How far is La Junta, CO from Denver, CO?
The driving distance from La Junta, CO to Denver, CO is about 174 miles (280.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 57m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 143.8 miles (231.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 55m 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 02h 57m.
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 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 La Junta and Denver.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between La Junta and Denver.
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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
57.6 mi · 1 hr 1 min · Ronald Reagan Highway
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20
Take the exit slight right toward Downing Street, Washington Street, Emerson Street
622 ft · 15 sec
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21
Keep slight left to continue on Emerson Street, Washington Street
1617 ft · 40 sec
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22
Continue on East Buchtel North Boulevard
3040 ft · 1 min · East Buchtel North Boulevard
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23
Turn right onto South Logan Street
2.7 mi · 5 min · South Logan Street
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24
Turn left onto East 13th Avenue
720 ft · 27 sec · East 13th Avenue
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25
Turn right onto Sherman Street
644 ft · 34 sec · Sherman Street
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26
At the end of the road, turn right
91 m · 22 sec
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between La Junta and Denver.
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
57.6 mi · 01h 01m
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 La Junta 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 La Junta to Denver?
The road trip is about 174 miles (280.1 km) and usually takes 02h 57m 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?
Fountain is a useful midpoint, sitting about 87.1 miles from La Junta and 86.9 miles from Denver.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 143.8 miles (231.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 30.2 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 12:34 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.71 one way or $45.41 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around La Junta and Mostly Sunny near Denver.
Stop Ideas Near Fountain
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 Fountain.
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Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between La Junta and Denver. Straight-line distance: 143.87 mi (231.53 km).
#1 La Junta
City in Colorado
| Population | 6,854 |
| Coordinates | 37.9850100, -103.5438300 |
| Altitude | 1243 |
| 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: 280 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 47m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 21m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 28m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 54m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 29m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 10m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $22.71 | $45.41 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $25.08 | $50.15 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $26.96 | $53.92 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $29.09 | $58.17 |
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.