How far is Highlands Ranch, CO from Boulder, CO?
The driving distance from Highlands Ranch, CO to Boulder, CO is about 46.7 miles (75.1 km), with a travel time of about 00h 59m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 35.7 miles (57.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 58m 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 59m.
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.
City in Freeborn County, Minnesota, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Highlands Ranch and Boulder.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Highlands Ranch and Boulder.
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1
Start on South Wild Iris Run
107 m · 19 sec · South Wild Iris Run
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2
Turn right onto East Thistle Ridge Road
1551 ft · 1 min · East Thistle Ridge Road
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3
Turn left onto Venneford Ranch Road
2752 ft · 1 min · Venneford Ranch Road
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4
Turn left onto South University Boulevard
9.2 mi · 17 min · South University Boulevard
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5
Take the ramp slight left
1793 ft · 46 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto South Valley Highway
11.2 mi · 15 min · South Valley Highway
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7
Take the exit slight left toward US 36 West: Westminster, Boulder
2930 ft · 52 sec
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8
Merge slight right onto Denver–Boulder Turnpike
2.1 mi · 2 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike
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9
Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike
1.7 mi · 2 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike
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10
Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike
2.3 mi · 3 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike
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11
Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike
1.9 mi · 2 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike
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12
Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike
2.1 mi · 2 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike
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13
Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike
2.9 mi · 3 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike
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14
Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike
2.4 mi · 3 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike
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15
Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike
2.2 mi · 3 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike
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16
Keep slight left to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike
2.3 mi · 3 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike
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17
Continue on 28th Street
1.2 km · 2 min · 28th Street
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18
Turn left onto Arapahoe Avenue
1 km · 2 min · Arapahoe Avenue
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19
Turn right onto 19th Street
44 m · 11 sec · 19th Street
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20
Turn left
27 m · 5 sec
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Highlands Ranch and Boulder.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
South Valley Highway
Merge slight left onto South Valley Highway
11.2 mi · 00h 15m
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 Highlands Ranch and Mostly Sunny near Boulder.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Highlands Ranch to Boulder?
The road trip is about 46.7 miles (75.1 km) and usually takes 00h 59m 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?
Twin Lakes is a useful midpoint, sitting about 21.7 miles from Highlands Ranch and 24.9 miles from Boulder.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 35.7 miles (57.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 11 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 4:32 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.10 one way or $12.20 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Highlands Ranch and Mostly Sunny near Boulder.
Stop Ideas Near Twin Lakes
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Fairplay Park
Denver City Council
Town Hall Arts Center
Municipal Court Park
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Twin Lakes.
Denver (Bus Station), Colorado
Union Station
Boulder, Colorado
Longmont, Colorado
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Highlands Ranch and Boulder. Straight-line distance: 35.65 mi (57.37 km).
#1 Highlands Ranch
Census designated place
| Population | 96,713 |
| Coordinates | 39.5538800, -104.9694300 |
| Altitude | 1732 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Boulder
The most populous city in Boulder County, Colorado.
| Population | 107,645 |
| Coordinates | 40.0149900, -105.2705500 |
| Altitude | 1624 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-105.27055, 40.014996)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 75 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 33m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 09m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 55m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 46m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 39m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 34m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $6.10 | $12.20 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $6.74 | $13.48 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $7.25 | $14.49 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $7.82 | $15.63 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.