How far is Westminster, CO from Rifle, CO?

The driving distance from Westminster, CO to Rifle, CO is about 185.4 miles (298.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 33m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 147.5 miles (237.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 07m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
185.34 mi
03h 33m
Flight
147.48 mi
237.35 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Westminster.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
147.48 mi
Kilometers
237.35 km
Flight Time
00h 17m

Driving Distance

Road route
185.34 mi
Kilometers
298.28 km
Drive Time
03h 33m

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 33m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Rifle
Mon, May 25, 7:02 AM MDT
Return by in Westminster
Mon, May 25, 10:35 AM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Westminster
2026-05-25T03:28
Arrive Rifle
Mon, May 25, 7:02 AM MDT
Route Timing
03h 33m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:34 AM to 11:34 AM MDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
9:52 AM MDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Westminster
9:00 PM MDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Vail
CO

Home Rule Municipality in Eagle County, Colorado, United States

From Westminster
92.5 mi
01h 46m
To Rifle
92.8 mi
01h 46m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
83°F
Memorial Day

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Mon, May 25 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
0 to 8 mph SSE
Destination
81°F
Memorial Day

Mostly Sunny then Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Mon, May 25 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
0 to 10 mph SE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Westminster and Rifle.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Westminster and Rifle.

  1. 1

    Start on Newton Street

    768 ft · 36 sec · Newton Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto West 76th Avenue

    1.4 km · 2 min · West 76th Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Sheridan Boulevard

    2.5 mi · 4 min · Sheridan Boulevard

  4. 4

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 76 West

    1712 ft · 44 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto Heartland Expressway

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Heartland Expressway

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    179.1 mi · 3 hr 22 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward CO 13 North: Rifle, Meeker

    1067 ft · 27 sec

  8. 8

    Turn right

    2556 ft · 1 min

  9. 9

    Continue on Railroad Avenue

    1824 ft · 48 sec · Railroad Avenue

  10. 10

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Railroad Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Westminster and Rifle.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
10 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
5.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Heartland Expressway
180 mi · 97%
Sheridan Boulevard
2.55 mi · 1%
West 76th Avenue
0.84 mi
Railroad Avenue
0.35 mi
I 76 West
0.32 mi
CO 13 North
0.2 mi
Longest Stretch

Heartland Expressway

Merge slight left

179 mi · 03h 22m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 33m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 08m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+37.9 mi
147.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Vail
01h 46m from Westminster
Leave By
9:52 AM MDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Westminster and Mostly Sunny then Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms near Rifle.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Westminster to Rifle?

The road trip is about 185.4 miles (298.3 km) and usually takes 03h 33m 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?

Vail is a useful midpoint, sitting about 92.5 miles from Westminster and 92.8 miles from Rifle.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 147.5 miles (237.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 37.9 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:52 AM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.18 one way or $48.37 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 58.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Westminster and Mostly Sunny then Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms near Rifle.

Stop Ideas Near Vail

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Vail, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Vail.

BUS

Vail, Colorado

3 mi away
241 South Frontage Road East
BUS

Frisco, Colorado

25 mi away
1010 Meadow Drive
BUS

Fairplay, CO

57 mi away
620 US Highway 285
RAIL

Fraser – Winter Park

59 mi away
205 Fraser Avenue

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Westminster and Rifle. Straight-line distance: 147.48 mi (237.35 km).

Westminster

#1 Westminster

The most populous city in Adams County, Colorado.

Population115,046
Coordinates39.8366500, -105.0372000
Altitude1641
CountryUnited States
Rifle

#2 Rifle

City in Colorado

Population9,775
Coordinates39.5347000, -107.7831200
Altitude1630
CountryUnited States
Start: Westminster (-105.0372, 39.83665)
End: Rifle (-107.78312, 39.5347)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 298 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 10m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 38m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 42m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 05m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 38m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 18m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.54 gal
24.76 L · about $24.18
Round trip
$48.37
13.08 gal · 49.52 L
Estimated CO2
58.1 kg one way
Round trip: 116.2 kg / 256 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.70 $24.18 $48.37
Mid-grade $4.08 $26.71 $53.42
Premium $4.39 $28.72 $57.43
Diesel $4.74 $30.98 $61.96

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 · May 25, 2026

There is no time difference between Westminster and Rifle. The current time is 03:28:17.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.