How far is Salida, CO from Aurora, CO?
The driving distance from Salida, CO to Aurora, CO is about 148.7 miles (239.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 43m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 103.6 miles (166.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 27m 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 43m.
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.
Town in Colorado, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Snow Showers
Slight Chance Snow Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Salida and Aurora.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Salida and Aurora.
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1
Start on I Street
46 m · 9 sec · I Street
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2
Turn left onto West 5th Street
567 ft · 17 sec · West 5th Street
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3
Turn right onto Poncha Boulevard
92 m · 13 sec · Poncha Boulevard
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4
Turn left onto Crestone Avenue
2478 ft · 1 min · Crestone Avenue
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5
Turn right onto North Grant Street
74 m · 6 sec · North Grant Street
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6
Continue on Mesa Lane
585 ft · 18 sec · Mesa Lane
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7
At the end of the road, turn left
6.9 mi · 10 min
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8
Turn right
4.3 mi · 7 min
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9
Continue straight
9.7 mi · 16 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward US 285 North
1151 ft · 22 sec
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11
Merge slight left
73.9 mi · 1 hr 34 min
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12
Continue straight
37.6 mi · 52 min
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13
Continue on West Hampden Drive
1215 ft · 30 sec · West Hampden Drive
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14
Continue on East Jefferson Avenue
1.2 km · 2 min · East Jefferson Avenue
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15
Continue on East Hampden Bypass
1416 ft · 34 sec · East Hampden Bypass
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16
Continue on East Hampden Avenue
2.6 mi · 5 min · East Hampden Avenue
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17
Take the exit straight toward I 25 South
1777 ft · 45 sec
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18
Merge slight left onto South Valley Highway
1.2 km · 50 sec · South Valley Highway
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19
Take the exit slight right toward I 225 North: Aurora, Limon
1.2 km · 1 min
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20
Keep slight left to continue on I 225 North: Limon
1975 ft · 28 sec
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21
Continue straight
7.9 mi · 9 min
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22
Take the exit slight right toward CO 30: 6th Avenue
1427 ft · 30 sec
-
23
Keep slight left to continue on CO 30: Colorado National Guard, Lowry Campus, 6th Avenue
43 m · 5 sec
-
24
Turn left onto East 6th Avenue
2244 ft · 54 sec · East 6th Avenue
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25
Turn right onto Vaughn Street
78 m · 13 sec · Vaughn Street
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26
Turn right onto North Zion Street
155 m · 28 sec · North Zion Street
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27
Turn left onto North Vaughn Street
990 ft · 43 sec · North Vaughn Street
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Vaughn Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Salida 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.
US 285 North
Merge slight left
73.9 mi · 01h 34m
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.
Slight Chance Snow Showers leaving Salida and Slight Chance Snow Showers near Aurora.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Salida to Aurora?
The road trip is about 148.7 miles (239.3 km) and usually takes 02h 43m 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?
Montezuma is a useful midpoint, sitting about 74.2 miles from Salida and 74.4 miles from Aurora.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 103.6 miles (166.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 45.1 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 1:02 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.41 one way or $38.83 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 46.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Snow Showers around Salida and Slight Chance Snow Showers near Aurora.
Stop Ideas Near Montezuma
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 Montezuma.
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Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Salida and Aurora. Straight-line distance: 103.56 mi (166.67 km).
#1 Salida
City in Chaffee County, Colorado, United States
| Population | 5,690 |
| Coordinates | 38.5347200, -105.9989000 |
| Altitude | 2159 |
| 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: 239 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 57m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 43m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 58m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 28m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 07m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 51m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $19.41 | $38.83 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $21.44 | $42.88 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $23.05 | $46.11 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $24.87 | $49.74 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.