How far is Highlands Ranch, CO from Denver, CO?
The driving distance from Highlands Ranch, CO to Denver, CO is about 22.1 miles (35.5 km), with a travel time of about 00h 32m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 12.8 miles (20.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 04m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM MDT.
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.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 32m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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 Colorado, United States
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 Denver.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Highlands Ranch and Denver.
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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
1430 ft · 20 sec · South Valley Highway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward Downing Street, Washington Street, Emerson Street
622 ft · 15 sec
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8
Keep slight left to continue on Emerson Street, Washington Street
1617 ft · 40 sec
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9
Continue on East Buchtel North Boulevard
3040 ft · 1 min · East Buchtel North Boulevard
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10
Turn right onto South Logan Street
2.7 mi · 5 min · South Logan Street
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11
Turn left onto East 13th Avenue
720 ft · 27 sec · East 13th Avenue
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12
Turn right onto Sherman Street
644 ft · 34 sec · Sherman Street
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13
At the end of the road, turn right
91 m · 22 sec
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14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Highlands Ranch and Denver.
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.
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.
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.
Sunny leaving Highlands Ranch and Mostly Sunny near Denver.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Highlands Ranch to Denver?
The road trip is about 22.1 miles (35.5 km) and usually takes 00h 32m 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?
Cherry Hills Village is a useful midpoint, sitting about 7.4 miles from Highlands Ranch and 14.7 miles from Denver.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 12.8 miles (20.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.3 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 7:26 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.88 one way or $5.77 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 6.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Highlands Ranch and Mostly Sunny near Denver.
Stop Ideas Near Cherry Hills Village
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 Cherry Hills Village.
Denver (Bus Station), Colorado
Union Station
Pine Junction, CO
Boulder, Colorado
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Highlands Ranch and Denver. Straight-line distance: 12.83 mi (20.64 km).
#1 Highlands Ranch
Census designated place
| Population | 96,713 |
| Coordinates | 39.5538800, -104.9694300 |
| Altitude | 1732 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Denver
The twentieth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Denver metropolitan area.
| Population | 735,538 |
| Coordinates | 39.7391500, -104.9847000 |
| Altitude | 1609 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-104.984198, 39.739139)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 35 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 44m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 33m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 26m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 22m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 18m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 16m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $2.88 | $5.77 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $3.19 | $6.37 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $3.42 | $6.85 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $3.69 | $7.39 |
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.