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Trip from Avon, CO to Greeley, CO

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 15m

Distance

165 mi

265 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$25

one way

EV Charging

Fair

3 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min
4 AM
3h 4m ★
6 AM
3h 16m
8 AM
3h 39m
10 AM
3h 24m
12 PM
3h 22m
3 PM
3h 25m
5 PM
3h 38m
8 PM
3h 9m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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town in Eagle County, Colorado, United States

Avon, CO

Wikimedia Commons

city in and county seat of Wetd County, Colorado, United States

Greeley, CO

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Spanning 157.6 miles across Colorado’s Mountain West, this journey from Avon to Greeley typically takes about 2 hours and 43 minutes. Because of the manageable distance, it is well-suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $24 on fuel, making it a relatively budget-friendly excursion. The route primarily utilizes Avon Road, Gerald R, and the Heartland Expressway to navigate between these two points. Since the entire trip remains within the Colorado mountain region, you won't experience drastic shifts in landscape culture, but you should prepare for a drive that demands your full attention.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

82.5 miles from Avon, CO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 39m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Gerald R. Ford Memorial Highway 102.1 mi 2h 2m
Heartland Expressway 34.4 mi 36m
County Road 49 22 mi 25m
East 18th Street 3.7 mi 5m
8th Avenue 0.9 mi 1m
9th Street 0.8 mi 1m
Avon Road 0.4 mi <1m
10th Street 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Gerald R. Ford Memorial Highway — 102.1 mi, about 2h 2m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Avon, CO and Greeley, CO.

1

Start on Avon Road

0.2 mi · 20 sec · Avon Road
2

Enter roundabout onto Avon Road

99 ft · 2 sec · Avon Road
3

Continue on Avon Road

261 ft · 5 sec · Avon Road
4

Enter roundabout onto Avon Road

170 ft · 3 sec · Avon Road
5

Continue on Avon Road

335 ft · 6 sec · Avon Road
6

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 36 sec
7

Merge onto I 70

102 mi · 2 hr 2 min · Gerald R. Ford Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
8

Keep slight left at fork onto I 76

13 mi · 14 min · Heartland Expressway
Exit 269B Toward I 76 East: Fort Morgan Use the left lane.
9

Keep slight right at fork onto I 76

22 mi · 21 min · Heartland Expressway
Toward I 76 East: Fort Morgan Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
10

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 22 sec
Exit 34 Toward Kersey Road Use the slight right lane.
11

Turn left onto CR 49

22 mi · 25 min · County Road 49
Use the straight / right lanes.
12

Turn left onto East 18th Street

3.7 mi · 5 min · East 18th Street
Use the left lane.
13

At end of road, turn right onto US 34 Business; US 85 Business

0.9 mi · 1 min · 8th Avenue
Use the right lane.
14

Turn left onto US 34 Business

0.2 mi · 28 sec · 10th Street
Use the left lane.
15

Turn right onto US 34 Business

503 ft · 16 sec · 10th Avenue
Use the right lane.
16

Turn left onto US 34 Business

0.8 mi · 1 min · 9th Street
Use the left lane.
17

Turn left onto 19th Avenue

262 ft · 11 sec · 19th Avenue
18

Arrive at destination

19th Avenue

Trip Plan

Given the technical, turn-heavy nature of this 2-hour and 43-minute drive, plan your departure for a time when you feel alert and ready for frequent steering adjustments. While the trip is short enough to tackle in one go, scheduling at least one stop is recommended to break up the winding segments and stretch your legs. Keep your $24 fuel budget in mind, but consider refueling before you hit the local stretches where service stations may be less frequent. Because this is a local-heavy route, prioritize checking real-time traffic updates for your specific road sequence before you head out. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, so don't hesitate to pull over if the winding roads require a quick mental reset.

