How far is Ken Caryl, CO from Boulder, CO?
The driving distance from Ken Caryl, CO to Boulder, CO is about 35.9 miles (57.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 50m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 31.5 miles (50.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 40m 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 50m.
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.
County seat of Jefferson County, Colorado, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Ken Caryl and Boulder.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ken Caryl and Boulder.
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1
Start on South Cottonwood Mountain
806 ft · 41 sec · South Cottonwood Mountain
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2
Turn left onto South Sangre de Cristo Road
723 ft · 34 sec · South Sangre de Cristo Road
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3
At the end of the road, turn right onto South Continental Divide Road
125 m · 14 sec · South Continental Divide Road
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4
Turn left onto West Ken Caryl Avenue
1.5 mi · 3 min · West Ken Caryl Avenue
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5
Take the ramp slight right toward CO 470 West
1995 ft · 49 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Dave Sanders Memorial Highway
11 mi · 13 min · Dave Sanders Memorial Highway
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7
Merge slight left onto Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
2.7 mi · 4 min · Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
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8
Continue straight
7.5 mi · 11 min
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9
Continue straight
11.8 mi · 20 min
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10
Turn right onto University Avenue
1049 ft · 36 sec · University Avenue
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11
Continue on 17th Street
813 ft · 30 sec · 17th Street
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12
Turn right onto Athens Street
646 ft · 33 sec · Athens Street
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13
Turn left onto 19th Street
864 ft · 29 sec · 19th Street
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14
Turn left
27 m · 5 sec
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Ken Caryl 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.
Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
Continue straight
11.8 mi · 00h 20m
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 Ken Caryl 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 Ken Caryl to Boulder?
The road trip is about 35.9 miles (57.8 km) and usually takes 00h 50m 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?
Golden is a useful midpoint, sitting about 18 miles from Ken Caryl and 18 miles from Boulder.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 31.5 miles (50.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.4 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 4:50 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.70 one way or $9.39 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Ken Caryl and Mostly Sunny near Boulder.
Stop Ideas Near Golden
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Municipal Court Park
Denver City Council
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Golden.
Union Station
Denver (Bus Station), Colorado
Boulder, Colorado
Pine Junction, CO
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Ken Caryl and Boulder. Straight-line distance: 31.48 mi (50.67 km).
#1 Ken Caryl
Census-designated place in Jefferson County, Colorado
| Population | 32,438 |
| Coordinates | 39.5758200, -105.1122100 |
| Altitude | 1756 |
| 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: 58 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 11m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 53m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 43m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 35m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 30m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 26m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $4.70 | $9.39 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $5.19 | $10.37 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $5.58 | $11.15 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $6.02 | $12.03 |
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.