How far is Lakewood, CO from Rifle, CO?
The driving distance from Lakewood, CO to Rifle, CO is about 179.3 miles (288.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 25m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 144.3 miles (232.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 50m 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 25m.
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.
Home Rule Municipality in Eagle County, Colorado, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Sunny then Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lakewood and Rifle.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lakewood and Rifle.
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1
Start on South Wadsworth Boulevard
1.5 mi · 3 min · South Wadsworth Boulevard
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2
Take the ramp slight right toward US 6 West
801 ft · 20 sec
-
3
Merge slight left onto West 6th Avenue Freeway
5.2 mi · 6 min · West 6th Avenue Freeway
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4
Take the exit slight right toward I 70 West: Grand Junction
1.1 km · 56 sec
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5
Merge slight left
170.8 mi · 3 hr 13 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward CO 13 North: Rifle, Meeker
1067 ft · 27 sec
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7
Turn right
2556 ft · 1 min
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8
Continue on Railroad Avenue
1824 ft · 48 sec · Railroad Avenue
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9
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Railroad Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lakewood and Rifle.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 70 West
Merge slight left
171 mi · 03h 13m
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 Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Lakewood and Mostly Sunny then Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms near Rifle.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lakewood to Rifle?
The road trip is about 179.3 miles (288.5 km) and usually takes 03h 25m 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?
Vail is a useful midpoint, sitting about 89.5 miles from Lakewood and 89.7 miles from Rifle.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 144.3 miles (232.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 35 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 10:10 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.37 one way or $46.74 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Lakewood and Mostly Sunny then Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms near Rifle.
Stop Ideas Near Vail
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 Vail.
Vail, Colorado
Frisco, Colorado
Fairplay, CO
Fraser – Winter Park
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lakewood and Rifle. Straight-line distance: 144.26 mi (232.17 km).
#1 Lakewood
The fifth most populous city in Colorado.
| Population | 157,429 |
| Coordinates | 39.7047100, -105.0813700 |
| Altitude | 1682 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Rifle
City in Colorado
| Population | 9,775 |
| Coordinates | 39.5347000, -107.7831200 |
| Altitude | 1630 |
| Country | United States |
End: Rifle (-107.78312, 39.5347)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 288 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 58m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 28m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 35m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 59m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 33m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 14m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $23.37 | $46.74 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $25.81 | $51.62 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $27.75 | $55.50 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $29.94 | $59.88 |
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 25, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.