How far is Federal Heights, CO from Boulder, CO?

The driving distance from Federal Heights, CO to Boulder, CO is about 21.3 miles (34.3 km), with a travel time of about 00h 27m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 18.3 miles (29.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 54m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM MDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
21.33 mi
00h 27m
Flight
18.31 mi
29.47 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Federal Heights.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
18.31 mi
Kilometers
29.47 km
Flight Time
00h 02m

Driving Distance

Road route
21.33 mi
Kilometers
34.32 km
Drive Time
00h 27m

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 27m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Boulder
Sat, Apr 18, 12:21 AM MDT
Return by in Federal Heights
Sat, Apr 18, 12:49 AM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Federal Heights
2026-04-17T23:54
Arrive Boulder
Sat, Apr 18, 12:21 AM MDT
Route Timing
00h 27m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM MDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:27 AM to 7:27 PM MDT

This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.

Leave by
7:36 PM MDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Federal Heights
10:00 PM MDT
Flexible departure

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.

Mid-route stop
Broomfield
CO

A city in Broomfield County, Colorado.

From Federal Heights
10.6 mi
00h 13m
To Boulder
10.7 mi
00h 13m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
41°F
Friday

Snow Showers

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
14 mph NNE
Destination
43°F
Friday

Snow Showers

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
5 to 9 mph NNE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Federal Heights and Boulder.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Federal Heights and Boulder.

  1. 1

    Start on West 85th Avenue

    2179 ft · 2 min · West 85th Avenue

  2. 2

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Pecos Street

    1016 ft · 31 sec · Pecos Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto West 84th Avenue

    1.6 km · 2 min · West 84th Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Federal Boulevard

    1.1 km · 1 min · Federal Boulevard

  5. 5

    Take the ramp slight right toward US 36 West: Boulder

    1660 ft · 38 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Denver–Boulder Turnpike

    1.2 mi · 1 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike

    2.3 mi · 3 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike

    1.9 mi · 2 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike

    2.1 mi · 2 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike

    2.9 mi · 3 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike

  11. 11

    Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike

    2.4 mi · 3 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike

  12. 12

    Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike

    2.2 mi · 3 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike

  13. 13

    Keep slight left to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike

    2.3 mi · 3 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike

  14. 14

    Continue on 28th Street

    1.2 km · 2 min · 28th Street

  15. 15

    Turn left onto Arapahoe Avenue

    1 km · 2 min · Arapahoe Avenue

  16. 16

    Turn right onto 19th Street

    44 m · 11 sec · 19th Street

  17. 17

    Turn left

    27 m · 5 sec

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Federal Heights and Boulder.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

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.

Directions
18 steps
14 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
84.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
17.3 mi · 81%
West 84th Avenue
1 mi · 5%
28th Street
0.76 mi · 4%
Federal Boulevard
0.68 mi · 3%
Arapahoe Avenue
0.64 mi · 3%
West 85th Avenue
0.41 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Denver–Boulder Turnpike

Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike

2.89 mi · 00h 03m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
00h 27m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
00h 54m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+3 mi
18.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Broomfield
00h 13m from Federal Heights
Leave By
7:36 PM MDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Snow Showers leaving Federal Heights and Snow Showers near Boulder.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Federal Heights to Boulder?

The road trip is about 21.3 miles (34.3 km) and usually takes 00h 27m 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?

Broomfield is a useful midpoint, sitting about 10.6 miles from Federal Heights and 10.7 miles from Boulder.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 18.3 miles (29.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 3 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 7:36 PM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.77 one way or $5.55 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 6.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Snow Showers around Federal Heights and Snow Showers near Boulder.

Stop Ideas Near Broomfield

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Broomfield and the surrounding midpoint area.
Municipal Court Park
Scenic stop 8.1 mi away

Municipal Court Park

Westminster , CO
3025 W 76th Ave, Westminster, CO 80030
Rating 3.8/5 94 reviews Park
Denver City Council
Meeting point 14.7 mi away

Denver City Council

Denver , CO
1437 Bannock St rm 451, Denver, CO 80202
Rating 3.6/5 92 reviews City government office,County government office
Lafayette City Hall
Nearby stop 4.3 mi away

Lafayette City Hall

Lafayette , CO
1290 S Public Rd, Lafayette, CO 80026
Rating 5.0/5 2 reviews City administration

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Broomfield.

RAIL

Union Station

20 mi away
1701 Wynkoop Street
BUS

Denver (Bus Station), Colorado

21 mi away
1055 19th Street
BUS

Boulder, Colorado

23 mi away
30th & Diagonal Highway
BUS

Longmont, Colorado

28 mi away
623 Main St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Federal Heights and Boulder. Straight-line distance: 18.31 mi (29.47 km).

Federal Heights

#1 Federal Heights

City in Adams County, Colorado, United States

Population13,598
Coordinates39.8513700, -104.9985900
Altitude1613
CountryUnited States
Boulder

#2 Boulder

The most populous city in Boulder County, Colorado.

Population107,645
Coordinates40.0149900, -105.2705500
Altitude1624
CountryUnited States
Start: West 85th Avenue (-104.998457, 39.851525)
End: (-105.27055, 40.014996)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 34 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 42m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 31m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 25m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 21m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 18m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 15m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.75 gal
2.85 L · about $2.77
Round trip
$5.55
1.5 gal · 5.7 L
Estimated CO2
6.7 kg one way
Round trip: 13.3 kg / 29 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.70 $2.77 $5.55
Mid-grade $4.08 $3.06 $6.13
Premium $4.39 $3.29 $6.59
Diesel $4.74 $3.55 $7.11

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 18, 2026

There is no time difference between Federal Heights and Boulder. The current time is 23:54:27.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.