Fall Road Trips in Colorado
Routes
30
Avg Distance
468 mi
Avg Drive
9h 44m
Destinations
19
Colorado in the fall means embracing the high country. With 30 routes averaging over 440 miles, you can chase peak foliage and crisp mountain air. Drives here often involve significant elevation changes, with some topping out over 9,000 feet, offering dramatic vistas as the aspen groves turn golden. While EV charging infrastructure varies, the dramatic scenery is a constant.
Fuel snapshot for this state
Regular
$4.29/gal
Diesel: $5.60/gal
Typical trip cost
$62–$312
One-way, ~468 mi avg @ 25.4 MPG
CO₂ per trip
~164 kg
ICE vehicle, one-way average
Source: US Energy Information Administration • week of 2026-08-31
Climate through the year: Colorado
Colorado peaks at around 90°F in Jul and cools to 44°F / 18°F in Dec. Wettest month is May at ~2.2 in of rain. Table highlights Fall months.
| Month | High °F | Low °F | Rain in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 45 | 19 | 0.4 |
| Feb | 46 | 20 | 0.4 |
| Mar | 56 | 28 | 0.9 |
| Apr | 62 | 34 | 1.7 |
| May | 71 | 44 | 2.2 |
| Jun | 83 | 53 | 1.9 |
| Jul | 90 | 60 | 2.1 |
| Aug | 88 | 58 | 1.6 |
| Sep peak | 80 | 50 | 1.4 |
| Oct peak | 65 | 37 | 1 |
| Nov peak | 53 | 26 | 0.6 |
| Dec | 44 | 18 | 0.4 |
Source: NOAA NCEI Monthly Climate Normals, 1991–2020 reference period. Sampled at the major-airport station for CO — microclimates along specific routes can vary significantly.
Planning Tips
- Check the weather forecast for your route, not just your origin and destination.
- Bring layers for shoulder-season travel — mornings and evenings can be much cooler than midday.
- Colorado routes can vary in condition depending on the time of year. Check for construction zones.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fall Routes
Editor's pick
Englewood, CO → Kathleen, FL
Through: Kansas City → Illinois → Knoxville +1 more
This long-haul option scores an 8, taking you from Colorado's high-altitude starting point with climbs up to 5,371 feet and southward into Florida.
Black Forest, CO → Mountain Home, AR
Through: Kansas City → Lawrence → Grandview +2 more
Editor's pick
Centennial, CO → Dallas, TX
Through: Loop 335
Another 8-score long-haul, this drive begins with high-altitude sections and climbs reaching 6,911 feet, while also providing access to parks along the way.
Editor's pick
Fort Collins, CO → Towaoc, CO
Through: Grand Junction
Featuring mountain driving with significant elevation changes up to 9,485 feet, this mostly highway route within Colorado offers plenty of park access for a fall adventure.
Cortez, CO → Fort Collins, CO
Through: Denver → Colorado Springs
Cortez, CO → Greeley, CO
Through: Denver
Loveland, CO → Cortez, CO
Through: Grand Junction
Fort Collins, CO → Telluride, CO
Through: Grand Junction → Delta
Towaoc, CO → Aurora, CO
Castle Rock, CO → Cortez, CO
Through: Alamosa
Greeley, CO → Durango, CO
Centennial, CO → Mancos, CO
Through: Alamosa
Fort Collins, CO → Ouray, CO
Through: Grand Junction → Delta
Boulder, CO → Cortez, CO
Pueblo, CO → Rangely, CO
Through: Lakewood → Meeker
Aurora, CO → Cortez, CO
Lakewood, CO → Towaoc, CO
Loveland, CO → Durango, CO
Through: Grand Junction
Cortez, CO → Denver, CO
Arvada, CO → Cortez, CO
Bayfield, CO → Fort Collins, CO
Through: Denver → Colorado Springs
Aurora, CO → Mountain Village, CO
Through: Grand Junction → Delta
Centennial, CO → Mountain Village, CO
Through: Grand Junction → Delta
Telluride, CO → Centennial, CO
Through: Lakewood
Mancos, CO → Thornton, CO
Through: Denver
Aurora, CO → Mancos, CO
Telluride, CO → Thornton, CO
Westminster, CO → Mancos, CO
Pueblo, CO → Fruita, CO
Through: Lakewood
Telluride, CO → Westminster, CO