How far is Lakewood, CO from Highlands Ranch, CO?

The driving distance from Lakewood, CO to Highlands Ranch, CO is about 18.1 miles (29.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 32m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 12 miles (19.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 04m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM MDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
18.14 mi
00h 32m
Flight
12 mi
19.32 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Lakewood.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
12 mi
Kilometers
19.32 km
Flight Time
00h 01m

Driving Distance

Road route
18.14 mi
Kilometers
29.2 km
Drive Time
00h 32m

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 32m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Highlands Ranch
Wed, May 6, 10:18 PM MDT
Return by in Lakewood
Wed, May 6, 10:50 PM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Lakewood
2026-05-06T21:45
Arrive Highlands Ranch
Wed, May 6, 10:18 PM MDT
Route Timing
00h 32m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM MDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:32 AM to 7:32 PM MDT

This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.

Leave by
7:26 PM MDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Lakewood
10:00 PM MDT
Flexible departure

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.

Mid-route stop
Littleton
CO

A city in Arapahoe County, Colorado.

From Lakewood
9.1 mi
00h 16m
To Highlands Ranch
9.1 mi
00h 16m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
39°F
Today

Snow

Starts
Wed, May 6 10:00 AM MDT
Wind
3 to 13 mph NE
Destination
38°F
This Afternoon

Chance Snow Showers

Starts
Wed, May 6 3:00 PM MDT
Wind
6 mph ENE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Lakewood and Highlands Ranch.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lakewood and Highlands Ranch.

  1. 1

    Start on South Wadsworth Boulevard

    870 ft · 24 sec · South Wadsworth Boulevard

  2. 2

    Continue on South Wadsworth Boulevard

    2.2 mi · 4 min · South Wadsworth Boulevard

  3. 3

    Continue on South Wadsworth Boulevard

    1.7 mi · 3 min · South Wadsworth Boulevard

  4. 4

    Turn left onto US 285 North

    1235 ft · 32 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto West Hampden Avenue Freeway

    2.6 mi · 3 min · West Hampden Avenue Freeway

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward CO 88

    861 ft · 24 sec

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on CO 88 South

    91 m · 9 sec

  8. 8

    Turn straight onto South Federal Boulevard

    1.8 mi · 3 min · South Federal Boulevard

  9. 9

    Turn left onto West Belleview Avenue

    2 mi · 3 min · West Belleview Avenue

  10. 10

    Turn right onto South Broadway

    4.2 mi · 7 min · South Broadway

  11. 11

    Turn left onto CO 470 East

    1968 ft · 50 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left

    1.1 km · 49 sec

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward CO 177: University Boulevard

    1715 ft · 42 sec

  14. 14

    Keep slight right to continue on University Boulevard

    659 ft · 17 sec

  15. 15

    Turn straight onto South University Boulevard

    1 km · 1 min · South University Boulevard

  16. 16

    Turn right onto Venneford Ranch Road

    2752 ft · 1 min · Venneford Ranch Road

  17. 17

    Turn right onto East Thistle Ridge Road

    1551 ft · 1 min · East Thistle Ridge Road

  18. 18

    Turn left onto South Wild Iris Run

    107 m · 16 sec · South Wild Iris Run

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South Wild Iris Run

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Lakewood and Highlands Ranch.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
19 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
105 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
South Broadway
4.18 mi · 23%
South Wadsworth Boulevard
3.99 mi · 22%
West Hampden Avenue Freeway
2.64 mi · 15%
West Belleview Avenue
2 mi · 11%
South Federal Boulevard
1.84 mi · 10%
CO 470 East
1.08 mi · 6%
Longest Stretch

South Broadway

Turn right onto South Broadway

4.18 mi · 00h 07m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A short regional drive

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

Drive Time
00h 32m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
01h 04m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+6.1 mi
12 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Littleton
00h 16m from Lakewood
Leave By
7:26 PM MDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Snow leaving Lakewood and Chance Snow Showers near Highlands Ranch.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Lakewood to Highlands Ranch?

The road trip is about 18.1 miles (29.2 km) and usually takes 00h 32m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Littleton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 9.1 miles from Lakewood and 9.1 miles from Highlands Ranch.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 12 miles (19.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.1 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:26 PM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.37 one way or $4.73 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 5.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Snow around Lakewood and Chance Snow Showers near Highlands Ranch.

Stop Ideas Near Littleton

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Littleton and the surrounding midpoint area.
Fairplay Park
Scenic stop 14.1 mi away

Fairplay Park

Aurora , CO
2200 Altura Blvd, Aurora, CO 80011
Rating 4.2/5 125 reviews Tourist attraction,Park
Denver City Council
Meeting point 8.1 mi away

Denver City Council

Denver , CO
1437 Bannock St rm 451, Denver, CO 80202
Rating 3.6/5 92 reviews City government office,County government office
Town Hall Arts Center
Nearby stop 0.8 mi away

Town Hall Arts Center

Littleton , CO
2450 Main St, Littleton, CO 80120
Rating 4.7/5 204 reviews Performing arts theater,Art gallery
Municipal Court Park
Scenic stop 14.6 mi away

Municipal Court Park

Westminster , CO
3025 W 76th Ave, Westminster, CO 80030
Rating 3.8/5 94 reviews Park

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Littleton.

BUS

Denver (Bus Station), Colorado

15 mi away
1055 19th Street
RAIL

Union Station

16 mi away
1701 Wynkoop Street
BUS

Pine Junction, CO

36 mi away
76 Mount Evans Boulevard
BUS

Boulder, Colorado

54 mi away
30th & Diagonal Highway

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Lakewood and Highlands Ranch. Straight-line distance: 12 mi (19.32 km).

Lakewood

#1 Lakewood

The fifth most populous city in Colorado.

Population157,429
Coordinates39.7047100, -105.0813700
Altitude1682
CountryUnited States
Highlands Ranch

#2 Highlands Ranch

Census designated place

Population96,713
Coordinates39.5538800, -104.9694300
Altitude1732
CountryUnited States
Start: Lakewood (-105.08137, 39.70471)
End: Highlands Ranch (-104.96943, 39.55388)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 29 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 36m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 27m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 21m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 18m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 15m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 13m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
0.64 gal
2.42 L · about $2.37
Round trip
$4.73
1.28 gal · 4.84 L
Estimated CO2
5.7 kg one way
Round trip: 11.4 kg / 25 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.70 $2.37 $4.73
Mid-grade $4.08 $2.61 $5.23
Premium $4.39 $2.81 $5.62
Diesel $4.74 $3.03 $6.06

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 · May 07, 2026

There is no time difference between Lakewood and Highlands Ranch. The current time is 21:45:54.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.