How far is Rifle, CO from Boulder, CO?
The driving distance from Rifle, CO to Boulder, CO is about 195.5 miles (314.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 23m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 137.5 miles (221.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 46m 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 03h 23m.
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.
Home Rule Municipality in Eagle County, Colorado, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Rifle and Boulder.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rifle and Boulder.
-
1
Start on Railroad Avenue
1824 ft · 50 sec · Railroad Avenue
-
2
Continue straight
3057 ft · 1 min
-
3
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
77 m · 5 sec
-
4
Exit the roundabout
1311 ft · 32 sec
-
5
Merge slight left
168.8 mi · 3 hr 13 min
-
6
Take the exit slight right toward US 40, I 70 Business East, CH 93: Golden, Morrison
1173 ft · 24 sec
-
7
Turn left onto Hogback Road
1123 ft · 35 sec · Hogback Road
-
8
Continue on Lariat Loop Scenic Byway
1.1 mi · 2 min · Lariat Loop Scenic Byway
-
9
Turn left onto Heritage Road
1415 ft · 29 sec · Heritage Road
-
10
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Heritage Road
32 m · 2 sec · Heritage Road
-
11
Exit the roundabout onto Heritage Road
149 m · 10 sec · Heritage Road
-
12
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Heritage Road
15 m · 1 sec · Heritage Road
-
13
Exit the roundabout onto Heritage Road
1356 ft · 27 sec · Heritage Road
-
14
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Heritage Road
39 m · 3 sec · Heritage Road
-
15
Exit the roundabout onto Heritage Road
707 ft · 16 sec · Heritage Road
-
16
Turn slight right onto Heritage Road
809 ft · 20 sec · Heritage Road
-
17
Turn left onto Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
2.3 mi · 4 min · Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
-
18
Continue straight
7.5 mi · 11 min
-
19
Continue straight
11.8 mi · 20 min
-
20
Turn right onto University Avenue
1049 ft · 36 sec · University Avenue
-
21
Continue on 17th Street
813 ft · 30 sec · 17th Street
-
22
Turn right onto Athens Street
646 ft · 33 sec · Athens Street
-
23
Turn left onto 19th Street
864 ft · 29 sec · 19th Street
-
24
Turn left
27 m · 5 sec
-
25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Rifle and Boulder.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Railroad Avenue
Merge slight left
169 mi · 03h 13m
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.
Mostly Sunny then Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Rifle and Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Boulder.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Rifle to Boulder?
The road trip is about 195.5 miles (314.6 km) and usually takes 03h 23m 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?
Vail is a useful midpoint, sitting about 97.2 miles from Rifle and 98.2 miles from Boulder.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 137.5 miles (221.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 58 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 10:14 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.52 one way or $51.03 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 61.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms around Rifle and Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Boulder.
Stop Ideas Near Vail
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 Vail.
Vail, Colorado
Frisco, Colorado
Fairplay, CO
Fraser – Winter Park
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Rifle and Boulder. Straight-line distance: 137.48 mi (221.26 km).
#1 Rifle
City in Colorado
| Population | 9,775 |
| Coordinates | 39.5347000, -107.7831200 |
| Altitude | 1630 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Boulder
The most populous city in Boulder County, Colorado.
| Population | 107,645 |
| Coordinates | 40.0149900, -105.2705500 |
| Altitude | 1624 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-105.27055, 40.014996)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 315 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 30m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 53m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 54m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 15m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 47m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 26m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $25.52 | $51.03 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $28.18 | $56.36 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $30.30 | $60.60 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $32.69 | $65.37 |
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 · May 25, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.