How far is Orchard Mesa, CO from Aurora, CO?

The driving distance from Orchard Mesa, CO to Aurora, CO is about 259.8 miles (418.1 km), with a travel time of about 04h 13m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 204.2 miles (328.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 27m 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
259.8 mi
04h 13m
Flight
204.24 mi
328.69 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Orchard Mesa.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
204.24 mi
Kilometers
328.69 km
Flight Time
00h 24m

Driving Distance

Road route
259.8 mi
Kilometers
418.1 km
Drive Time
04h 13m

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 13m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Aurora
Wed, Apr 22, 10:52 PM MDT
Return by in Orchard Mesa
Thu, Apr 23, 3:06 AM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Orchard Mesa
2026-04-22T18:38
Arrive Aurora
Wed, Apr 22, 10:52 PM MDT
Route Timing
04h 13m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:14 AM to 12:14 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
8:32 AM MDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Orchard Mesa
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
Edwards
CO

Location in Colorado, USA

From Orchard Mesa
129.7 mi
02h 06m
To Aurora
130.1 mi
02h 06m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
72°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
15 to 25 mph SW
Destination
82°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
9 to 22 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Orchard Mesa and Aurora.

  1. 1

    Start on 27 Road

    4 m · 2 sec · 27 Road

  2. 2

    Turn left

    2 mi · 4 min

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Pitkin Avenue

    2 mi · 4 min · Pitkin Avenue

  4. 4

    Continue straight

    4.3 mi · 7 min

  5. 5

    Continue straight

    1.4 km · 1 min

  6. 6

    Keep slight right to continue on I 70 East: Denver

    233.3 mi · 4 hr 22 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on I 70 East: Denver

    5.3 mi · 7 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight right

    8 mi · 11 min

  9. 9

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

    1.5 km · 1 min

  10. 10

    Continue straight

    2.2 mi · 3 min

  11. 11

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

    1772 ft · 40 sec

  12. 12

    Turn right onto East 6th Avenue

    1504 ft · 31 sec · East 6th Avenue

  13. 13

    Turn right onto Vaughn Street

    78 m · 13 sec · Vaughn Street

  14. 14

    Turn right onto North Zion Street

    155 m · 28 sec · North Zion Street

  15. 15

    Turn left onto North Vaughn Street

    990 ft · 43 sec · North Vaughn Street

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Vaughn Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Orchard Mesa 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
16 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
0 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
6.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 70 East
247 mi · 95%
Pitkin Avenue
7.12 mi · 3%
I 225 South
3.12 mi · 1%
CO 30
0.34 mi
East 6th Avenue
0.28 mi
North Vaughn Street
0.19 mi
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 13m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 28m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+55.6 mi
204.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Edwards
02h 06m from Orchard Mesa
Leave By
8:32 AM MDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Orchard Mesa 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 Orchard Mesa to Aurora?

The road trip is about 259.8 miles (418.1 km) and usually takes 04h 13m 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?

Edwards is a useful midpoint, sitting about 129.7 miles from Orchard Mesa and 130.1 miles from Aurora.

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

The direct path is about 204.2 miles (328.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 55.6 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 8:32 AM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.91 one way or $67.82 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 81.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Edwards

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Edwards, 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 Edwards.

BUS

Vail, Colorado

21 mi away
241 South Frontage Road East
BUS

Frisco, Colorado

43 mi away
1010 Meadow Drive
RAIL

Glenwood Springs

63 mi away
413 7th Street
BUS

Fairplay, CO

70 mi away
620 US Highway 285

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Orchard Mesa and Aurora. Straight-line distance: 204.24 mi (328.69 km).

Orchard Mesa

#1 Orchard Mesa

Census-designated place in Mesa County, Colorado

Population6,836
Coordinates39.0430400, -108.5523200
Altitude1417
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: US 50 West (-108.552335, 39.043079)
End: Vaughn Street (-104.831848, 39.729486)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 418 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)08h 39m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 29m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 11m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 19m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 42m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 14m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
9.17 gal
34.7 L · about $33.91
Round trip
$67.82
18.34 gal · 69.4 L
Estimated CO2
81.5 kg one way
Round trip: 163 kg / 359 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.70 $33.91 $67.82
Mid-grade $4.08 $37.45 $74.90
Premium $4.39 $40.27 $80.53
Diesel $4.74 $43.44 $86.88

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 · Apr 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Orchard Mesa and Aurora. The current time is 18:38:56.

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.