How far is Salida, CO from Denver, CO?
The driving distance from Salida, CO to Denver, CO is about 142.4 miles (229.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 34m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 99.4 miles (160 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 09m 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 34m.
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 of the United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Salida and Denver.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Salida and Denver.
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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
-
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
36.8 mi · 51 min
-
13
Take the exit slight right toward US 85
828 ft · 35 sec
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14
Keep slight left to continue on US 85 North
76 m · 15 sec
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15
Turn left onto US 85 North
32 m · 6 sec
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16
Merge slight right onto South Santa Fe Drive
3.1 mi · 4 min · South Santa Fe Drive
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17
Turn right onto West Mississippi Avenue
2583 ft · 1 min · West Mississippi Avenue
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18
Turn left onto South Logan Street
2.8 mi · 5 min · South Logan Street
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19
Turn left onto East 13th Avenue
720 ft · 27 sec · East 13th Avenue
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20
Turn right onto Sherman Street
644 ft · 34 sec · Sherman Street
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21
At the end of the road, turn right
91 m · 22 sec
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Salida and Denver.
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.
Sunny leaving Salida and Mostly Sunny near Denver.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Salida to Denver?
The road trip is about 142.4 miles (229.2 km) and usually takes 02h 34m 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?
Fairplay is a useful midpoint, sitting about 69.8 miles from Salida and 72.6 miles from Denver.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 99.4 miles (160 km), while the road route adds roughly 43 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 1:20 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.56 one way or $37.13 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 44.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Salida and Mostly Sunny near Denver.
Stop Ideas Near Fairplay
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 Fairplay.
Fairplay, CO
Frisco, Colorado
Buena Vista, CO
Vail, Colorado
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Salida and Denver. Straight-line distance: 99.39 mi (159.96 km).
#1 Salida
City in Chaffee County, Colorado, United States
| Population | 5,690 |
| Coordinates | 38.5347200, -105.9989000 |
| Altitude | 2159 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Denver
The twentieth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Denver metropolitan area.
| Population | 735,538 |
| Coordinates | 39.7391500, -104.9847000 |
| Altitude | 1609 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-104.984198, 39.739139)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 229 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 44m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 33m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 50m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 22m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 02m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 46m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $18.56 | $37.13 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $20.50 | $41.00 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $22.04 | $44.09 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $23.78 | $47.56 |
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.