How far is La Junta, CO from Boulder, CO?
The driving distance from La Junta, CO to Boulder, CO is about 214.1 miles (344.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 31m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 168.1 miles (270.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 03m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 31m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Census-designated place in El Paso County, Colorado
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 La Junta and Boulder.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between La Junta and Boulder.
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1
Start on the route
7 m · 4 sec
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2
Turn right onto West 4th Street
62 m · 11 sec · West 4th Street
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3
Turn right onto Santa Fe Avenue
1095 ft · 32 sec · Santa Fe Avenue
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4
At the end of the road, turn left onto West 1st Street
1.2 km · 2 min · West 1st Street
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5
Continue on West 3rd Street
9.3 mi · 15 min · West 3rd Street
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6
Continue straight
18.6 mi · 31 min
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7
Turn right onto South Main Street
1.7 mi · 3 min · South Main Street
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8
Turn left
20.7 mi · 27 min
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9
Continue straight
7.6 mi · 12 min
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10
Take the exit slight right
883 ft · 28 sec
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11
Turn right onto Paul Harvey Boulevard
1514 ft · 49 sec · Paul Harvey Boulevard
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12
At the end of the road, turn left onto William White Boulevard
2.8 mi · 5 min · William White Boulevard
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13
Turn right onto César Chávez Memorial Highway
3.8 mi · 5 min · César Chávez Memorial Highway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward I 25 North: Denver
1903 ft · 48 sec
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15
Merge slight left onto North Freeway
1.8 mi · 2 min · North Freeway
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16
Continue on John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
12.9 mi · 13 min · John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
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17
Continue on Ronald Reagan Highway
23 mi · 24 min · Ronald Reagan Highway
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18
Continue on Monument Valley Freeway
8.5 mi · 10 min · Monument Valley Freeway
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19
Continue on Ronald Reagan Highway
68.6 mi · 1 hr 16 min · Ronald Reagan Highway
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20
Take the exit slight left toward US 36 West: Westminster, Boulder
2930 ft · 52 sec
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21
Merge slight right onto Denver–Boulder Turnpike
2.1 mi · 2 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike
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22
Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike
1.7 mi · 2 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike
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23
Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike
2.3 mi · 3 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike
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24
Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike
1.9 mi · 2 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike
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25
Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike
2.1 mi · 2 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike
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26
Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike
2.9 mi · 3 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike
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27
Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike
2.4 mi · 3 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike
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28
Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike
2.2 mi · 3 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike
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29
Keep slight left to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike
2.3 mi · 3 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike
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30
Continue on 28th Street
1.2 km · 2 min · 28th Street
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31
Turn left onto Arapahoe Avenue
1 km · 2 min · Arapahoe Avenue
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32
Turn right onto 19th Street
44 m · 11 sec · 19th Street
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33
Turn left
27 m · 5 sec
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34
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between La Junta 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.
Ronald Reagan Highway
Continue on Ronald Reagan Highway
68.6 mi · 01h 16m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving La Junta 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 La Junta to Boulder?
The road trip is about 214.1 miles (344.5 km) and usually takes 03h 31m 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?
Stratmoor is a useful midpoint, sitting about 101.5 miles from La Junta and 112.7 miles from Boulder.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 168.1 miles (270.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 46 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 9:56 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $27.96 one way or $55.91 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 67.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around La Junta and Mostly Sunny near Boulder.
Stop Ideas Near Stratmoor
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Stratmoor.
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Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between La Junta and Boulder. Straight-line distance: 168.12 mi (270.57 km).
#1 La Junta
City in Colorado
| Population | 6,854 |
| Coordinates | 37.9850100, -103.5438300 |
| Altitude | 1243 |
| 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: 345 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 07m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 21m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 16m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 34m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 03m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 40m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $27.96 | $55.91 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $30.88 | $61.75 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $33.20 | $66.39 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $35.81 | $71.62 |
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.