How far is Salida, CO from Boulder, CO?
The driving distance from Salida, CO to Boulder, CO is about 153.9 miles (247.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 51m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 109.4 miles (176.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 42m 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 51m.
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 Boulder.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Salida and Boulder.
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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
27.8 mi · 40 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward CO 470 West: West CO 470 to I-70
1552 ft · 53 sec
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14
Merge slight left
7 mi · 9 min
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15
Merge slight left onto Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
2.7 mi · 4 min · Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
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16
Continue straight
7.5 mi · 11 min
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17
Continue straight
11.8 mi · 20 min
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18
Turn right onto University Avenue
1049 ft · 36 sec · University Avenue
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19
Continue on 17th Street
813 ft · 30 sec · 17th Street
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20
Turn right onto Athens Street
646 ft · 33 sec · Athens Street
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21
Turn left onto 19th Street
864 ft · 29 sec · 19th Street
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22
Turn left
27 m · 5 sec
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Salida and Boulder.
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 Boulder.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Salida to Boulder?
The road trip is about 153.9 miles (247.6 km) and usually takes 02h 51m 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 76.8 miles from Salida and 77.1 miles from Boulder.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 109.4 miles (176.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 44.5 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 12:48 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.08 one way or $40.16 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 48.3 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 Boulder.
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 Boulder. Straight-line distance: 109.44 mi (176.13 km).
#1 Salida
City in Chaffee County, Colorado, United States
| Population | 5,690 |
| Coordinates | 38.5347200, -105.9989000 |
| Altitude | 2159 |
| 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: 248 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 07m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 50m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 04m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 33m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 11m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 55m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $20.08 | $40.16 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $22.18 | $44.35 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $23.84 | $47.69 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $25.72 | $51.44 |
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.