How far is Gilcrest, CO from Denver, CO?

The driving distance from Gilcrest, CO to Denver, CO is about 42.8 miles (68.9 km), with a travel time of about 00h 52m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 39.1 miles (62.9 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.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
42.79 mi
00h 52m
Flight
39.07 mi
62.88 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Gilcrest.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
39.07 mi
Kilometers
62.88 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
42.79 mi
Kilometers
68.87 km
Drive Time
00h 52m

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.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Denver
Sun, Apr 19, 11:51 AM MDT
Return by in Gilcrest
Sun, Apr 19, 12:43 PM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Gilcrest
2026-04-19T10:58
Arrive Denver
Sun, Apr 19, 11:51 AM MDT
Route Timing
00h 52m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:53 AM to 10:53 AM MDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:44 PM MDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Gilcrest
9:30 PM MDT
Morning start is best

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
Brighton
CO

A city in Adams County, Colorado.

From Gilcrest
21.4 mi
00h 26m
To Denver
21.4 mi
00h 26m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
74°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
3 to 8 mph S
Destination
71°F
Sunday

Sunny

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
3 to 8 mph SSE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Gilcrest and Denver.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Gilcrest and Denver.

  1. 1

    Start on West Service Road

    111 m · 17 sec · West Service Road

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Main Street

    18 m · 7 sec · Main Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto CanAm Highway

    29.9 mi · 44 min · CanAm Highway

  4. 4

    Merge slight right onto Heartland Expressway

    6.3 mi · 7 min · Heartland Expressway

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward I 25 South: Denver

    612 ft · 13 sec

  6. 6

    Continue on I 25 south: Denver

    1.5 km · 2 min

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto North Valley Highway

    2.3 mi · 3 min · North Valley Highway

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward 38th Avenue, Park Avenue, Downtown

    1348 ft · 29 sec

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on Park Avenue, Downtown

    528 ft · 11 sec

  10. 10

    Continue on Park Avenue

    3279 ft · 1 min · Park Avenue

  11. 11

    Turn straight onto Park Avenue West

    2615 ft · 1 min · Park Avenue West

  12. 12

    Continue on West 22nd Street

    2095 ft · 1 min · West 22nd Street

  13. 13

    Turn right onto North Broadway

    1.6 km · 3 min · North Broadway

  14. 14

    Turn left onto East 14th Avenue

    709 ft · 30 sec · East 14th Avenue

  15. 15

    Turn left

    109 m · 28 sec

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Gilcrest and Denver.

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
16 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
37.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
CanAm Highway
29.9 mi · 70%
Heartland Expressway
6.33 mi · 15%
North Valley Highway
2.32 mi · 5%
I 25 South
1.06 mi · 2%
North Broadway
0.98 mi · 2%
Park Avenue
0.72 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

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.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
00h 52m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 46m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+3.7 mi
39.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Brighton
00h 26m from Gilcrest
Leave By
4:44 PM MDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Gilcrest and Sunny near Denver.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Gilcrest to Denver?

The road trip is about 42.8 miles (68.9 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 21.4 miles from Gilcrest and 21.4 miles from Denver.

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

The direct path is about 39.1 miles (62.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 3.7 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 4:44 PM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.58 one way or $11.17 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 13.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Gilcrest and Sunny near Denver.

Stop Ideas Near Brighton

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 Brighton and the surrounding midpoint area.
Historic Brighton City Hall
Scenic stop 0.4 mi away

Historic Brighton City Hall

Brighton , CO
22 S 4th Ave, Brighton, CO 80601
Rating 4.3/5 31 reviews Historical place,City Hall
Broomfield City Council
Meeting point 13.9 mi away

Broomfield City Council

Broomfield , CO
1 Descombes Dr, Broomfield, CO 80020
Rating 3.9/5 63 reviews City government office
Lafayette City Hall
Nearby stop 14.1 mi away

Lafayette City Hall

Lafayette , CO
1290 S Public Rd, Lafayette, CO 80026
Rating 5.0/5 2 reviews City administration
Old Town Hall
Scenic stop 9.8 mi away

Old Town Hall

Frederick , CO
105 Fifth St, Frederick, CO 80530
Rating 4.0/5 2 reviews Historical landmark,History museum

Transit and Meeting Points

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

BUS

Denver (Bus Station), Colorado

30 mi away
1055 19th Street
RAIL

Union Station

30 mi away
1701 Wynkoop Street
BUS

Longmont, Colorado

31 mi away
623 Main St.
BUS

Boulder, Colorado

40 mi away
30th & Diagonal Highway

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Gilcrest and Denver. Straight-line distance: 39.07 mi (62.88 km).

Gilcrest

#1 Gilcrest

City in Weld County, Colorado, United States of America

Population1,169
Coordinates40.2819300, -104.7777500
Altitude1449
CountryUnited States
Denver

#2 Denver

The twentieth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Denver metropolitan area.

Population735,538
Coordinates39.7391500, -104.9847000
Altitude1609
CountryUnited States
Start: West Service Road (-104.777769, 40.281944)
End: (-104.984198, 39.739139)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 69 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 25m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 04m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 51m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 42m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 36m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 32m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.51 gal
5.72 L · about $5.58
Round trip
$11.17
3.02 gal · 11.44 L
Estimated CO2
13.4 kg one way
Round trip: 26.8 kg / 59 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.70 $5.58 $11.17
Mid-grade $4.08 $6.17 $12.33
Premium $4.39 $6.63 $13.26
Diesel $4.74 $7.15 $14.31

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

There is no time difference between Gilcrest and Denver. The current time is 10:58:37.

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.