How far is Highlands Ranch, CO from Commerce City, CO?

The driving distance from Highlands Ranch, CO to Commerce City, CO is about 31.4 miles (50.5 km), with a travel time of about 00h 39m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 17.7 miles (28.5 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 19m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM MDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
31.38 mi
00h 39m
Flight
17.68 mi
28.46 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Highlands Ranch.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
17.68 mi
Kilometers
28.46 km
Flight Time
00h 02m

Driving Distance

Road route
31.38 mi
Kilometers
50.5 km
Drive Time
00h 39m

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 39m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Commerce City
Wed, Apr 22, 9:40 PM MDT
Return by in Highlands Ranch
Wed, Apr 22, 10:20 PM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Highlands Ranch
2026-04-22T21:00
Arrive Commerce City
Wed, Apr 22, 9:40 PM MDT
Route Timing
00h 39m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM MDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:40 AM to 7:40 PM MDT

This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.

Leave by
7:10 PM MDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Highlands Ranch
10:00 PM MDT
Flexible departure

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
Glendale
CO

City in Colorado

From Highlands Ranch
11.6 mi
00h 19m
To Commerce City
19.8 mi
00h 19m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
80°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
9 to 24 mph SW
Destination
83°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
7 to 21 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Highlands Ranch and Commerce City.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Highlands Ranch and Commerce City.

  1. 1

    Start on South Wild Iris Run

    107 m · 19 sec · South Wild Iris Run

  2. 2

    Turn right onto East Thistle Ridge Road

    1551 ft · 1 min · East Thistle Ridge Road

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Venneford Ranch Road

    2752 ft · 1 min · Venneford Ranch Road

  4. 4

    Turn left onto South University Boulevard

    9.2 mi · 17 min · South University Boulevard

  5. 5

    Take the ramp slight left

    1793 ft · 46 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto South Valley Highway

    7.4 mi · 10 min · South Valley Highway

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward I 70: Limon, Grand Junction

    919 ft · 19 sec

  8. 8

    Continue on Grand Army of the Republic Highway

    1.6 km · 1 min · Grand Army of the Republic Highway

  9. 9

    Keep slight left

    1638 ft · 40 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left

    1.2 mi · 2 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward US 6, US 85: Vasquez Boulevard

    1614 ft · 39 sec

  12. 12

    Turn left onto North Vasquez Boulevard

    2.1 mi · 3 min · North Vasquez Boulevard

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Dexter Street

    946 ft · 52 sec · Dexter Street

  14. 14

    Turn left

    732 ft · 54 sec

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Highlands Ranch and Commerce City.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
15 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
47.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
South University Boulevard
9.57 mi · 30%
South Valley Highway
7.44 mi · 24%
Grand Army of the Republic Highway
2.44 mi · 8%
North Vasquez Boulevard
2.07 mi · 7%
Venneford Ranch Road
0.52 mi · 2%
US 6
0.31 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

South University Boulevard

Turn left onto South University Boulevard

9.23 mi · 00h 17m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

A short regional drive

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

Drive Time
00h 39m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
01h 20m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+13.7 mi
17.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Glendale
00h 19m from Highlands Ranch
Leave By
7:10 PM MDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Highlands Ranch and Sunny near Commerce City.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Highlands Ranch to Commerce City?

The road trip is about 31.4 miles (50.5 km) and usually takes 00h 39m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Glendale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 11.6 miles from Highlands Ranch and 19.8 miles from Commerce City.

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

The direct path is about 17.7 miles (28.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.7 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:10 PM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.10 one way or $8.21 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 9.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Highlands Ranch and Sunny near Commerce City.

Stop Ideas Near Glendale

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 Glendale and the surrounding midpoint area.
Fairplay Park
Scenic stop 9.6 mi away

Fairplay Park

Aurora , CO
2200 Altura Blvd, Aurora, CO 80011
Rating 4.2/5 125 reviews Tourist attraction,Park
Denver City Council
Meeting point 3 mi away

Denver City Council

Denver , CO
1437 Bannock St rm 451, Denver, CO 80202
Rating 3.6/5 92 reviews City government office,County government office
Town Hall Arts Center
Nearby stop 6 mi away

Town Hall Arts Center

Littleton , CO
2450 Main St, Littleton, CO 80120
Rating 4.7/5 204 reviews Performing arts theater,Art gallery
Municipal Court Park
Scenic stop 9.9 mi away

Municipal Court Park

Westminster , CO
3025 W 76th Ave, Westminster, CO 80030
Rating 3.8/5 94 reviews Park

Transit and Meeting Points

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

BUS

Denver (Bus Station), Colorado

7 mi away
1055 19th Street
RAIL

Union Station

8 mi away
1701 Wynkoop Street
BUS

Pine Junction, CO

48 mi away
76 Mount Evans Boulevard
BUS

Boulder, Colorado

49 mi away
30th & Diagonal Highway

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Highlands Ranch and Commerce City. Straight-line distance: 17.68 mi (28.46 km).

Highlands Ranch

#1 Highlands Ranch

Census designated place

Population96,713
Coordinates39.5538800, -104.9694300
Altitude1732
CountryUnited States
Commerce City

#2 Commerce City

The most populous city in Adams County, Colorado.

Population60,336
Coordinates39.8083200, -104.9338700
Altitude1572
CountryUnited States
Start: South Wild Iris Run (-104.969301, 39.553903)
End: (-104.933706, 39.808312)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 51 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 02m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 47m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 37m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 31m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 26m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 23m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.11 gal
4.19 L · about $4.10
Round trip
$8.21
2.22 gal · 8.38 L
Estimated CO2
9.9 kg one way
Round trip: 19.7 kg / 43 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.70 $4.10 $8.21
Mid-grade $4.08 $4.53 $9.07
Premium $4.39 $4.87 $9.75
Diesel $4.74 $5.26 $10.52

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

There is no time difference between Highlands Ranch and Commerce City. The current time is 21:00:34.

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.