How far is Montrose, CO from Aurora, CO?

The driving distance from Montrose, CO to Aurora, CO is about 271.7 miles (437.2 km), with a travel time of about 04h 57m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 184.7 miles (297.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 54m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
271.64 mi
04h 57m
Flight
184.68 mi
297.22 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Montrose.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
184.68 mi
Kilometers
297.22 km
Flight Time
00h 22m

Driving Distance

Road route
271.64 mi
Kilometers
437.16 km
Drive Time
04h 57m

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 04h 57m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Aurora
Thu, Apr 16, 6:42 AM MDT
Return by in Montrose
Thu, Apr 16, 11:39 AM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Montrose
2026-04-16T01:45
Arrive Aurora
Thu, Apr 16, 6:42 AM MDT
Route Timing
04h 57m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:57 AM to 12:57 PM MDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
7:06 AM MDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Montrose
9:00 PM MDT
Early departure recommended

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
Gypsum
CO

Town of the United States

From Montrose
155 mi
02h 28m
To Aurora
116.7 mi
02h 28m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
67°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
10 to 30 mph S
Destination
76°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 16 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
9 to 16 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on South 1st Street

    51 m · 13 sec · South 1st Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto South Cascade Avenue

    105 m · 17 sec · South Cascade Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn left onto East Main Street

    127 m · 22 sec · East Main Street

  4. 4

    Turn right onto North Townsend Avenue

    3.7 mi · 6 min · North Townsend Avenue

  5. 5

    Continue straight

    17.1 mi · 21 min

  6. 6

    Turn left onto Confluence Drive

    1.4 km · 2 min · Confluence Drive

  7. 7

    Turn left onto West 5th Street

    1105 ft · 27 sec · West 5th Street

  8. 8

    Continue on G Road

    1.6 mi · 3 min · G Road

  9. 9

    Continue on G Road

    1.2 km · 1 min · G Road

  10. 10

    Continue on G50 Road

    2.1 mi · 3 min · G50 Road

  11. 11

    At the end of the road, turn left

    14.8 mi · 17 min

  12. 12

    Continue straight

    11.6 mi · 15 min

  13. 13

    Continue on 32 Road

    5.4 mi · 9 min · 32 Road

  14. 14

    Turn right

    1386 ft · 34 sec

  15. 15

    Continue straight

    1.4 km · 1 min

  16. 16

    Keep slight right to continue on I 70 East: Denver

    233.3 mi · 4 hr 22 min

  17. 17

    Keep slight right to continue on I 70 East: Denver

    5.3 mi · 7 min

  18. 18

    Keep slight right

    8 mi · 11 min

  19. 19

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

    1.5 km · 1 min

  20. 20

    Continue straight

    2.2 mi · 3 min

  21. 21

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

    1772 ft · 40 sec

  22. 22

    Turn right onto East 6th Avenue

    1504 ft · 31 sec · East 6th Avenue

  23. 23

    Turn right onto Vaughn Street

    78 m · 13 sec · Vaughn Street

  24. 24

    Turn right onto North Zion Street

    155 m · 28 sec · North Zion Street

  25. 25

    Turn left onto North Vaughn Street

    990 ft · 43 sec · North Vaughn Street

  26. 26

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Vaughn Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Montrose 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
26 steps
11 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
0 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 70 East
247 mi · 91%
North Townsend Avenue
20.9 mi · 8%
G50 Road
13.7 mi · 5%
32 Road
6.28 mi · 2%
I 225 South
3.12 mi · 1%
G Road
2.34 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

I 70 East

Keep slight right to continue on I 70 East: Denver

233 mi · 04h 22m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
04h 57m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
09h 54m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+87 mi
184.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Gypsum
02h 28m from Montrose
Leave By
7:06 AM MDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Montrose and Mostly Sunny near Aurora.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 271.7 miles (437.2 km) and usually takes 04h 57m 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?

Gypsum is a useful midpoint, sitting about 155 miles from Montrose and 116.7 miles from Aurora.

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

The direct path is about 184.7 miles (297.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 87 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 7:06 AM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $35.43 one way or $70.85 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 85.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Montrose and Mostly Sunny near Aurora.

Stop Ideas Near Gypsum

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Gypsum, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

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

RAIL

Glenwood Springs

34 mi away
413 7th Street
BUS

Vail, Colorado

52 mi away
241 South Frontage Road East
BUS

Frisco, Colorado

74 mi away
1010 Meadow Drive
BUS

Fairplay, CO

95 mi away
620 US Highway 285

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Montrose and Aurora. Straight-line distance: 184.68 mi (297.22 km).

Montrose

#1 Montrose

Coastal resort town and former royal burgh in Angus, Scotland

Population19,902
Coordinates38.4783200, -107.8761700
Altitude1770
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: South 1st Street (-107.876236, 38.478377)
End: Vaughn Street (-104.831848, 39.729486)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 437 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)09h 03m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 47m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 25m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 31m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 52m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 23m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
9.58 gal
36.28 L · about $35.43
Round trip
$70.85
19.16 gal · 72.56 L
Estimated CO2
85.1 kg one way
Round trip: 170.3 kg / 375 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.70 $35.43 $70.85
Mid-grade $4.08 $39.12 $78.25
Premium $4.39 $42.07 $84.13
Diesel $4.74 $45.38 $90.76

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 16, 2026

There is no time difference between Montrose and Aurora. The current time is 01:45:44.

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.