How far is Lakewood, CO from Center, CO?
The driving distance from Lakewood, CO to Center, CO is about 201.5 miles (324.3 km), with a travel time of about 04h 27m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 145.8 miles (234.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 55m 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 04h 27m.
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.
Town of the United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lakewood and Center.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lakewood and Center.
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1
Start on South Wadsworth Boulevard
870 ft · 24 sec · South Wadsworth Boulevard
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2
Continue on South Wadsworth Boulevard
2.2 mi · 4 min · South Wadsworth Boulevard
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3
Continue on South Wadsworth Boulevard
1.6 mi · 3 min · South Wadsworth Boulevard
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4
Take the ramp right toward US 285 South
1414 ft · 35 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto West Hampden Avenue Freeway
106.4 mi · 2 hr 19 min · West Hampden Avenue Freeway
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6
At the end of the road, turn left
11.1 mi · 18 min
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7
Continue straight
10 mi · 16 min
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8
Turn left
26.7 mi · 35 min
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9
Turn left
37 m · 2 sec
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10
Take the exit slight right toward CO 17 South
1023 ft · 16 sec
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11
Merge slight left
13.3 mi · 16 min
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12
Continue straight
16.9 mi · 20 min
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13
Turn right
12.5 mi · 15 min
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14
Turn right onto South Worth Street
1756 ft · 1 min · South Worth Street
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Worth Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lakewood and Center.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
West Hampden Avenue Freeway
Merge slight left onto West Hampden Avenue Freeway
106 mi · 02h 19m
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.
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Lakewood and Sunny near Center.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lakewood to Center?
The road trip is about 201.5 miles (324.3 km) and usually takes 04h 27m 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?
Buena Vista is a useful midpoint, sitting about 100.8 miles from Lakewood and 100.7 miles from Center.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 145.8 miles (234.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 55.7 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:04 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.29 one way or $52.59 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 63.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Lakewood and Sunny near Center.
Stop Ideas Near Buena Vista
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 Buena Vista.
Buena Vista, CO
Poncha Springs, CO
Salida, CO
Fairplay, CO
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lakewood and Center. Straight-line distance: 145.77 mi (234.59 km).
#1 Lakewood
The fifth most populous city in Colorado.
| Population | 157,429 |
| Coordinates | 39.7047100, -105.0813700 |
| Altitude | 1682 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Center
Town in Colorado, United States
| Population | 2,385 |
| Coordinates | 37.7530600, -106.1086400 |
| Altitude | 2330 |
| Country | United States |
End: Center (-106.10864, 37.75306)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 324 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 42m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 02m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 01m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 21m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 52m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 30m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $26.29 | $52.59 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $29.04 | $58.07 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $31.22 | $62.44 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $33.68 | $67.36 |
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 · Jun 01, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.