Besides the more obvious financial reasons, Colorado’s move to the Big 12 makes sense from a travel perspective. Athletic director Rick George argued that point when discussing the university’s Pac-12 departure and he’s likely right.
Come 2024, gone are the trips to the Pacific Northwest and in comes an era of reasonable commutes to the Big 12’s more centrally located campuses. Yes, UCF is somewhat of an outlier here, but who doesn’t want a reason to visit Orlando?
Below are the estimated drive and flight times from Boulder (or from the Denver International Airport for fans who’d like to fly out) to each Big 12 city/town:
Cincinnati
Syndication: The Enquirer
Total Distance from Boulder to Cincinnati: 1,210 miles
Estimated Drive Time: 17.5 hours
Estimated Flight Time: 2.5 hours
Analysis: It’s probably worth taking a flight over driving here.
Houston
Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports
Total Distance from Boulder to Houston: 1,039 miles
Estimated Drive Time: 16 hours
Estimated Flight Time: 2 hours, 15 minutes
Analysis: I’d also recommend booking a flight.
BYU
James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
Total Distance from Boulder to Provo: 488 miles
Estimated Drive Time: 8 hours, 45 minutes
Estimated Flight Time (DIA to Salt Lake City International): 1 hour, 15 minutes
Analysis: If you’re up for driving through the Rocky Mountains, then this is the perfect trip for you.
UCF
Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports
Total Distance from Boulder to Orlando: 1,872 miles
Estimated Drive Time: 27 hours
Estimated Flight Time: 3.5 hours
Analysis: UCF is the furthest Big 12 school away from Boulder.
Kansas State
Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Total Distance from Boulder to Manhattan: 513 miles
Estimated Drive Time: 7.5 hours
Estimated Flight Time (DIA to Topeka Regional): 1.5 hours
Analysis: This drive can be done in a day, but it’s not a particularly exciting one.
Kansas
Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Total Distance from Boulder to Lawrence: 586 miles
Estimated Drive Time: 8.5 hours
Estimated Flight Time (DIA to Kansas City International): 1.5 hours
Analysis: Lawrence is not much further than Manhattan, so I’d also recommend saving money with the drive.
TCU
Raymond Carlin III-USA TODAY Sports
Total Distance from Boulder to Fort Worth: 783 miles
Estimated Drive Time: 12.5 hours
Estimated Flight Time: 1 hour, 45 minutes
Analysis: Colorado fans will make their first trip to Amon G. Carter Stadium this fall for the season opener.
Texas Tech
Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Total Distance from Boulder to Lubbock: 570 miles
Estimated Drive Time: 9 hours, 15 minutes
Estimated Flight Time: 1 hour, 15 minutes
Analysis: Leaving the day before and staying in a hotel might be the strategy here.
Baylor
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Total Distance from Boulder to Waco: 866 miles
Estimated Drive Time: 13.5 hours
Estimated Flight Time: 1 hour, 45 minutes
Analysis: Baylor’s McLane Stadium is worth making the trip to.
Oklahoma State
Syndication: The Oklahoman
Total Distance from Boulder to Stillwater: 664 miles
Estimated Drive Time: 9 hours, 45 minutes
Estimated Flight Time (DIA to Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City): 1.5 hours
Analysis: Assuming you’ll be flying into Oklahoma City, Stillwater is about an hour or so drive away.
West Virginia
Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
Total Distance from Boulder to Morgantown: 1,482 miles
Estimated Drive Time: 21.5 hours
Estimated Flight Time (DIA to Pittsburgh International): 3 hours
Analysis: Flying into nearby Pittsburgh might be your best option here.
Iowa State
Syndication: The Oklahoman
Total Distance from Boulder to Ames: 719 miles
Estimated Drive Time: 10 hours, 15 minutes
Estimated Flight Time (DIA to Des Moines International): 1 hour, 15 minutes
Analysis: Ames is another Big 12 town that may not be easy to find a direct flight to.
Arizona
Ivan Pierre Aguirre-USA TODAY Sports
Total Distance from Boulder to Tucson: 923 miles
Estimated Drive Time: 12.5 hours
Estimated Flight Time: 1.5 hours
Analysis: Colorado’s trips to the desert will continue.
Arizona State
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Total Distance from Boulder to Tempe: 882 miles
Estimated Drive Time: 12.5 hours
Estimated Flight Time: 1.5 hours
Analysis: Hopefully, the Buffs can get some late fall night games here to avoid the heat.
Utah
Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports
Total Distance from Boulder to Salt Lake City: 512 miles
Estimated Drive Time: 7.5 hours
Estimated Flight Time: 1 hour
Analysis: Per Apple Maps, driving up to Wyoming and then heading southwest to Utah was the quickest route.
