How far is Palisade, CO from Aurora, CO?
The driving distance from Palisade, CO to Aurora, CO is about 246.2 miles (396.2 km), with a travel time of about 04h 00m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 192.6 miles (310 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 00m 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 04h 00m.
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.
Location in Colorado, USA
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 Palisade and Aurora.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Palisade and Aurora.
-
1
Start on Main Street
1513 ft · 49 sec · Main Street
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2
At the end of the road, turn left onto G Road
1.5 km · 1 min · G Road
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3
Continue on Grand Army of the Republic Highway
1.5 mi · 2 min · Grand Army of the Republic Highway
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4
Take the ramp straight
1649 ft · 40 sec
-
5
Merge slight right onto Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
6.3 mi · 7 min · Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
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6
Continue on Beaver Tail Tunnel
80.7 mi · 1 hr 27 min · Beaver Tail Tunnel
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7
Continue on Gerald R. Ford Memorial Highway
138.9 mi · 2 hr 39 min · Gerald R. Ford Memorial Highway
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8
Keep slight right to continue on I 70 East: Denver
5.3 mi · 7 min
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9
Keep slight right
8 mi · 11 min
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward I 225 South: Aurora, Colorado Springs
1.5 km · 1 min
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11
Continue straight
2.2 mi · 3 min
-
12
Take the exit slight right toward CO 30: 6th Avenue
1772 ft · 40 sec
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13
Turn right onto East 6th Avenue
1504 ft · 31 sec · East 6th Avenue
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14
Turn right onto Vaughn Street
78 m · 13 sec · Vaughn Street
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15
Turn right onto North Zion Street
155 m · 28 sec · North Zion Street
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16
Turn left onto North Vaughn Street
990 ft · 43 sec · North Vaughn Street
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Vaughn Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Palisade and Aurora.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Gerald R. Ford Memorial Highway
Continue on Gerald R. Ford Memorial Highway
139 mi · 02h 39m
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 Palisade 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 Palisade to Aurora?
The road trip is about 246.2 miles (396.2 km) and usually takes 04h 00m 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 123 miles from Palisade and 123.2 miles from Aurora.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 192.6 miles (310 km), while the road route adds roughly 53.6 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 9:00 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.14 one way or $64.27 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 77.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Palisade and Mostly Sunny near Aurora.
Stop Ideas Near Edwards
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 Edwards.
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Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Palisade and Aurora. Straight-line distance: 192.63 mi (310 km).
#1 Palisade
Town in Colorado
| Population | 2,797 |
| Coordinates | 39.1102600, -108.3509200 |
| Altitude | 1441 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Aurora
The third most populous city in Colorado and the center of the Denver metropolitan area.
| Population | 387,377 |
| Coordinates | 39.7294300, -104.8319200 |
| Altitude | 1648 |
| Country | United States |
End: Vaughn Street (-104.831848, 39.729486)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 396 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 12m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 09m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 55m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 06m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 31m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 04m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $32.14 | $64.27 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $35.49 | $70.98 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $38.16 | $76.32 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $41.16 | $82.33 |
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.