How far is Monte Vista, CO from Denver, CO?
Fastest route
The distance from Monte Vista, Colorado, to Denver, Colorado is approximately 217 miles (349 kilometers). The estimated travel time is 3 hours and 45 minutes.
Directions
- Head north on Washington St toward 2nd Ave.
- Turn left at the 1st cross street onto 2nd Ave.
- Follow US Hwy 285 N to 15th St in Denver.
- Turn right at the 2nd cross street onto S Broadway St.
- Continue onto US Hwy 285 N.
- Take the exit onto CO-470 W toward Interstate 70/Grand Jct.
- Merge onto I-70 E, then take exit 261 for US-6 E/6th Avenue.
- Take the exit onto I-25 N.
- Take exit 210A for US-40/US-287/Colfax Ave.
- Keep right at the fork, follow signs for Downtown/Civic Ctr, and merge onto US-287 S/US-40 E/W Colfax Ave.
- Continue on 15th St to your destination.
Tips & Suggestions
- 🚗 Plan for a break: It's a long drive, so consider taking a break or two to stretch and rest during the journey.
- ⛽ Fuel up: Ensure your vehicle has enough fuel before starting the trip, especially if there are limited gas stations on the route.
- 🚧 Check traffic updates: Keep an eye on real-time traffic conditions to avoid potential delays or detours.
- 🗺️ Use a GPS or navigation app: Make use of GPS or a reliable navigation app to stay on the correct route and avoid getting lost.
- 🍴 Pack snacks: Bring some snacks and water for the road to stay energized and hydrated.
- 🚙 Car maintenance: Before the trip, check your car's tires, brakes, and fluids to ensure it's in good working condition.
- 📱 Emergency kit: Carry a basic emergency kit with essentials like a first-aid kit, flashlight, and tools in case of unexpected situations.
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 46m.
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.
Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Monte Vista and Denver.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Monte Vista and Denver.
-
1
Start on 2nd Avenue
129 m · 16 sec · 2nd Avenue
-
2
Turn right onto South Broadway Street
2442 ft · 1 min · South Broadway Street
-
3
Continue on Gunbarrel Road
34.3 mi · 47 min · Gunbarrel Road
-
4
Continue on 8th Street
1780 ft · 43 sec · 8th Street
-
5
Turn straight
1663 ft · 41 sec
-
6
Turn straight
40.2 mi · 51 min
-
7
Continue straight
11.2 mi · 18 min
-
8
Continue straight
9.7 mi · 16 min
-
9
Take the exit slight right toward US 285 North
1151 ft · 22 sec
-
10
Merge slight left
73.9 mi · 1 hr 34 min
-
11
Continue straight
36.8 mi · 51 min
-
12
Take the exit slight right toward US 85
828 ft · 35 sec
-
13
Keep slight left to continue on US 85 North
76 m · 15 sec
-
14
Turn left onto US 85 North
32 m · 6 sec
-
15
Merge slight right onto South Santa Fe Drive
3.1 mi · 4 min · South Santa Fe Drive
-
16
Turn right onto West Mississippi Avenue
2583 ft · 1 min · West Mississippi Avenue
-
17
Turn left onto South Logan Street
2.8 mi · 5 min · South Logan Street
-
18
Turn left onto East 13th Avenue
720 ft · 27 sec · East 13th Avenue
-
19
Turn right onto Sherman Street
644 ft · 34 sec · Sherman Street
-
20
At the end of the road, turn right
91 m · 22 sec
-
21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Monte Vista and Denver.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
US 285 North
Merge slight left
73.9 mi · 01h 34m
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.
Sunny leaving Monte Vista and Mostly Sunny near Denver.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Monte Vista to Denver?
The road trip is about 217.3 miles (349.7 km) and usually takes 03h 46m 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 107.2 miles from Monte Vista and 110 miles from Denver.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 161.9 miles (260.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 55.4 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 9:28 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.36 one way or $56.73 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 68.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Monte Vista and Mostly Sunny near Denver.
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 Monte Vista and Denver. Straight-line distance: 161.9 mi (260.55 km).
#1 Monte Vista
Home rule municipality in Colorado
| Population | 4,067 |
| Coordinates | 37.5791700, -106.1480800 |
| Altitude | 2336 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Denver
The twentieth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Denver metropolitan area.
| Population | 735,538 |
| Coordinates | 39.7391500, -104.9847000 |
| Altitude | 1609 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-104.984198, 39.739139)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 350 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 14m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 25m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 20m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 37m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 06m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 42m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $28.36 | $56.73 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $31.32 | $62.65 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $33.68 | $67.36 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $36.33 | $72.67 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.