How far is Vail, CO from Boulder, CO?
The driving distance from Vail, CO to Boulder, CO is about 108.7 miles (175 km), with a travel time of about 02h 02m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 64 miles (103 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 05m 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 02m.
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.
Statutory Town in Clear Creek County, Colorado, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny then Chance Snow Showers
Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Vail and Boulder.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Vail and Boulder.
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1
Start on Wall Street
46 m · 12 sec · Wall Street
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2
Turn left onto Gore Creek Drive
122 m · 18 sec · Gore Creek Drive
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3
Turn slight right onto Willow Bridge Road
146 m · 23 sec · Willow Bridge Road
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4
Turn right onto East Meadow Drive
97 m · 17 sec · East Meadow Drive
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5
Turn left onto Village Center Drive
85 m · 20 sec · Village Center Drive
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6
At the end of the road, turn left onto South Frontage Road East
700 ft · 24 sec · South Frontage Road East
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7
Take the ramp slight right
1391 ft · 34 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Gerald R. Ford Memorial Highway
82.5 mi · 1 hr 39 min · Gerald R. Ford Memorial Highway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward US 40, I 70 Business East, CH 93: Golden, Morrison
1173 ft · 24 sec
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10
Turn left onto Hogback Road
1123 ft · 35 sec · Hogback Road
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11
Continue on Lariat Loop Scenic Byway
1.1 mi · 2 min · Lariat Loop Scenic Byway
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12
Turn left onto Heritage Road
1415 ft · 29 sec · Heritage Road
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13
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Heritage Road
32 m · 2 sec · Heritage Road
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14
Exit the roundabout onto Heritage Road
149 m · 10 sec · Heritage Road
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15
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Heritage Road
15 m · 1 sec · Heritage Road
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16
Exit the roundabout onto Heritage Road
1356 ft · 27 sec · Heritage Road
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17
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Heritage Road
39 m · 3 sec · Heritage Road
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18
Exit the roundabout onto Heritage Road
707 ft · 16 sec · Heritage Road
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19
Turn slight right onto Heritage Road
809 ft · 20 sec · Heritage Road
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20
Turn left onto Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
2.3 mi · 4 min · Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
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21
Continue straight
7.5 mi · 11 min
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22
Continue straight
11.8 mi · 20 min
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23
Turn right onto University Avenue
1049 ft · 36 sec · University Avenue
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24
Continue on 17th Street
813 ft · 30 sec · 17th Street
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25
Turn right onto Athens Street
646 ft · 33 sec · Athens Street
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26
Turn left onto 19th Street
864 ft · 29 sec · 19th Street
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27
Turn left
27 m · 5 sec
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Vail 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.
Gerald R. Ford Memorial Highway
Merge slight left onto Gerald R. Ford Memorial Highway
82.5 mi · 01h 39m
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.
Partly Sunny then Chance Snow Showers leaving Vail and Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Boulder.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Vail to Boulder?
The road trip is about 108.7 miles (175 km) and usually takes 02h 02m 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?
Empire is a useful midpoint, sitting about 53.9 miles from Vail and 54.8 miles from Boulder.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 64 miles (103 km), while the road route adds roughly 44.7 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 2:24 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.20 one way or $28.40 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 34.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Chance Snow Showers around Vail and Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Boulder.
Stop Ideas Near Empire
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 Empire.
Fraser – Winter Park
Frisco, Colorado
Pine Junction, CO
Granby
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Vail and Boulder. Straight-line distance: 64.03 mi (103.05 km).
#1 Vail
Home Rule Municipality in Eagle County, Colorado, United States
| Population | 5,489 |
| Coordinates | 39.6402600, -106.3742000 |
| Altitude | 2496 |
| 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: 175 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 37m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 43m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 10m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 48m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 33m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 21m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $14.20 | $28.40 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $15.68 | $31.37 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $16.86 | $33.72 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $18.19 | $36.38 |
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 21, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.