🗺️CityToCityDistance

Salt Lake City to Denver Distance

520 miles•837 km•8.1 hours

Driving distance and route information from Salt Lake City, United Statesto Denver, United States. Compare multiple routes and get detailed travel information.

⭐

FASTEST ROUTE

520.27 mi
(837.29 km)
⏱️8h 8m
Via I-80 → US-287 → CR-72 → CR-70
I-80 → US-287
🔄

ALTERNATIVE ROUTE

525.79 mi
(846.18 km)
⏱️8h 20m
Via I-15 → I-80 → I-70 → US-40
I-15 → I-80
📏 Straight-line distance: 370 miles (596 km)
See crow flies distance →
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Complete Driving Guide: Salt Lake City to Denver

Essential Route Information

TOTAL DISTANCE
520 mi
837 kilometers
DRIVING TIME
8.1 hours
486 minutes
FUEL ESTIMATE
70 L
$105 cost

📍 Route Overview

Starting PointSalt Lake City, Utah
DestinationDenver, Colorado
Route Options2 available routes
Countries Crossed1 country
Time Zone ChangesCheck local times

🚗 Driving Details

Average Speed103 km/h
Straight-line Distance596 km
Route Efficiency71%
Toll RoadsNo tolls expected
Ferry CrossingsNo ferries

Compare All Routes from Salt Lake City to Denver

Route TypeDistanceDrive TimeAvg SpeedTolls
⭐ Fastest Route520 mi (837 km)8.1 hours103 km/h❌ No
Alternative 1526 mi (846 km)8.3 hours101 km/h❌ No

Complete Journey Overview: Salt Lake City to Denver

The road journey from Salt Lake City to Denver spans approximately 520 miles (837 kilometers), making it a long-distance drive that typically requires 8.1 hours of continuous driving under normal traffic conditions.

This route connects Utah, United States with Colorado, United States, traversing through various regions within United States. The journey offers 2 distinct routing options, each with unique advantages in terms of distance, time, or scenic value.

The fastest driving route from Salt Lake City to Denver follows the I-80 → US-287 → CR-72 → CR-70 corridor, maintaining an average speed of approximately 103 km/h. This corridor avoids toll roads, keeping out-of-pocket cost limited to fuel and incidentals.

🗺️ Travel Planning Essentials

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Fuel Planning: Expect to use approximately 21 gallons (70 liters) of fuel for this 520 mile journey. Plan fuel stops every 250-300 miles.
✓
Rest Stops: For safety, plan a 15-minute break every 2 hours of driving. Total journey with breaks: 9.3 hours.
✓
Best Travel Times: Avoid peak traffic hours (7-9 AM and 5-7 PM) in major cities along your route for optimal travel time.
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Weather Check: Monitor weather conditions along the entire route, especially during winter months or rainy seasons.

💰 Cost Estimation Guide

Fuel Cost (approximate)$73
Toll Costs$0
Vehicle Wear & Tear (total, ~$0.25/mi)$130
Total Trip Cost$203

* Costs are estimates based on average fuel prices and vehicle maintenance. Actual costs may vary.

Alternative Transportation Options

🚗

By Car

8.1 hours

520 miles

✈️

By Plane

0.7 hours flight

596 km direct

🚌

By Bus

10.5 hours

Multiple stops

More routes from Salt Lake City

View all distances from Salt Lake City →

More routes from Denver

View all distances from Denver →

Salt Lake City to Denver - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the driving distance from Salt Lake City to Denver?
The driving distance from Salt Lake City to Denver is 520 miles (837 km) by the fastest route, which follows I-80 → US-287 → CR-72 → CR-70. The straight-line ("as the crow flies") distance is 596 km — driving distances are typically 20-40% longer than straight-line because roads must navigate around terrain and built environment.
How long does it take to drive from Salt Lake City to Denver?
The drive from Salt Lake City to Denver takes approximately 8h 8m of continuous driving at an average speed of 103 km/h. With a 15-minute rest stop every two hours, plan on roughly 9.3 hours of total trip time. Add additional time for traffic, weather, or border crossings.
What is the fastest route from Salt Lake City to Denver?
The fastest driving route from Salt Lake City to Denver is 520 miles (837 km) via I-80 → US-287 → CR-72 → CR-70, taking about 8h 8m. This corridor follows the major highway connection between the two cities and is optimized for travel time.
Are there alternative routes from Salt Lake City to Denver?
Yes, 2 routing options exist between Salt Lake City and Denver. Alternatives have similar total distance but use different road segments — useful if the primary corridor has heavy traffic or construction.
Does the route from Salt Lake City to Denver include tolls?
No, the fastest driving route from Salt Lake City to Denver stays on toll-free public roads. Alternative routes may use different segments — check each route's summary above.
How much fuel does it take to drive from Salt Lake City to Denver?
A standard car at 30 mpg uses approximately 17 gallons (70 liters) of fuel for the 520-mile (837-km) drive from Salt Lake City to Denver. At $3.50 per gallon that is roughly $60 in fuel cost; less efficient vehicles or higher local fuel prices will increase this proportionally.
How do I navigate from Salt Lake City to Denver?
Use the "Open this route in your nav app" buttons above the journey guide to launch turn-by-turn directions in Google Maps, Apple Maps, or Waze. Each link pre-fills Salt Lake City as the origin and Denver as the destination, so navigation begins as soon as the app opens.