The Drive from Brighton to Lakewood: Fastest vs. Slowest Routes

If you're planning a road trip from Brighton, Colorado to Lakewood, Colorado, congratulations! These two cities are only about an hour's drive apart from each other. However, depending on the route you choose, the time it takes to get there can vary significantly. Here are some of the fastest and slowest routes you can take to get from Brighton to Lakewood, along with the distance, driving time, and traffic patterns.

Fastest Route: via US-85 S

The fastest way to get from Brighton to Lakewood is by taking US-85 S. The distance between the two cities is approximately 24 miles, which should take you around 30 minutes to drive. This route is relatively straightforward, and you'll mostly be driving on highways. Even during rush hour, the traffic on this route is manageable, and you should be able to maintain a steady speed of around 65 mph.

Slowest Route: via I-25 S and US-6 W

If you're not in a rush and want to take a more scenic route, you can take I-25 S and US-6 W to get from Brighton to Lakewood. While this route is about the same distance as the fastest route, the time it takes to get there is significantly longer, around 45 minutes to an hour. This is because you'll be driving through downtown Denver, which can be congested during rush hour. However, taking this route allows you to see some of Denver's iconic landmarks, such as the Colorado State Capitol and the Broncos stadium.

Traffic Patterns

When planning your trip, it's important to consider the traffic patterns during peak hours. If you're traveling during rush hour, plan for additional travel time. For example, if you're taking the US-85 S route during peak hour, expect to add around 10-15 minutes to your travel time. However, if you're taking the slower route through downtown Denver, expect to add around 30-45 minutes to your travel time.

Low Traffic Times

If you're looking to avoid traffic and want to reach Lakewood as fast as possible, we recommend taking the US-85 S route during non-peak hours. For example, if you leave Brighton early in the morning or late at night, you should be able to make the same trip in around 25 minutes.

Conclusion

In summary, the time it takes to drive from Brighton to Lakewood depends on the route you choose and the time of day you're traveling. If you're in a rush and want to get there as fast as possible, take the US-85 S route. If you have some extra time and want to see some of Denver's sights, take the slower route through downtown Denver. No matter which route you choose, plan accordingly to avoid rush hour traffic and get to Lakewood stress-free.