Salt Lake City to Denver Fuel Cost
Driving distance and fuel cost for a trip from Salt Lake City, UT to Denver, CO: 518.7 miles (834.8 km) one way. Use the calculator below with your own vehicle and fuel price.
Calculator Parameters
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Your Calculation Results
Average Consumption (5.5 - 8.5 L/100km)- Total Fuel Needed (for this trip)
- 17.29 US gallons (65.4 liters total)
- Total Fuel Cost (for this trip)
- $25.94
- Cost breakdown per distance unit
- $0.050 per mile • $0.031 per km
Fuel economy in every unit
- L/100km
- 7.8
- MPG US
- 30.0
- MPG UK
- 36.0
- km/L
- 12.8
Cost by vehicle type
One way trip cost at $1.50 per US gallon (placeholder price), using one representative vehicle from each category in the 30 vehicle dataset tracked on this site.
| Category | Vehicle | Combined | Fuel needed | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | Hyundai Elantra | 34 MPG | 15.3 US gallons | $22.88 |
| Midsize Sedan | Nissan Altima | 31 MPG | 16.7 US gallons | $25.10 |
| Compact SUV | Toyota RAV4 | 30 MPG | 17.3 US gallons | $25.94 |
| Midsize SUV | Chevrolet Traverse | 23 MPG | 22.6 US gallons | $33.83 |
| Truck | Ford F-150 | 21 MPG | 24.7 US gallons | $37.05 |
| Hybrid | Honda CR-V Hybrid | 40 MPG | 13.0 US gallons | $19.45 |
| Electric | Tesla Model Y | 120 MPGe | 4.3 US gallons | $6.48 |
About this route & highway corridor
At 518.7 miles (834.8 km) and approximately 9.0 hours of continuous driving via Interstate 70 West through the Colorado Rockies, connecting to US-6 West and I-15 North (or I-80 via Wyoming), Salt Lake City to Denver represents an easy single-day journey or weekend road trip. Because driving takes place predominantly at sustained highway speeds, overall fuel consumption tracks closer to your vehicle's official highway EPA rating.
Traveling eastbound from Salt Lake City into Colorado, prepare for continuous climbs across the continental divide. Check winter weather traction laws (Colorado Chain Law) before departing. This route traverses Major mountain driving including Eisenhower Tunnel (11,158 ft elevation), Vail Pass, Glenwood Canyon, and Soldier Summit in Utah.. Toll considerations: Toll-free on standard interstate highways.
This trip crosses state lines from UT into CO. Fuel taxes and wholesale supply costs can shift pump prices by 40 to 80 cents per gallon between states. Comparing regional fuel price benchmarks before departure allows you to plan your major fill-ups where prices are lowest. Fuel up in Grand Junction, CO or Green River, UT; avoid small ski resort towns along I-70 where gas commands a heavy markup.
Covering 519 miles, most passenger vehicles will require approximately 1 fuel stop, assuming a standard 300 to 400 mile driving range between fill-ups. Trucks towing trailers or vehicles with smaller fuel tanks may require additional stops.
Plan on roughly 1 to 2 rest or refueling stops along the Salt Lake City to Denver drive. To maximize fuel economy, maintain steady speeds between 65 and 70 mph; aerodynamic drag causes fuel consumption to increase by roughly 10% for every 5 mph driven over 65 mph.
Distance and driving time source: OpenStreetMap Nominatim geocoding and OSRM driving routing. Last updated July 24, 2026.
Gas Prices & Fuel Planning for Salt Lake City to Denver
Fuel prices vary along this driving corridor. Check current average fuel benchmarks at both ends of your trip to plan the most economical fill-ups:
Specialized Fuel Calculators for This Trip
Reverse route
Denver to Salt Lake City Trip CostNearby routes
Frequently asked questions
The standard highway driving route from Salt Lake City to Denver covers 518.7 miles (834.8 km) and takes approximately 9.0 hours in typical traffic conditions, traveling primarily via Interstate 70 West through the Colorado Rockies, connecting to US-6 West and I-15 North (or I-80 via Wyoming).
Divide the trip distance of 518.7 miles by your car's combined MPG rating to find the gallons of fuel required, then multiply by the average pump price along your route. For example, a 30 MPG vehicle will burn roughly 17.3 gallons of fuel.
Toll-free on standard interstate highways. Terrain notes: Major mountain driving including Eisenhower Tunnel (11,158 ft elevation), Vail Pass, Glenwood Canyon, and Soldier Summit in Utah..
Fuel up in Grand Junction, CO or Green River, UT; avoid small ski resort towns along I-70 where gas commands a heavy markup.
Covering 519 miles, most passenger vehicles will require approximately 1 fuel stop, assuming a standard 300 to 400 mile driving range between fill-ups. Trucks towing trailers or vehicles with smaller fuel tanks may require additional stops.
The physical road distance is identical in both directions. However, fuel costs may vary depending on where you purchase gas, as state fuel tax rates and prevailing winds (such as headwinds when driving west) can slightly influence consumption and spending.