How far is Gilcrest, CO from Aurora, CO?
The driving distance from Gilcrest, CO to Aurora, CO is about 48.5 miles (78.1 km), with a travel time of about 00h 52m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 38.3 miles (61.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 45m 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 52m.
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.
A city in Adams County, Colorado.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Gilcrest and Aurora.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gilcrest and Aurora.
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1
Start on West Service Road
111 m · 17 sec · West Service Road
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2
Turn right onto Main Street
18 m · 7 sec · Main Street
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3
Turn right onto CanAm Highway
29.9 mi · 44 min · CanAm Highway
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4
Merge slight right onto Heartland Expressway
2.4 mi · 3 min · Heartland Expressway
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5
Take the exit slight right toward US 6 West, US 85 South: Commerce City
3.7 mi · 5 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward I 270 East: Limon
1071 ft · 36 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
3.5 mi · 5 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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8
Merge slight left onto Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway
2.5 mi · 3 min · Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 225 South: Aurora, Colorado Springs
1.5 km · 1 min
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10
Continue straight
2.2 mi · 3 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward CO 30: 6th Avenue
1772 ft · 40 sec
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12
Turn right onto East 6th Avenue
1504 ft · 31 sec · East 6th Avenue
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13
Turn right onto Vaughn Street
78 m · 13 sec · Vaughn Street
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14
Turn right onto North Zion Street
155 m · 28 sec · North Zion Street
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15
Turn left onto North Vaughn Street
990 ft · 43 sec · North Vaughn Street
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Vaughn Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Gilcrest and Aurora.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
CanAm Highway
Turn right onto CanAm Highway
29.9 mi · 00h 44m
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.
Sunny leaving Gilcrest and Sunny near Aurora.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Gilcrest to Aurora?
The road trip is about 48.5 miles (78.1 km) and usually takes 00h 52m 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?
Brighton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 23.2 miles from Gilcrest and 25.3 miles from Aurora.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 38.3 miles (61.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.2 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 4:44 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.32 one way or $12.65 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Gilcrest and Sunny near Aurora.
Stop Ideas Near Brighton
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Fairplay Park
Broomfield City Council
Lafayette City Hall
Municipal Court Park
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Brighton.
Denver (Bus Station), Colorado
Union Station
Longmont, Colorado
Boulder, Colorado
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Gilcrest and Aurora. Straight-line distance: 38.28 mi (61.61 km).
#1 Gilcrest
City in Weld County, Colorado, United States of America
| Population | 1,169 |
| Coordinates | 40.2819300, -104.7777500 |
| Altitude | 1449 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Aurora
The third most populous city in Colorado and the center of the Denver metropolitan area.
| Population | 387,377 |
| Coordinates | 39.7294300, -104.8319200 |
| Altitude | 1648 |
| Country | United States |
End: Vaughn Street (-104.831848, 39.729486)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 78 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 36m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 12m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 58m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 48m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 41m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 36m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $6.32 | $12.65 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $6.98 | $13.97 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $7.51 | $15.02 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $8.10 | $16.20 |
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.