On January 4th, 2003 I measured (using my car odometer - not precise) the E470 route versus the best toll-free route. I drove at prevailing traffic speeds. Here's what I concluded:

From the Intersection of I-25 and Hwy. 7, the E470 route to USAirport Parking (using the 96th Ave. exit) was approximately 20.4 miles. Elapsed time was 18 minutes - I have an ExpressToll in my car, so you can add about two minutes to this time if you don't have an ExpressToll.

The Hwy. 7 to US85 to Bromley to 4th Avenue/Sable to 136th to Buckley to 120th to Tower route was about 22.5 miles. Elapsed time was 25 minutes.

E470 saved about two miles and 7 minutes - probably about 5 minutes if I'd stopped to pay tolls manually. However, traffic was very light (I'm probably the only person who in Colorado who thought investigating the exact mileage of E470 to DIA via various routes was an exciting Saturday night activity!), and the time savings are be significantly higher during peak traffic periods.

Another advantage of the E470 route for infrequent airport travelers is that it's simple and safe. You won't get lost. Just take E470 (huge signs, giant exit, can't miss it!) to 96th Ave (75 cents exact change), turn right on 96th, and left on Tower to USAirport Parking. For the DIA terminal, take E470 to Peña Boulevard Eastbound. As of this writing, there's very little traffic on E470 north of Peña, so it's a really pleasant drive. The toll-free routes to DIA from I-25 southbound tend to have a lot of turns, confusing elements, and/or the possibility for delays or heavy traffic (which is increasing frequent as this area has a lot of residential development).

I've been told by many Northern Colorado frequent fliers that E470 is simply the best route from I-25 southbound. They've experimented and timed, and tell me that they'd never go any other way, to the airport or from the airport, at any time of day.

The only time I would recommend not using E470 going to and from I-25 north of Denver is if you need gas, want to get a snack, etc. Currently, there are no services right off the Tollway between the airport and I-25 (There's a business opportunity! Only gas between here and there!). However, the toll-free routes will take you right by restaurants, convenience stores, gas stations, etc.

Click here for complete directions from Northern Colorado and Wyoming.

E-470 via I-76 From the North (I-76):

From the Intersection of 136th and I-76, on August 14, 2002, it took me 13 minutes and 11.3 miles to reach USAirport Parking via E470, using the 96th Avenue exit. This route costs 75 cents, and would take about 30 seconds longer without an ExpressToll pass. In contrast, the toll free route, using the 136th Ave. to Buckley to 120th to Tower Road route, took about 12 minutes and was about 8.3 miles.

The route back to I-76 via E470 was faster (via the 96th Avenue on-ramp), than the toll-free route, taking only about ten minutes and 9.3 miles.

Why is this true? The exit for I-76 from E470 northbound is well before the highway reaches I-76, and, therefore, you don't go too far to the west. In contrast, driving further west a mile or two to the large cloverleaf-style loop for the entrance to E470 from I-76 takes the traveler far further west of the airport, compared with the 136th Avenue exit. Therefore, the 136th Avenue exit route is much shorter than E-470 on the way to the airport, whereas E-470 is slightly faster on the way back to I-76 eastbound.

Going back to I-76 eastbound, the time savings is about two minutes (assuming no traffic delays), and it costs one ramp fee.

It's worth noting that with really rapid residential development in the area around Tower Road (the 12,000 home Reunion development being the largest), traffic delays at rush hour are becoming more common, and the relative time advantage of E470 is increasing.

If you aren't parking with USAirport Parking, and want to go to the terminal via E470 from I-76 westbound, the time savings are a little greater, since you are on the tollway longer - I'd guess you'd save about 4 minutes with light traffic on E470 from I-76 to Peña Boulevard, for the full charge at the toll plaza just south of 96th Avenue. The time savings would be greater if traffic was heavy.

The old I-76 to Sable to 120th route is considerably less efficient than either of the routes described above, wasting more time and distance by traveling further west of the airport, at about 11 miles and 15 minutes from the intersection of 136th and I-76. Although it was once the best route to the airport, the completion of E470 and the Buckley bridge over E470 mean that the Sable/120th Ave. route is an outdated and inefficient way to get to the airport from I-76.

Click here for complete directions from Northeastern Colorado and Nebraska

E-470 from Highway 85:

From the Intersection of Bromley and US 85 on August 14, 2002, it took me 15.5 miles and 17 minutes to reach USAirport Parking from the intersection of Bromely and US85 in Brighton via E470 using the 96th Avenue exit. Add another minute or two if you don't have ExpressToll. It will cost tolls each way.

In contrast, the toll-free route taking Bromley to 4th Avenue/Sable to 120th to Tower is a little under 12 miles, and took about 18 minutes.

From my one-time experiment, E470 wasn't particularly faster (US85 takes you west, away from the airport, south of Bromley, and the huge cloverleaf loop to the west to get on E470 from US85 tend to offset the higher speeds on the Tollway). However, heavier traffic might make it beneficial to use E470 - my experiment was conducted during light traffic. The E470 route involves slightly less complex and better signed navigation.

Taking Highway 85 all the way south to 104th is longer and slower than either of the routes described above.

Click here for complete directions from Greeley and the Hwy 85 corridor.

E470 from 104th Avenue: