How far is Sterling, CO from Boulder, CO?
The driving distance from Sterling, CO to Boulder, CO is about 141.7 miles (228 km), with a travel time of about 02h 04m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 116.6 miles (187.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 08m 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 04m.
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 Boulder.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sterling and Boulder.
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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
104.3 mi · 1 hr 44 min
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7
Take the exit slight right toward 136th Avenue
2055 ft · 36 sec
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8
Turn right onto East 136th Avenue
1240 ft · 32 sec · East 136th Avenue
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9
Turn left onto Buckley Road
2 mi · 4 min · Buckley Road
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10
Turn left onto East 120th Avenue
2578 ft · 1 min · East 120th Avenue
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11
Turn left onto E 470 Toll North
1885 ft · 48 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto E-470
12.6 mi · 13 min · E-470
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13
Continue on Northwest Parkway
8.3 mi · 9 min · Northwest Parkway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward US 36 West: Boulder
1651 ft · 42 sec
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15
Merge slight left onto Denver–Boulder Turnpike
1.4 mi · 2 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike
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16
Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike
2.4 mi · 3 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike
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17
Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike
2.2 mi · 3 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike
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18
Keep slight left to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike
2.3 mi · 3 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike
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19
Continue on 28th Street
1.2 km · 2 min · 28th Street
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20
Turn left onto Arapahoe Avenue
1 km · 2 min · Arapahoe Avenue
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21
Turn right onto 19th Street
44 m · 11 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 Sterling 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.
I 76 West
Merge slight left
104 mi · 01h 44m
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 Boulder.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Sterling to Boulder?
The road trip is about 141.7 miles (228 km) and usually takes 02h 04m 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 70.3 miles from Sterling and 71.4 miles from Boulder.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 116.6 miles (187.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 25.1 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 2:22 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $18.49 one way or $36.98 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 44.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Sterling and Sunny near Boulder.
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.
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Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Sterling and Boulder. Straight-line distance: 116.57 mi (187.6 km).
#1 Sterling
City in Colorado
| Population | 14,078 |
| Coordinates | 40.6255400, -103.2077100 |
| Altitude | 1200 |
| 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: 228 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 43m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 32m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 50m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 21m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 01m |
| 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 | $18.49 | $36.98 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $20.42 | $40.84 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $21.96 | $43.91 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $23.69 | $47.37 |
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.