Whether you already live in Denver and want more space or you’re relocating closer to Denver’s mountain magic, you’ll have a boatful of towns to choose from. 

The Mile High City has a lot to offer, from condos near cozy downtowns to luxury homes with mountain views. But you may not know the potential places that offer an easy commute into Denver if you're new to Colorado or have been living in the city. 

To help you learn about the best routes, short commute times, Denver suburbs, and what each town can offer, the team at Prevu Real Estate has created a guide to towns with easy commutes to Denver.  

Towns with easy commutes to Denver

• Lakewood

• Englewood

• Louisville

• Thornton

• Northglenn

• Longmont

• Evergreen

Lakewood

West of Denver, you'll find Lakewood; a thriving city with abundant shopping options, open space, and breweries. 

Commuting to Denver can take between 15 to 25 minutes utilizing multiple routes including Route 6, West Colfax Avenue, or the other smaller streets in between. You can also ride the Regional Transportation District (RTD) W Line from the north side of Lakewood to avoid traffic. 

Residents will have easy access to plenty of shopping options scattered throughout Lakewood. South Wadsworth Boulevard and West Alameda Avenue offer a selection of convenient spots such as Best Buy and Chick Fil A, while the Colorado Mills Mall is where you'll find the Nike Factory Store and Target. 

But shopping isn't the only thing to do in Lakewood, as the town claims two huge parks. Bear Creek Lake Park is over 2,600 acres and offers camping, fishing, and mountain biking. Directly south, adventurers can explore William Frederick Hayden Park, which boasts over 2,400 acres of open space and the 6,800 ft. Green Mountain. 

Once you've finished enjoying the outdoors, you can try the locally-made beer at one of Lakewood's breweries. While choosing favorites is hard, Green Mountain Beer Company and Great Frontier Brewing Company are popular spots.  

Englewood

The commute from Englewood should take around 25 minutes during the busiest parts of the day. However, the commute can be faster when it’s not rush hour as Englewood is only 6 miles south of downtown Denver. You can travel on South Broadway or Interstate 25, depending on which has less traffic. Or, if you prefer to relax on your commute, you can ride the RTD light rail using the D line from Englewood Station. 

Near the intersection of Interstates 285 and 85, residents can satisfy their shopping needs at big-box stores like Costco, Walmart, and Harbor Freight. Folks may also take a quick trip into Greenwood Village to explore the Denver Tech Center. 

Englewood also offers a charming downtown area where Englewood Parkway and South Broadway meet. Local restaurants like Breakfast Queen, Mango Tree Coffee, and Brewability are just a few favorites in town. 

Englewood boasts impressive entertainment options for a small town. For starters, the Gothic Theater on South Broadway hosts world-class musicians from multiple genres, including rock, folk, and electronic. Further down South Broadway, you can test your axe-throwing skills at Battle Axes. 

Rock climbing enthusiasts can hone their skills at the Movement indoor rock climbing gym or Denver Bouldering Club South. To escape the heat, you can head to Pirates Cove Water Park to enjoy three 35-foot water slides, a lazy river, and private cabanas. 

Louisville

Homebuyers hoping to live in a picturesque western town near the Denver metro area should check out Louisville. 

There are two main routes between Louisville and Denver, which take about 30 minutes. From northern Louisville, you can use Interstate 25 to arrive on the north side of Denver. If you're further south in Louisville, you might want to utilize Route 36. 

Outdoor lovers will appreciate the extensive system of multi-use paths and open spaces woven into the fabric of Louisville's neighborhoods. Using these paths, residents can bicycle, jog, or skate into downtown Louisville without using roadways.

On Main Street, Louisville's quaint downtown is lined with locally-owned cafes and restaurants. To name a few, Lulu's BBQ, Waterloo, and Bittersweet Cafe & Confections are excellent dining options within a few short blocks. From May to October, the Louisville Farmers Market unites Colorado farmers, artists, and citizens who support local businesses and build community. 

