How far is Mead, CO from Aurora, CO?

The driving distance from Mead, CO to Aurora, CO is about 48.7 miles (78.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 48m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 35.9 miles (57.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 36m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
48.69 mi
00h 48m
Flight
35.92 mi
57.8 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Mead.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
35.92 mi
Kilometers
57.8 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
48.69 mi
Kilometers
78.36 km
Drive Time
00h 48m

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 48m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Aurora
Fri, Apr 17, 5:16 PM MDT
Return by in Mead
Fri, Apr 17, 6:05 PM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Mead
2026-04-17T16:28
Arrive Aurora
Fri, Apr 17, 5:16 PM MDT
Route Timing
00h 48m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:48 AM to 10:48 AM MDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:54 PM MDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Mead
9:30 PM MDT
Morning start is best

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
Northglenn
CO

City in Colorado

From Mead
21.3 mi
00h 24m
To Aurora
27.5 mi
00h 24m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
41°F
Friday

Snow Showers

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
14 to 18 mph NNE
Destination
48°F
Friday

Rain And Snow Showers

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
8 to 16 mph N

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Mead and Aurora.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Mead and Aurora.

  1. 1

    Start on 3rd Street

    8 m · 6 sec · 3rd Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Welker Avenue

    1.5 km · 2 min · Welker Avenue

  3. 3

    Take the ramp right

    1132 ft · 28 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

    17.3 mi · 17 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

  5. 5

    Continue on North Valley Highway

    3187 ft · 36 sec · North Valley Highway

  6. 6

    Keep slight right to continue on North Valley Highway

    8.8 mi · 11 min · North Valley Highway

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on North Valley Highway

    1.3 km · 1 min · North Valley Highway

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight left toward I 270 East: Aurora, Limon

    3003 ft · 1 min

  9. 9

    Merge slight right onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

    6.7 mi · 9 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

  10. 10

    Merge slight left onto Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway

    2.5 mi · 3 min · Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward I 225 South: Aurora, Colorado Springs

    1.5 km · 1 min

  12. 12

    Continue straight

    2.2 mi · 3 min

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward CO 30: 6th Avenue

    1772 ft · 40 sec

  14. 14

    Turn right onto East 6th Avenue

    1504 ft · 31 sec · East 6th Avenue

  15. 15

    Turn right onto Vaughn Street

    78 m · 13 sec · Vaughn Street

  16. 16

    Turn right onto North Zion Street

    155 m · 28 sec · North Zion Street

  17. 17

    Turn left onto North Vaughn Street

    990 ft · 43 sec · North Vaughn Street

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Vaughn Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Mead and Aurora.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
18 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
3 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
37 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
24 mi · 49%
North Valley Highway
10.2 mi · 21%
I 225 South
3.12 mi · 6%
Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway
2.48 mi · 5%
Welker Avenue
1.12 mi · 2%
I 270 East
0.57 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

17.3 mi · 00h 17m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
00h 48m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 36m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+12.8 mi
35.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Northglenn
00h 24m from Mead
Leave By
4:54 PM MDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Snow Showers leaving Mead and Rain And Snow Showers near Aurora.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Mead to Aurora?

The road trip is about 48.7 miles (78.4 km) and usually takes 00h 48m 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?

Northglenn is a useful midpoint, sitting about 21.3 miles from Mead and 27.5 miles from Aurora.

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

The direct path is about 35.9 miles (57.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.8 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 4:54 PM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.36 one way or $12.72 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Snow Showers around Mead and Rain And Snow Showers near Aurora.

Stop Ideas Near Northglenn

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 Northglenn and the surrounding midpoint area.
Municipal Court Park
Scenic stop 7.6 mi away

Municipal Court Park

Westminster , CO
3025 W 76th Ave, Westminster, CO 80030
Rating 3.8/5 94 reviews Park
Denver City Council
Meeting point 13.9 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
Lafayette City Hall
Nearby stop 6.3 mi away

Lafayette City Hall

Lafayette , CO
1290 S Public Rd, Lafayette, CO 80026
Rating 5.0/5 2 reviews City administration
Historic Brighton City Hall
Scenic stop 9.6 mi away

Historic Brighton City Hall

Brighton , CO
22 S 4th Ave, Brighton, CO 80601
Rating 4.3/5 31 reviews Historical place,City Hall

Transit and Meeting Points

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

BUS

Denver (Bus Station), Colorado

15 mi away
1055 19th Street
RAIL

Union Station

15 mi away
1701 Wynkoop Street
BUS

Boulder, Colorado

32 mi away
30th & Diagonal Highway
BUS

Longmont, Colorado

33 mi away
623 Main St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Mead and Aurora. Straight-line distance: 35.92 mi (57.8 km).

Mead

#1 Mead

Town in Weld County, Colorado, United States

Population5,003
Coordinates40.2333200, -104.9985900
Altitude1525
CountryUnited States
Aurora

#2 Aurora

The third most populous city in Colorado and the center of the Denver metropolitan area.

Population387,377
Coordinates39.7294300, -104.8319200
Altitude1648
CountryUnited States
Start: 3rd Street (-104.998662, 40.233319)
End: Vaughn Street (-104.831848, 39.729486)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 78 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 37m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 13m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 58m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 48m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 41m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 36m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.72 gal
6.5 L · about $6.36
Round trip
$12.72
3.44 gal · 13 L
Estimated CO2
15.3 kg one way
Round trip: 30.6 kg / 67 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.70 $6.36 $12.72
Mid-grade $4.08 $7.02 $14.05
Premium $4.39 $7.55 $15.11
Diesel $4.74 $8.15 $16.30

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 17, 2026

There is no time difference between Mead and Aurora. The current time is 16:28:10.

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.