How far is Lakewood, CO from Cortez, CO?
The driving distance from Lakewood, CO to Cortez, CO is about 371.4 miles (597.7 km), with a travel time of about 08h 29m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 249.7 miles (401.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 16h 58m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 08h 29m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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 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 Lakewood and Cortez.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lakewood and Cortez.
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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
40.4 mi · 51 min
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9
Turn slight left
23.5 mi · 34 min
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10
Turn right onto West Highway 112
13.1 mi · 19 min · West Highway 112
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11
Turn right onto Grand Avenue
1 km · 2 min · Grand Avenue
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12
Continue on West U.S. Highway 160
57.8 mi · 1 hr 21 min · West U.S. Highway 160
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13
Continue on San Juan Street
2.6 mi · 5 min · San Juan Street
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14
Continue on US 160
10.5 mi · 14 min · US 160
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15
Continue straight
46.1 mi · 1 hr
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16
Take the exit slight left
588 ft · 25 sec
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17
At the end of the road, turn left
44.9 mi · 1 hr 1 min
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18
Turn right onto North Market Street
59 m · 11 sec · North Market Street
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19
Turn left
65 m · 16 sec
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lakewood and Cortez.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
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.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Sunny leaving Lakewood and Mostly Sunny near Cortez.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lakewood to Cortez?
The road trip is about 371.4 miles (597.7 km) and usually takes 08h 29m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Center is a useful midpoint, sitting about 185.7 miles from Lakewood and 185.8 miles from Cortez.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 249.7 miles (401.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 121.7 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 7:30 AM MDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $48.48 one way or $96.96 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 116.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Lakewood and Mostly Sunny near Cortez.
Stop Ideas Near Center
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 Center.
Alamosa, CO
Poncha Springs, CO
Salida, CO
Gunnison-Western State Univ, CO
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lakewood and Cortez. Straight-line distance: 249.72 mi (401.89 km).
#1 Lakewood
The fifth most populous city in Colorado.
| Population | 157,429 |
| Coordinates | 39.7047100, -105.0813700 |
| Altitude | 1682 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Cortez
Town in and county seat of Montezuma County, Colorado, United States
| Population | 8,734 |
| Coordinates | 37.3488800, -108.5859300 |
| Altitude | 1887 |
| Country | United States |
End: Cortez (-108.58593, 37.34888)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 598 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 12h 22m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 09h 17m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 07h 25m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 06h 11m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 18m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 38m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $48.48 | $96.96 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $53.54 | $107.08 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $57.57 | $115.13 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $62.10 | $124.20 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.