Summer Road Trips in Colorado
Routes
30
Avg Distance
422 mi
Avg Drive
8h 31m
Destinations
24
Colorado in summer means hitting the road when the mountains are most accessible. With 30 routes averaging 421 miles and over 500 minutes, you have plenty of options. Expect drives with high-altitude sections and climbs, with max elevations reaching over 9,000 feet on some trips. EV charging is available, with some routes offering fair coverage and up to 6 DC fast chargers.
Fuel snapshot for this state
Regular
$4.35/gal
Diesel: $5.35/gal
Typical trip cost
$51–$341
One-way, ~422 mi avg @ 25.4 MPG
CO₂ per trip
~148 kg
ICE vehicle, one-way average
Source: US Energy Information Administration • week of 2026-06-01
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 long-haul drive across multiple states scores an 8, featuring high-altitude sections with notable climbs up to 5,371 feet.
Editor's pick
Centennial, CO → Dallas, TX
Through: Loop 335
Another long-haul option with a drive score of 8, this trip includes high-altitude sections and climbs reaching 6,911 feet, and passes through areas with parks.
Editor's pick
Fort Collins, CO → Towaoc, CO
Through: Grand Junction
This route scores a 7 and offers mountain driving with significant elevation changes up to 9,485 feet, featuring fair EV coverage and 6 DC fast chargers along its 455-mile path.
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
Greeley, CO → Durango, CO
Fort Collins, CO → Ouray, CO
Through: Grand Junction → Delta
Pueblo, CO → Rangely, CO
Through: Lakewood → Meeker
Towaoc, CO → Lakewood, CO
Cortez, CO → Denver, CO
Mancos, CO → Thornton, CO
Through: Denver
Pueblo, CO → Fruita, CO
Through: Lakewood
Durango, CO → Longmont, CO
Through: Denver
Centennial, CO → Bayfield, CO
Through: Alamosa
Aurora, CO → Ouray, CO
Through: Grand Junction → Delta
Colorado Springs, CO → Rangely, CO
Through: Lakewood → Meeker
Aurora, CO → Ridgway, CO
Through: Grand Junction → Delta
Pueblo, CO → Meeker, CO
Through: Lakewood
Centennial, CO → Ridgway, CO
Through: Grand Junction → Delta
Colorado Springs, CO → Loma, CO
Through: Lakewood
Fort Collins, CO → Rangely, CO
Colorado Springs, CO → Fruita, CO
Through: Lakewood
Fort Collins, CO → Fruita, CO
Through: Grand Junction
Centennial, CO → Pagosa Springs, CO
Through: Alamosa
Grand Junction, CO → Wellington, CO
Through: Colorado Springs
Fort Collins, CO → Fruitvale, CO
Through: Grand Junction
Aurora, CO → Orchard City, CO
Through: Grand Junction → Delta
Fort Collins, CO → Alamosa, CO