How far is Sterling, CO from Denver, CO?
The driving distance from Sterling, CO to Denver, CO is about 126.9 miles (204.2 km), with a travel time of about 01h 54m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 112 miles (180.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 48m 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 54m.
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 Denver.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sterling and Denver.
-
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
-
3
Turn right onto East Chestnut Street
1.4 mi · 3 min · East Chestnut Street
-
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
118.4 mi · 2 hr
-
7
Take the exit slight right toward I 25 South: Denver
612 ft · 13 sec
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8
Continue on I 25 south: Denver
1.5 km · 2 min
-
9
Merge slight left onto North Valley Highway
2.3 mi · 3 min · North Valley Highway
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward 38th Avenue, Park Avenue, Downtown
1348 ft · 29 sec
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11
Keep slight left to continue on Park Avenue, Downtown
528 ft · 11 sec
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12
Continue on Park Avenue
3279 ft · 1 min · Park Avenue
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13
Turn straight onto Park Avenue West
2615 ft · 1 min · Park Avenue West
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14
Continue on West 22nd Street
2095 ft · 1 min · West 22nd Street
-
15
Turn right onto North Broadway
1.6 km · 3 min · North Broadway
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16
Turn left onto East 14th Avenue
709 ft · 30 sec · East 14th Avenue
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17
Turn left
109 m · 28 sec
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Sterling 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.
I 76 West
Merge slight left
118 mi · 02h 00m
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 Denver.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Sterling to Denver?
The road trip is about 126.9 miles (204.2 km) and usually takes 01h 54m 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 63.4 miles from Sterling and 63.5 miles from Denver.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 112 miles (180.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.9 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 2:42 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.57 one way or $33.13 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 39.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Sterling and Sunny near Denver.
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 Denver. Straight-line distance: 112.02 mi (180.28 km).
#1 Sterling
City in Colorado
| Population | 14,078 |
| Coordinates | 40.6255400, -103.2077100 |
| Altitude | 1200 |
| 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: 204 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 13m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 10m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 32m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 06m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 48m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 34m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $16.57 | $33.13 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $18.30 | $36.59 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $19.67 | $39.34 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $21.22 | $42.44 |
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 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.