles (119.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 02m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 01m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Human settlement in Clear Creek County, Colorado, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Chance Snow Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Denver and Vail.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Denver and Vail.
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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
84.5 mi · 1 hr 40 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward Vail Town Center
1189 ft · 29 sec
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11
Enter the roundabout and take exit 4 toward Vail Road
78 m · 7 sec · Vail Road
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12
Exit the roundabout onto Vail Road
91 m · 9 sec · Vail Road
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13
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Vail Road
49 m · 4 sec · Vail Road
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14
Exit the roundabout onto Vail Road
152 m · 27 sec · Vail Road
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15
Turn left onto East Meadow Drive
674 ft · 31 sec · East Meadow Drive
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16
Turn right onto Willow Bridge Road
158 m · 30 sec · Willow Bridge Road
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17
Turn left onto Gore Creek Drive
124 m · 20 sec · Gore Creek Drive
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18
Turn right onto Wall Street
46 m · 7 sec · Wall Street
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Wall Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Denver and Vail.
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
84.5 mi · 01h 40m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Denver and Chance Snow Showers near Vail.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Denver to Vail?
The road trip is about 97.4 miles (156.7 km) and usually takes 02h 01m 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?
Silver Plume is a useful midpoint, sitting about 48.7 miles from Denver and 48.8 miles from Vail.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 74.2 miles (119.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.2 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:28 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.72 one way or $25.44 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 30.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers around Denver and Chance Snow Showers near Vail.
Stop Ideas Near Silver Plume
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 Silver Plume.
Fraser – Winter Park
Frisco, Colorado
Pine Junction, CO
Granby
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Denver and Vail. Straight-line distance: 74.19 mi (119.4 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 Vail
Home Rule Municipality in Eagle County, Colorado, United States
| Population | 5,489 |
| Coordinates | 39.6402600, -106.3742000 |
| Altitude | 2496 |
| Country | United States |
End: Vail (-106.3742, 39.64026)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 157 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 14m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 26m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 56m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 37m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 23m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 12m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $12.72 | $25.44 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $14.05 | $28.10 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $15.11 | $30.21 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $16.30 | $32.59 |
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.