TA
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Aspen, CO to Longmont, CO
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 25, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 43m
Distance
183.9 mi
296 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 30m
★
6 AM
4h 44m
8 AM
5h 11m
10 AM
4h 53m
12 PM
4h 50m
3 PM
4h 55m
5 PM
5h 9m
8 PM
4h 36m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Aspen, CO
Wikimedia Commons
Longmont, CO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Aspen, CO to Longmont, CO is 183.9 miles and takes about 4h 43m via I 70, with a fuel budget near $29 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Colorado, moving from the Mountain West region to the same region. Expect a drive that is mostly highway, making it a straightforward trip. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, this route is ideal for a single-day excursion between these two Colorado locales.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
92 miles from Aspen, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 44m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 70 | 73.4 mi | 1h 28m |
| East Cooper Avenue | 42.9 mi | 1h 38m |
| CO 91 | 22.1 mi | 28m |
| US 287 | 17.3 mi | 25m |
| US 24 | 13.9 mi | 17m |
| Sheridan Boulevard | 4.6 mi | 7m |
| Denver–Boulder Turnpike | 3.6 mi | 4m |
| Heartland Expressway | 1.3 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 70
— 73.4 mi, about 1h 28m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 10 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,193 veh/hr typical · worst 2,931
Quietest
2 AM
~120 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
18.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Aspen, CO and Longmont, CO.
1
Start on this road
240 ft
·
19 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto CO 82
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
·
East Main Street
3
Continue on CO 82
0.1 mi
·
30 sec
·
South Original Street
4
Turn left onto CO 82
43 mi
·
1 hr 38 min
·
East Cooper Avenue
5
At end of road, turn left onto US 24
14 mi
·
17 min
·
US 24
6
Turn left onto CR 37
0.5 mi
·
52 sec
·
McWethy Drive
7
Turn right onto West 8th Street
179 ft
·
3 sec
·
West 8th Street
8
Continue on West 6th Street
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West 6th Street
9
At end of road, turn left onto US 24
348 ft
·
15 sec
·
Harrison Avenue
10
Turn right onto East 7th Street
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
East 7th Street
11
Turn left onto Poplar Street
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
·
Poplar Street
12
At end of road, turn left onto East 9th Street
36 ft
·
2 sec
·
East 9th Street
13
Turn right onto US 24
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Poplar Street
Use the left lane.
14
Continue on CO 91
22 mi
·
28 min
·
CO 91
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward I 70 East
16
Merge onto I 70
73 mi
·
1 hr 28 min
·
I 70
Use the straight lane.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 76
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Heartland Expressway
Exit 269B
Toward I 76 East: Fort Morgan
Use the left lane.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 1B
Toward CO 95: Sheridan Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Turn left onto CO 95
4.6 mi
·
7 min
·
Sheridan Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
20
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward US 36 West: Boulder
Use the left lane.
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Toward US 36 West
22
Merge onto US 36
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
23
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
0.8 mi
·
52 sec
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
25
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
42 sec
Toward CO 121: Wadsworth Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Turn right onto CO 121
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
CO 121
27
Continue on US 287
5.7 mi
·
8 min
·
US 287
Use the left lane.
28
Continue on US 287
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
US 287
Use the straight / right lanes.
29
Continue on US 287; CO 7
11 mi
·
16 min
·
US 287; CO 7
Use the straight / right lanes.
