Road Trips from Fort Collins, CO
Fort Collins is a great jumping-off point for a variety of Colorado drives, whether you're looking for a short half-day trip or a longer excursion. You've got options with high-altitude climbs and mountain terrain, some close by with parks, and others that are longer hauls to national parks and monuments. There are several destinations within two hours, plus a few that make for a solid weekend drive.
Total Routes
38
Shortest
0.8h
With Parks Nearby
32
Under 2 hours
11 total in this range
Idaho Springs, CO
1h 48m92.7 mi one way
This 92.7-mile drive takes you to Idaho Springs in about 1.8 hours. It features mixed highway and surface roads with high-altitude sections and notable climbs, offering a solid 9/10 drive score. It's a good option if you want a shorter trip with some elevation gain without going too far.
La Salle, CO
54m35.9 mi one way
Byers, CO
1h 47m99.2 mi one way
This 99.2-mile trip to Byers takes about 1.8 hours on mostly surface roads. It's characterized by high-altitude sections with notable climbs and has a drive score of 7/10. This is a straightforward drive if you're looking for a longer excursion without extensive mountain terrain.
Twin Lakes, CO
1h 7m58.5 mi one way
A 58.5-mile trip to Twin Lakes, achievable in 1.1 hours. This route predominantly uses surface roads and includes high-altitude sections with significant climbs, earning a 7/10 drive score. It's one of the closer options and has parks nearby, making it suitable for a quick scenic outing.
Nederland, CO
1h 39m71 mi one way
Head to Nederland on this 71-mile route, taking around 1.7 hours. The drive is mostly on surface roads, featuring mountain driving with significant elevation changes and a park nearby in Rocky Mountain National Park. It has a 7/10 drive score and offers a taste of mountain terrain.
Full-day getaway
13 total in this range
Kremmling, CO
3h 21m163.8 mi one way
Fraser, CO
2h 49m131.1 mi one way
Granby, CO
3h 9m103.4 mi one way
This 103.4-mile journey to Granby takes around 3.2 hours. The drive is mostly on surface roads, with mountain terrain and significant elevation changes, scoring a 9/10. It's a longer drive that gets you close to Rocky Mountain National Park, offering more substantial mountain scenery.
Cañon City, CO
3h 35m178 mi one way
This 178-mile drive to Cañon City will take about 3.6 hours. Primarily on surface roads, it includes high-altitude sections and notable climbs, earning an 8/10 drive score. It's a longer option that passes near Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument.
Penrose, CO
3h 14m166.3 mi one way
Journey 166.3 miles to Penrose in roughly 3.2 hours. This route mostly uses surface roads with high-altitude sections and climbs, rated 8/10 for the drive. Like Cañon City, it offers access to Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument.
Weekend trip
12 total in this range
Ouray, CO
7h 42m392.3 mi one way
This extensive 392.3-mile trip to Ouray takes approximately 7.7 hours, primarily on highway. It offers mountain driving with significant elevation changes and a perfect 10/10 drive score. This route provides access to Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park, Colorado National Monument, and Curecanti National Recreation Area, making it a substantial journey.
Aspen, CO
5h 12m218.8 mi one way
A 218.8-mile drive to Aspen, taking around 5.2 hours. This route is mostly highway, featuring mountain driving with significant elevation changes and a 9/10 drive score. It's a longer trip geared towards experiencing the high mountain terrain.
Poncha Springs, CO
4h 19m201.4 mi one way
Clifton, CO
5h 34m297.7 mi one way
Fruita, CO
5h 51m314.3 mi one way
Long-haul ideas
Browse by Mood
Ouray, CO
7h 42m392.3 mi one way
Aspen, CO
5h 12m218.8 mi one way
Poncha Springs, CO
4h 19m201.4 mi one way
Idaho Springs, CO
1h 48m92.7 mi one way
When to Go
Spring
Spring drives feature high-altitude sections and mountain terrain, with nearby parks like Rocky Mountain National Park becoming more accessible as snow melts.
Summer
Summer offers numerous mountain driving routes with significant elevation changes, including trips to national parks and monuments.
Fall
Fall drives are excellent for routes with mountain terrain and high-altitude sections, with several options reaching national park areas.
Winter
Winter conditions can impact mountain driving routes with significant elevation changes; focus on routes with mixed highway and surface roads for potentially more stable conditions.
Starting Somewhere Else?
Other nearby cities with their own escape planners.
Ready to plan?
Pick any destination above for full turn-by-turn directions, fuel cost, rest stops, and weather. Or visit the Fort Collins, CO city hub for all incoming and outgoing routes.