How far is Fruita, CO from Denver International Airport, CO?

The driving distance from Fruita, CO to Denver International Airport, CO is about 278.4 miles (448.1 km), with a travel time of about 05h 17m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 221.5 miles (356.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 35m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
278.47 mi
05h 17m
Flight
221.52 mi
356.51 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Fruita.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
221.52 mi
Kilometers
356.51 km
Flight Time
00h 26m

Driving Distance

Road route
278.47 mi
Kilometers
448.15 km
Drive Time
05h 17m

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 17m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Denver International Airport
Wed, Aug 26, 9:41 PM MDT
Return by in Fruita
Thu, Aug 27, 2:59 AM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Fruita
2026-08-26T16:23
Arrive Denver International Airport
Wed, Aug 26, 9:41 PM MDT
Route Timing
05h 17m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:18 AM to 1:18 PM MDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
6:24 AM MDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Fruita
9:00 PM MDT
Early departure recommended

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
Edwards
CO

Location in Colorado, USA

From Fruita
139.1 mi
02h 38m
To Denver International Airport
139.4 mi
02h 38m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
95°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Aug 26 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph SSW
Destination
87°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Aug 26 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
2 to 8 mph ESE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Fruita and Denver International Airport.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Fruita and Denver International Airport.

  1. 1

    Start on South Maple Street

    2 m · 6 sec · South Maple Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto East Aspen Avenue

    1182 ft · 1 min · East Aspen Avenue

  3. 3

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward North Park Square

    117 m · 7 sec · West Aspen Avenue

  4. 4

    Exit the rotary onto West Aspen Avenue

    157 m · 12 sec · West Aspen Avenue

  5. 5

    Turn left onto South Cherry Street

    1598 ft · 47 sec · South Cherry Street

  6. 6

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward I 70

    95 m · 6 sec

  7. 7

    Exit the roundabout onto I 70

    1942 ft · 47 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    250 mi · 4 hr 39 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on I 70 East: Denver

    5.3 mi · 7 min

  10. 10

    Keep slight right

    9.3 mi · 13 min

  11. 11

    Keep slight right to continue on Peña Boulevard

    11.5 mi · 14 min · Peña Boulevard

  12. 12

    Keep slight right to continue on Terminal East

    1.2 mi · 2 min · Terminal East

  13. 13

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Terminal East Departures

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Fruita and Denver International Airport.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
13 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
1 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
4.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 70
250 mi · 90%
I 70 East
14.6 mi · 5%
Peña Boulevard
11.5 mi · 4%
Terminal East
1.18 mi
South Cherry Street
0.3 mi
East Aspen Avenue
0.22 mi
Longest Stretch

I 70

Merge slight left

250 mi · 04h 39m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
05h 17m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
10h 36m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+56.9 mi
221.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Edwards
02h 38m from Fruita
Leave By
6:24 AM MDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Fruita and Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Denver International Airport.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Fruita to Denver International Airport?

The road trip is about 278.4 miles (448.1 km) and usually takes 05h 17m 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?

Edwards is a useful midpoint, sitting about 139.1 miles from Fruita and 139.4 miles from Denver International Airport.

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

The direct path is about 221.5 miles (356.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 56.9 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 6:24 AM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $36.35 one way or $72.70 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 87.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Fruita and Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Denver International Airport.

Stop Ideas Near Edwards

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Edwards, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

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

BUS

Vail, Colorado

21 mi away
241 South Frontage Road East
BUS

Frisco, Colorado

43 mi away
1010 Meadow Drive
RAIL

Glenwood Springs

63 mi away
413 7th Street
BUS

Fairplay, CO

70 mi away
620 US Highway 285

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Fruita and Denver International Airport. Straight-line distance: 221.52 mi (356.51 km).

Fruita

#1 Fruita

Home Rule Municipality located in the western part of Mesa County, Colorado

Population14,295
Coordinates39.1588700, -108.7289900
Altitude1376
CountryUnited States
Denver International Airport

#2 Denver International Airport

Airport in Denver, Colorado, United States

Population0
Coordinates39.8589100, -104.6732600
Altitude1637
CountryUnited States
Start: Fruita (-108.72899, 39.15887)
End: Denver International Airport (-104.67326, 39.85891)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 448 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)09h 16m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 57m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 34m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 38m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 58m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 28m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
9.83 gal
37.2 L · about $36.35
Round trip
$72.70
19.66 gal · 74.4 L
Estimated CO2
87.4 kg one way
Round trip: 174.7 kg / 385 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.70 $36.35 $72.70
Mid-grade $4.08 $40.15 $80.29
Premium $4.39 $43.16 $86.33
Diesel $4.74 $46.56 $93.13

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 · Aug 26, 2026

There is no time difference between Fruita and Denver International Airport. The current time is 16:23:45.

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.