How far is Steamboat Springs, CO from Boulder, CO?
The driving distance from Steamboat Springs, CO to Boulder, CO is about 167.8 miles (270 km), with a travel time of about 03h 12m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 88.5 miles (142.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 25m 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 12m.
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.
Town in Colorado, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Steamboat Springs and Boulder.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Steamboat Springs and Boulder.
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1
Start on the route
72 m · 19 sec
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2
Turn right onto 5th Street
62 m · 13 sec · 5th Street
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3
Turn left onto Lincoln Avenue
4.3 mi · 8 min · Lincoln Avenue
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4
Continue straight
3270 ft · 51 sec
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5
Continue straight
46.8 mi · 1 hr
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6
Turn right onto South 6th Street
1353 ft · 34 sec · South 6th Street
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7
Continue on Tyler Avenue
1.1 mi · 2 min · Tyler Avenue
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8
Continue on Colorado River Headwaters Scenic Byway
30.6 mi · 40 min · Colorado River Headwaters Scenic Byway
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9
Continue straight
5.3 mi · 9 min
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10
Continue straight
746 ft · 25 sec
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11
Take the exit left toward I 70 East
1368 ft · 25 sec
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12
Merge slight left
52.7 mi · 1 hr 4 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward US 40, I 70 Business East, CH 93: Golden, Morrison
1173 ft · 24 sec
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14
Turn left onto Hogback Road
1123 ft · 35 sec · Hogback Road
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15
Continue on Lariat Loop Scenic Byway
1.1 mi · 2 min · Lariat Loop Scenic Byway
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16
Turn left onto Heritage Road
1415 ft · 29 sec · Heritage Road
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17
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Heritage Road
32 m · 2 sec · Heritage Road
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18
Exit the roundabout onto Heritage Road
149 m · 10 sec · Heritage Road
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19
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Heritage Road
15 m · 1 sec · Heritage Road
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20
Exit the roundabout onto Heritage Road
1356 ft · 27 sec · Heritage Road
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21
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Heritage Road
39 m · 3 sec · Heritage Road
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22
Exit the roundabout onto Heritage Road
707 ft · 16 sec · Heritage Road
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23
Turn slight right onto Heritage Road
809 ft · 20 sec · Heritage Road
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24
Turn left onto Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
2.3 mi · 4 min · Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
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25
Continue straight
7.5 mi · 11 min
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26
Continue straight
11.8 mi · 20 min
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27
Turn right onto University Avenue
1049 ft · 36 sec · University Avenue
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28
Continue on 17th Street
813 ft · 30 sec · 17th Street
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29
Turn right onto Athens Street
646 ft · 33 sec · Athens Street
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30
Turn left onto 19th Street
864 ft · 29 sec · 19th Street
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31
Turn left
27 m · 5 sec
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32
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Steamboat Springs and Boulder.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
I 70 East
Merge slight left
52.7 mi · 01h 04m
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 Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Steamboat Springs and Mostly Sunny near Boulder.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Steamboat Springs to Boulder?
The road trip is about 167.8 miles (270 km) and usually takes 03h 12m 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?
Silverthorne is a useful midpoint, sitting about 83.5 miles from Steamboat Springs and 84.4 miles from Boulder.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 88.5 miles (142.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 79.3 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 10:34 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.89 one way or $43.78 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 52.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers around Steamboat Springs and Mostly Sunny near Boulder.
Stop Ideas Near Silverthorne
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 Silverthorne.
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Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Steamboat Springs and Boulder. Straight-line distance: 88.5 mi (142.42 km).
#1 Steamboat Springs
County seat city in Routt County, Colorado, USA
| Population | 13,169 |
| Coordinates | 40.4849800, -106.8317200 |
| Altitude | 2052 |
| 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: 270 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 35m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 11m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 21m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 47m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 23m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 05m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $21.89 | $43.78 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $24.18 | $48.35 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $25.99 | $51.99 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $28.04 | $56.09 |
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 16, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.