How far is Grand Junction, CO from Black Forest, CO?

The driving distance from Grand Junction, CO to Black Forest, CO is about 304.4 miles (489.9 km), with a travel time of about 05h 48m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 206.6 miles (332.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 37m 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
304.4 mi
05h 48m
Flight
206.62 mi
332.52 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Grand Junction.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
206.62 mi
Kilometers
332.52 km
Flight Time
00h 24m

Driving Distance

Road route
304.4 mi
Kilometers
489.89 km
Drive Time
05h 48m

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 48m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Black Forest
Wed, Apr 15, 12:49 PM MDT
Return by in Grand Junction
Wed, Apr 15, 6:38 PM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Grand Junction
2026-04-15T07:00
Arrive Black Forest
Wed, Apr 15, 12:49 PM MDT
Route Timing
05h 48m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:49 AM to 1:49 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
5:22 AM MDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Grand Junction
9:00 PM MDT
Early departure recommended

This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Vail
CO

Home Rule Municipality in Eagle County, Colorado, United States

From Grand Junction
152 mi
02h 54m
To Black Forest
152.4 mi
02h 54m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
67°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph NE
Destination
59°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
10 mph W

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Grand Junction and Black Forest.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Grand Junction and Black Forest.

  1. 1

    Start on Pitkin Avenue

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Pitkin Avenue

  2. 2

    Continue straight

    4.3 mi · 7 min

  3. 3

    Continue straight

    1.4 km · 1 min

  4. 4

    Keep slight right to continue on I 70 East: Denver

    225.4 mi · 4 hr 13 min

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward US 6 East: 6th Avenue, Lakewood

    1795 ft · 44 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto West 6th Avenue Freeway

    7.9 mi · 9 min · West 6th Avenue Freeway

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward I 25: Fort Collins, Colorado Springs

    1 km · 59 sec

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward I 25 South: Colorado Springs

    2680 ft · 1 min

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto North Valley Highway

    55.5 mi · 1 hr · North Valley Highway

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward Interquest Parkway

    1.1 km · 2 min

  11. 11

    Continue on Interquest Parkway

    2.8 mi · 4 min · Interquest Parkway

  12. 12

    Turn right onto Shoup Road

    4.3 mi · 8 min · Shoup Road

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Black Forest Road

    25 m · 2 sec · Black Forest Road

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Black Forest Road

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Grand Junction and Black Forest.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Long-distance drive

This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.

Directions
14 steps
2 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
4.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 70 East
225 mi · 74%
North Valley Highway
55.5 mi · 18%
West 6th Avenue Freeway
7.89 mi · 3%
Pitkin Avenue
6.39 mi · 2%
Shoup Road
4.27 mi · 1%
Interquest Parkway
3.43 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 70 East

Keep slight right to continue on I 70 East: Denver

225 mi · 04h 13m

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 48m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
11h 38m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+97.8 mi
206.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Vail
02h 54m from Grand Junction
Leave By
5:22 AM MDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Grand Junction and Mostly Sunny near Black Forest.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Grand Junction to Black Forest?

The road trip is about 304.4 miles (489.9 km) and usually takes 05h 48m 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?

Vail is a useful midpoint, sitting about 152 miles from Grand Junction and 152.4 miles from Black Forest.

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

The direct path is about 206.6 miles (332.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 97.8 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 5:22 AM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $39.72 one way or $79.43 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 95.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Grand Junction and Mostly Sunny near Black Forest.

Stop Ideas Near Vail

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Vail, 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 Vail.

BUS

Vail, Colorado

3 mi away
241 South Frontage Road East
BUS

Frisco, Colorado

25 mi away
1010 Meadow Drive
BUS

Fairplay, CO

57 mi away
620 US Highway 285
RAIL

Fraser – Winter Park

59 mi away
205 Fraser Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Grand Junction and Black Forest. Straight-line distance: 206.62 mi (332.52 km).

Grand Junction

#1 Grand Junction

The most populous city in Mesa County, Colorado.

Population63,447
Coordinates39.0638700, -108.5506500
Altitude1400
CountryUnited States
Black Forest

#2 Black Forest

Census designated place

Population13,116
Coordinates39.0130500, -104.7008100
Altitude2246
CountryUnited States
Start: Grand Junction (-108.55065, 39.06387)
End: Black Forest (-104.70081, 39.01305)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 490 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)10h 08m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)07h 36m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)06h 05m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)05h 04m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 20m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 47m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
10.74 gal
40.66 L · about $39.72
Round trip
$79.43
21.48 gal · 81.32 L
Estimated CO2
95.4 kg one way
Round trip: 190.9 kg / 421 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.70 $39.72 $79.43
Mid-grade $4.08 $43.86 $87.72
Premium $4.39 $47.16 $94.32
Diesel $4.74 $50.88 $101.75

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 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Grand Junction and Black Forest. The current time is 07:00:34.

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.