How far is Estes Park, CO from Boulder, CO?
The driving distance from Estes Park, CO to Boulder, CO is about 37 miles (59.5 km), with a travel time of about 00h 56m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 28.3 miles (45.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 52m 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 00h 56m.
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.
Town in Boulder County, Colorado, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Estes Park and Boulder.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Estes Park and Boulder.
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1
Start on Park Lane
67 m · 15 sec · Park Lane
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2
Turn left onto East Elkhorn Avenue
1052 ft · 38 sec · East Elkhorn Avenue
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3
Take the ramp straight toward US 36, CO 7
43 m · 4 sec
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4
Continue on US 36, CO 7
119 m · 11 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto North Saint Vrain Avenue
1.4 km · 2 min · North Saint Vrain Avenue
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6
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward North Saint Vrain Avenue
43 m · 2 sec · North Saint Vrain Avenue
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7
Exit the roundabout onto North Saint Vrain Avenue
2737 ft · 50 sec · North Saint Vrain Avenue
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8
Continue on East Highway 36
12 mi · 20 min · East Highway 36
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9
Continue on North Saint Vrain Avenue
6.1 mi · 10 min · North Saint Vrain Avenue
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10
Continue on West Main Street
1.2 km · 2 min · West Main Street
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11
Turn left onto Broadway
1418 ft · 51 sec · Broadway
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12
Merge slight left onto Main Street
1090 ft · 34 sec · Main Street
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13
Continue on Ute Highway
1 mi · 2 min · Ute Highway
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14
Take the exit slight right
61 m · 6 sec
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15
Merge slight left onto North Foothills Highway
12.2 mi · 16 min · North Foothills Highway
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16
Turn sharp right onto Jay Road
26 m · 10 sec · Jay Road
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17
Take the ramp sharp left
39 m · 4 sec
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18
Merge slight left onto 28th Street
2.5 mi · 5 min · 28th Street
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19
Turn right onto Arapahoe Avenue
3278 ft · 2 min · Arapahoe Avenue
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20
Turn right onto 19th Street
44 m · 11 sec · 19th Street
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21
Turn left
27 m · 5 sec
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Estes Park and Boulder.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
North Foothills Highway
Merge slight left onto North Foothills Highway
12.2 mi · 00h 16m
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 Cloudy leaving Estes Park and Sunny near Boulder.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Estes Park to Boulder?
The road trip is about 37 miles (59.5 km) and usually takes 00h 56m 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?
Lyons is a useful midpoint, sitting about 18.8 miles from Estes Park and 18.1 miles from Boulder.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 28.3 miles (45.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.7 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:38 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.84 one way or $9.69 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Estes Park and Sunny near Boulder.
Stop Ideas Near Lyons
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 Lyons.
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Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Estes Park and Boulder. Straight-line distance: 28.32 mi (45.58 km).
#1 Estes Park
Town in Larimer County, Colorado, United States
| Population | 6,553 |
| Coordinates | 40.3772100, -105.5216700 |
| Altitude | 2300 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Boulder
The most populous city in Boulder County, Colorado.
| Population | 107,645 |
| Coordinates | 40.0149900, -105.2705500 |
| Altitude | 1624 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-105.27055, 40.014996)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 59 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 13m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 55m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 44m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 36m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 31m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 27m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $4.84 | $9.69 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $5.35 | $10.70 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $5.75 | $11.50 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $6.21 | $12.41 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.