Thornton

Thornton is a sizable community directly north of Denver. The commute from the southern side of town can take as little as 15 minutes, while the drive might be 25 minutes from the north side. In both cases, Interstate 25 is the most straightforward route but commuters can also make use of Washington St. or North Pecos St. when needed. 

Luckily, Thornton has nearly everything you need, so you'll rarely need to leave. The Denver Premium Outlets has name brands like the Columbia Factory Store and Forever 21. Nearby, The Orchard Town Center Shopping Mall features a Target Grocery, Chipotle, and Panera Bread. The Centura St. Anthony North Hospital is also directly adjacent to the mall.  

As for entertainment in Thornton, you can catch a movie at the AMC Orchard 12 movie theater, tee off at one of the 75 golf courses within 20 miles of Thornton, or venture into Denver for the weekend. Outdoor enthusiasts will also enjoy the 40 minute drive from Thornton's into the Rocky Mountains on Route 36. 

Northglenn

Nestled between Thornton and Westminster, is Northglenn. Though it’s not a big city, proximity to surrounding cities allows residents to utilize nearby conveniences. 

Thorncreek Crossing and Washington Point are two strip malls straddling East 120th Avenue. Numerous well-known shops and restaurants, including Olive Garden, Sprouts Farmers Market, and Outback Steakhouse, can be found in the area.

If you're looking for more, you can head into Denver, which is only about 20 minutes down Interstate 25, or take a ride on the RTD's N line. Alternatively, you can travel on Washington St. which is perfect if you want to stop by the Sunrise Village Shopping Center on East 88th Avenue. 

Residents can enjoy highly-rated outdoor spaces on both the east and west sides of Northglenn. To the east, Carpenter Park features a skate park, bike paths, sports fields, and an old-timey carousel. Carpenter Park also hosts outdoor concerts and even a water-lantern festival in the summer. On the opposite side of town, Northwest Open Space has baseball and softball fields, sprawling meadows of wildflowers, and unbeatable sunset views of The Rockies. 

Longmont

Hopeful homebuyers will be happy to explore Longmont’s single family homes, luxury mansions, and newly constructed condos. Plus, Longmont’s housing stock can offer a range of home prices to different types of buyers. If you choose to buy a home in Longmont, the drive to Denver will be 45 minutes to an hour. Commuters can choose Interstate 25 for the fastest route or Route 287 as an alternative in case of traffic. 

Though the commute is slightly longer, Longmont’s self-sufficiency allows you to find most of what you need in town. In fact, the Longmont Power & Communications service is a customer-owned utility service unlike most in the nation. Longmont’s “Power For Life” electricity and “NextLight” internet are provided to residents at very low prices and no profit to the city.  

Longmont boasts a lively downtown along Main Street with seemingly limitless local restaurants and breweries. Lucille's Creole Cafe is a town favorite offering authentic Louisiana cuisine. Beer enthusiasts can make an evening of testing local brews at Pumphouse Brewery, Wibby Brewing, and 300 Suns Brewing. The same goes for coffee lovers, who can try the java at Ziggi's Coffee, Maldo's Coffee and Boba, and Meco Coffee Collective.  

Evergreen

For those looking to escape the city, Evergreen is an ideal community nestled into the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains. Even with Evergreen's secluded atmosphere, the drive to Denver is typically 40 minutes.

Drivers will first need to travel north on Route 74 then hop on Interstate 70 to drive directly into Denver. If you’re hoping to avoid Interstate 70, Route 74 offers a scenic route down the mountain where you can then take Route 6 into Denver.  

When considering a home in Evergreen, you'll have a chance to explore large plots of land and a selection of luxurious homes. You'll have breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and rivers from nearly anywhere in the city. What's more, you can occasionally spot elk, moose, and bighorn sheep in the neighborhoods of Evergreen.  

You can partake in the town's many adventures when you're not hanging out in Evergreen's frontier-style, historic downtown. Skiers, hikers, kayakers, and campers should have many opportunities to enjoy the surrounding slopes and streams. 

Interested in buying a home around Denver? Browse listings and see how much you can save with Prevu’s Smart Buyer Rebate.