30
Turn right onto 5th Avenue
357 ft
·
19 sec
·
5th Avenue
31
Turn right onto Kimbark Street
169 ft
·
9 sec
·
Kimbark Street
32
Turn right
186 ft
·
15 sec
33
Turn right
109 ft
·
7 sec
34
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 43m drive time, departing Aspen in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight and allow for a relaxed pace. You'll only need one stop along the way, so plan it strategically for a break or fuel. The majority of this trip is on I 70, so be aware of potential traffic, especially near larger towns, and ensure you have sufficient fuel before embarking on the 73.4-mile stretch on the interstate. Since this is a single-day drive, you have flexibility in your departure time and stop planning.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 92 miles from Aspen, CO, or about 2h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 73.4 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 40 miles or 1h 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 92 miles or 2h 44m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 55m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Longmont, CO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Aspen, CO so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Aspen, CO
This is one driving day of about 183.9 miles and 4h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 miles from Aspen, CO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 70 for about 73.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
92 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 40 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 92 miles from Aspen, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 70 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 73.4 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 265 decision points cluster between mile 155.6 and 165.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
155.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 1m in
|
I 76 / Heartland Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 76 / Heartland Expressway toward I 76 East: Fort Morgan
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Exit 269B
Toward I 76 East: Fort Morgan
7
156.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 3m in
Take the exit toward CO 95: Sheridan Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 1B
Toward CO 95: Sheridan Boulevard
6
161.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 11m in
Turn left toward US 36 West: Boulder
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward US 36 West: Boulder
6
163.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 13m in
|
US 36 / Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36 / Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
165.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 16m in
Take the exit toward CO 121: Wadsworth Parkway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward CO 121: Wadsworth Parkway
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.69 one way
$57.39 round trip
$3.96/gal
25.4 MPG avg
64 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.22 | $30.55 | $61.09 |
| premium | $4.54 | $32.85 | $65.70 |
| diesel | $5.40 | $39.12 | $78.24 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.24
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
(3.6 mi)
$0.24
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 64.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-20.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 55.2 | 0 | $19.31 | $8.83 |
| Efficient EV | 46 | 0 | $16.09 | $7.36 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 73.6 | 0 | $25.75 | $11.77 |
Gas CO2
64 kg
EV CO2
22 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Aspen, CO
Evening in Aspen on Saturday
Local time
5:45 PM
MDT
Current temp
58°F
Mostly Sunny
WSW 10 mph
2% chance
Live forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 24 at 2:51PM MDT until April 24 at 8:00PM MDT by NWS Denver CO
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 24 at 11:27AM MDT until April 24 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Grand Junction CO
Destination
Longmont, CO
Evening in Longmont on Saturday
Local time
5:45 PM
MDT
Current temp
72°F
Sunny
WSW 13 to 17 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 24 at 2:51PM MDT until April 24 at 8:00PM MDT by NWS Denver CO
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 24 at 11:27AM MDT until April 24 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Grand Junction CO
23°F
Breckenridge, CO
92 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
14 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 43m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway, with 72% of the travel occurring on major roads like I 70. You'll experience a longest stretch of 73.4 miles on I 70 before transitioning to surface roads like East Cooper Avenue and CO 91. This means you'll encounter a section of sustained highway cruising, followed by a shift to more local road conditions as you approach your destination.
72% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 73.4 mi on I 70.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 70 and East Cooper Avenue. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 155.6 miles in near I 76 / Heartland Expressway.
Driving Effort
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 26 significant decision points across 183.9 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 155.6 miles (I 76 / Heartland Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 156.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 161.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Starting in Aspen, CO
Full guide →Founded 1879
Aspen is a ski resort in the state of Colorado in the Rocky Mountains region of the United States of America. Its little sister is Snowmass Village, which is about 10 miles (16 km) from downtown Aspen.
Top landmarks
- • Wheeler Opera House — theater and movie theater in Aspen, Colorado, United States
- • Aspen City Hall — city hall
- • Pitkin County Courthouse — courthouse
Arriving in Longmont, CO
Full guide →Longmont is a city of about 100,000 in North Central Colorado. The city lies in Boulder and Weld counties 30 miles (48 km) north-northwest of the Denver.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 43m. Total distance: 183.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (72%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 73.4 miles on I 70. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.24 in tolls one way, starting with Denver–Boulder Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
Yes — we found about 1 rest area or service plaza within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Longmont, CO before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 1 rest area along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 155.6 miles (I 76 / Heartland Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 156.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 161.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Longmont, CO, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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