Hey there! So you’re looking to get from the beautiful mountains of Estes Park down to Rocky Mountain Airport, (BJC). It’s a common trip, but it’s defnitely not as simple as grabbing a big shuttle like you would for DIA. BJC is a totally different kinda airport, mostly for private and corporate flights.
Planning this ride from Estes to BJC can be a little tricky. We’re here to break down all the ways to do it so you can find the best fit.
Just so you know: This page is only about going from Estes Park to BJC. If you need to go the other way (BJC to Estes), we’ve got a whole separate page for that!
Route Basics: Estes Park to BJC
- Distance: It’s about 45-50 miles, give or take.
- Average Travel Time: You gotta budget at least 1 hour and 15 minutes. If you hit traffic on US-36 (especially during rush hour near Boulder/Broomfield), it could easily stretch to 1 hour 45 minutes. Better to be safe.
How to Get from Estes Park to Rocky Mountain Airport
This isn’t a route with a ton of options, but here’s the breakdown. The main thing to know is that there are no major shared shuttles or buses that run this route directly. Almost all shuttles in Estes Park are set up for DIA, not BJC.
Transportation Options at a Glance
| Transport Mode | Est. Cost (One-Way) | Est. Time | Convenience |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private Car (like Estes Direct) | $175 - $260 | ~1.25 hrs | High (Scheduled, reliable) |
| Uber / Lyft | $110 - $190+ | ~1.25 hrs | Medium (Risky availability) |
| Shuttle + Rideshare | $80 - $120 | ~2-3 hrs | Low (Requires transfer) |
| Bus | Not Recommended | 3.5+ hrs | Very Low (Multiple transfers) |
A Deeper Look at Your Travel Options
1. Private Car Service (The “No-Headache” Option)
This is, frankly, the most reliable and stress-free way to make this trip.
- How it works: You book your ride in advance (like with us, Estes Direct!). A professional driver meets you at your hotel, cabin, or rental in Estes Park at the exact time you pick. They’ll help with your bags and drive you directly to your FBO (private terminal) or the main terminal at BJC.
- Operators: Estes Direct, and other local livery services.
- Pricing: It’s a premium service, so it costs more. Expect pricing to be in the $175 - $260 range for a private sedan or SUV.
- Why it’s the best: You get door-to-door service on your schedule. You dont have to worry about surge pricing or, worse, not finding a driver at all. When you have a flight to catch, reliability is everything.
2. Uber / Lyft (The “Gamble” Option)
You can use a rideshare app, but it’s a bit of a gamble.
- How it works: You open your app and hope a driver in or near Estes Park accepts the ride.
- Operators: Uber and Lyft.
- Pricing: This is totally dependant on demand. A base fare might look like $110 - $130. But if it’s a busy time, or if there aren’t many drivers, that can easily surge to $190 or more.
- The big problem: Availability. Many drivers in Estes Park don’t want to take a long one-way trip to BJC, because they’ll likely have to drive all the way back empty. It’s common to have your ride request time out or get canceled. We don’t recommend this if you’re on a tight schedule for a flight.
3. Shared Shuttle + Uber/Lyft (The “DIY” Option)
This is the cheapest way, but it takes work and time. Remember: no shared shuttles go directly to BJC.
- How it works:
- You book a ride on a shuttle service (like Estes Park Shuttle) from Estes Park to Boulder. (They have limited service to Boulder, their main route is DIA). This will cost around $65.
- They drop you off at their stop in Boulder.
- From there, you have to call an Uber or Lyft to take you the rest of the way to BJC (about a 20-30 min ride). This will probly cost another $25 - $50.
- Total Time: You’re at the mercy of the shuttle’s schedule, plus the time to wait for your Uber. This could take 2-3 hours all in. Not great.
4. Bus (The “Don’t Do It” Option)
We’re just gonna say it: don’t do this. There is no direct bus. You would have to take the CDOT Bustang from Estes to Boulder, then figure out the local RTD bus system to get to Broomfield, and then still probably get a short taxi to the airport. It would take half your day.
Popular Reasons to Travel from Estes to BJC
Most people taking this specific route are:
- Flying on a private or corporate jet out of BJC.
- Taking a charter flight for a ski trip or business.
- Pilots or flight crew who live in Estes Park and are commuting to work at BJC.
- Attending a business meeting in the Broomfield/Interlocken business park area.
All About the Airports
Your Starting Point: Estes Park
Estes Park itself doesn’t have a commercial airport. The closest major airport is Denver International Airport (DEN), which is about 75 miles away. But you’re not going there!
Your Destination: Rocky Mountain Airport (BJC)
This is what you need to know about your destination.
- Airport Code: BJC (or KBJC for pilots)
- What It Is: BJC is one of the busiest general aviation airports in the country. You wont see Southwest or United here. This airport is for corporate jets, private planes, flight schools, and charter services.
- History: It used to be called the Jefferson County Airport (or “Jeffco”) for decades. It was renamed in 2006 to reflect its regional importance.
- Runways: BJC has three runways. The two main ones are 12L/30R (9,000 ft) and 12R/30L (7,002 ft), which can handle just about any corporate jet. It also has a smaller crosswind runway. The airport is well-known to pilots for being very windy, especially in the winter and spring.
What’s in the Area? (Broomfield & BJC)
Once you get to BJC, you’re in the city of Broomfield. If you arrive early and have time to kill, here’s what’s nearby.
- Typical Weather: Broomfield is on the Front Range, so it’s much milder than Estes. In fall, expect highs in the 60s/70s and lows in the 40s. Winters are cold and can be snowy, with highs in the 40s. As mentioned, the whole area can get very windy.
- Cool Things to Do:
- FlatIron Crossing: A huge shopping mall with tons of stores and restaurants, just a 5-minute drive away.
- 1STBANK Center: A major event center that hosts concerts and shows. Check their schedule.
- Broomfield 9/11 Memorial: A moving memorial that includes a 2,500-pound artifact from the World Trade Center.
- Trails: The Broomfield Commons is a huge open space with miles of walking trails.
- Car Rental Options:
- Yes, you can get rental cars at BJC, but they are typically located at the FBOs (Fixed-Base Operators) or in the main terminal.
- You’ll find Hertz, Enterprise/National, and Go Rentals on-site. It’s always best to book your car in advance so they have it ready for you.
- Events in Broomfield: Besides concerts at the 1STBANK Center, the main city-wide event is Broomfield Days in the fall, a big community festival.