How far is Rifle, CO from Lakewood, CO?
The driving distance from Rifle, CO to Lakewood, CO is about 179.1 miles (288.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 58m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 144.3 miles (232.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 57m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 58m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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 Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Rifle and Lakewood.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rifle and Lakewood.
-
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
171.1 mi · 3 hr 16 min
-
6
Take the exit slight right toward US 6 East: 6th Avenue, Lakewood
1795 ft · 44 sec
-
7
Merge slight left onto West 6th Avenue Freeway
4.9 mi · 6 min · West 6th Avenue Freeway
-
8
Take the exit slight right toward CO 121 South: Wadsworth Boulevard
1090 ft · 27 sec
-
9
Turn slight right onto North Wadsworth Boulevard
1.4 mi · 3 min · North Wadsworth Boulevard
-
10
Continue on South Wadsworth Boulevard
112 m · 15 sec · South Wadsworth Boulevard
-
11
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Wadsworth Boulevard
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Rifle and Lakewood.
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
171 mi · 03h 16m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Mostly Sunny then Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Rifle and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Lakewood.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Rifle to Lakewood?
The road trip is about 179.1 miles (288.3 km) and usually takes 02h 58m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Vail is a useful midpoint, sitting about 89.5 miles from Rifle and 89.7 miles from Lakewood.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 144.3 miles (232.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 34.8 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:32 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.37 one way or $46.74 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56.2 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 Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Lakewood.
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 Lakewood. Straight-line distance: 144.26 mi (232.17 km).
#1 Rifle
City in Colorado
| Population | 9,775 |
| Coordinates | 39.5347000, -107.7831200 |
| Altitude | 1630 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Lakewood
The fifth most populous city in Colorado.
| Population | 157,429 |
| Coordinates | 39.7047100, -105.0813700 |
| Altitude | 1682 |
| Country | United States |
End: South Wadsworth Boulevard (-105.081428, 39.70471)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 288 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 58m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 28m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 34m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 59m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 33m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 14m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $23.37 | $46.74 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $25.81 | $51.62 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $27.75 | $55.50 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $29.94 | $59.88 |
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 · 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.