Summer Road Trips in Colorado
Routes
30
Avg Distance
468 mi
Avg Drive
9h 44m
Destinations
19
Colorado in the summer means high-altitude drives with plenty of sunshine, perfect for exploring. With 30 routes averaging 468 miles and nearly 10 hours of driving, you can cover serious ground. The average maximum elevation hits over 5,300 feet, offering stunning vistas. While EV charging varies, some routes boast good coverage and over a dozen DC fast chargers.
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 Summer 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 peak | 83 | 53 | 1.9 |
| Jul peak | 90 | 60 | 2.1 |
| Aug peak | 88 | 58 | 1.6 |
| Sep | 80 | 50 | 1.4 |
| Oct | 65 | 37 | 1 |
| Nov | 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
- Carry extra water — summer heat in the car and at rest stops dehydrates faster than you think.
- Start drives early or late to avoid peak afternoon heat, especially through desert or plains stretches.
- Check your tire pressure before long summer drives — hot pavement increases blowout risk with underinflated tires.
Frequently Asked Questions
Summer Routes
Editor's pick
Englewood, CO → Kathleen, FL
Through: Kansas City → Illinois → Knoxville +1 more
This lengthy excursion features high-altitude stretches with significant climbs, topping out at 5,371 feet. It's a substantial drive for those looking to cover a lot of distance across varied terrain.
Editor's pick
Black Forest, CO → Mountain Home, AR
Through: Kansas City → Lawrence → Grandview +2 more
Experience notable climbs in high-altitude areas on this route, reaching up to 7,379 feet. This drive offers a significant elevation change as it winds its way eastward.
Editor's pick
Centennial, CO → Dallas, TX
Through: Loop 335
With good EV coverage and 12 DC fast chargers, this trip is practical for electric vehicles. It includes high-altitude sections with climbs, peaking at 6,911 feet, and offers access to parks.
Fort Collins, CO → Towaoc, CO
Through: Grand Junction
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