How far is Sterling, CO from Aurora, CO?
The driving distance from Sterling, CO to Aurora, CO is about 128.2 miles (206.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 51m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 105.8 miles (170.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 43m 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 01h 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, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Sterling and Aurora.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sterling and Aurora.
-
1
Start on the route
73 m · 23 sec
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2
Turn left onto North 3rd Street
84 m · 11 sec · North 3rd Street
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3
Turn right onto East Chestnut Street
1.4 mi · 3 min · East Chestnut Street
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4
Continue on US Highway 6
1246 ft · 24 sec · US Highway 6
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5
Take the ramp slight right toward I 76 West
1715 ft · 43 sec
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6
Merge slight left
105.8 mi · 1 hr 46 min
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7
Take the exit slight right toward E470 Toll South: Limon
1.6 km · 2 min
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8
Merge slight left onto E-470
6.9 mi · 7 min · E-470
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9
Take the exit slight right toward Denver International Airport, Pena Boulevard
1099 ft · 17 sec
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10
Keep slight right to continue on Peña Boulevard West
1.2 km · 1 min
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11
Merge slight left onto Peña Boulevard
6.6 mi · 8 min · Peña Boulevard
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12
Merge slight left onto Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway
546 ft · 8 sec · Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward I 225 South: Aurora, Colorado Springs, Peoria Street
1915 ft · 36 sec
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14
Keep slight left to continue on I 225 South: Aurora, Colorado Springs
1.3 mi · 2 min
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15
Continue straight
2.2 mi · 3 min
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16
Take the exit slight right toward CO 30: 6th Avenue
1772 ft · 40 sec
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17
Turn right onto East 6th Avenue
1504 ft · 31 sec · East 6th Avenue
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18
Turn right onto Vaughn Street
78 m · 13 sec · Vaughn Street
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19
Turn right onto North Zion Street
155 m · 28 sec · North Zion Street
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20
Turn left onto North Vaughn Street
990 ft · 43 sec · North Vaughn Street
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Vaughn Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Sterling 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.
I 76 West
Merge slight left
106 mi · 01h 46m
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 Sterling and Sunny near Aurora.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Sterling to Aurora?
The road trip is about 128.2 miles (206.3 km) and usually takes 01h 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?
Wiggins is a useful midpoint, sitting about 64.1 miles from Sterling and 64.2 miles from Aurora.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 105.8 miles (170.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 22.4 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 2:46 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.75 one way or $33.50 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 40.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Sterling and Sunny near Aurora.
Stop Ideas Near Wiggins
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 Wiggins.
Fort Morgan
Longmont, Colorado
Fort Collins, Colorado
Denver (Bus Station), Colorado
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Sterling and Aurora. Straight-line distance: 105.76 mi (170.2 km).
#1 Sterling
City in Colorado
| Population | 14,078 |
| Coordinates | 40.6255400, -103.2077100 |
| Altitude | 1200 |
| 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: 206 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 16m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 12m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 33m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 08m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 49m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 35m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $16.75 | $33.50 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $18.50 | $37.00 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $19.89 | $39.78 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $21.46 | $42.92 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.