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 82.5 miles from Avon, CO, or about 1h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 102.1 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 36 miles or 43m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 82.5 miles or 1h 39m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 38m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Greeley, CO than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Avon, 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 Avon, CO

This is one driving day of about 165 miles and 3h 15m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Avon, 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 Gerald R. Ford Memorial Highway for about 102.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Applewood, CO, CO

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Applewood, CO

83 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

Silverthorne, CO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Applewood, CO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 82.5 miles from Avon, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Gerald R. Ford Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 102.1 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Phở Hậu Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Lakewood, Colorado

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 94.3

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+13039880755

Top Coffee Stop

Hygge Life Shop & Café

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Avon, Colorado

Near the start, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+19703315745

Visit website

Phở Hậu Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 94.3

Lakewood, Colorado

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+13039880755

Corridor 44 Champagne Bar and Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour $50 to $60 mile 106

Denver, Colorado

Hours: 3 pm–2 am

+13038930044

Visit website

Nola Voodoo Tavern

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour Moderately mile 106

Denver, Colorado

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+17203899544

Visit website

Hygge Life Shop & Café

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour

Avon, Colorado

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+19703315745

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 117.8

Commerce City, Colorado

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

7Charge Charging Station

2.5 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 117.8

Commerce City, Colorado

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

Later in the drive, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 117.8

Henderson, Colorado

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+18889982546

Visit website

Frisco Historic Park and Museum

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 35.3

Frisco, Colorado

Hours: Closed

+19706683428

Visit website

Colorado Adventure Center - Zipline & Ropes Course

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 70.7

Idaho Springs, Colorado

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+17207071885

Visit website

Island Grove Regional Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 165

Greeley, Colorado

Hours: 7 am–3:30 pm

+19703509392

Visit website

Clear Creek White Water Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 94.3

Golden, Colorado

Hours: Open 24 hours

+13033848000

Visit website

Argo Gold Mill and Tunnel

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 70.7

Idaho Springs, Colorado

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+13035672421

Visit website

Larimer Square

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 106

Denver, Colorado

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+17208051973

Visit website

VR ARCADE USA

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 106

Denver, Colorado

Hours: 10 am–10 pm

+17202899583

Visit website

Skyline Beer Garden

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 106

Denver, Colorado

+13035346161

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 14

5 decision points cluster between mile 102.8 and 164 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
102.8 mi into trip | ~2h 3m 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
115.3 mi into trip | ~2h 18m in | I 76 / Heartland Expressway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 76 / Heartland Expressway toward I 76 East: Fort Morgan

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward I 76 East: Fort Morgan
7
137.2 mi into trip | ~2h 39m in

Take the exit toward Kersey Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 34 Toward Kersey Road
7
163 mi into trip | ~3h 11m in | US 34 Business; US 85 Business / 8th Avenue

At end of road, turn right onto US 34 Business; US 85 Business / 8th Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
7
164 mi into trip | ~3h 13m in | US 34 Business / 10th Avenue

Turn right onto US 34 Business / 10th Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$24.86 one way

$49.72 round trip

$3.83/gal 25.4 MPG avg 58 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.05 $26.32 $52.64
premium $4.39 $28.54 $57.09
diesel $5.61 $36.43 $72.86

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$25

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$50–$75

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 57.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 49.5 0 $17.33 $7.92
Efficient EV 41.3 0 $14.44 $6.60
EV Truck/SUV 66 0 $23.10 $10.56

Gas CO2

58 kg

EV CO2

19 kg (67% 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Avon, CO

Night in Avon on Saturday

Local time

10:33 PM

MDT

Current temp

35°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Greeley, CO

Night in Greeley on Saturday

Local time

10:33 PM

MDT

Current temp

80°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

45 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

3h 15m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a mindless highway cruise, as this route features zero percent highway share. You will navigate a series of local roads that prioritize maneuvering over speed, creating a more technical experience behind the wheel. Because the path relies on local infrastructure like Avon Road and Gerald R, the journey is defined by constant changes in direction rather than long, uninterrupted stretches. This profile requires you to stay engaged with the road layout throughout the entire 157.6-mile duration. It is a distinct change of pace for drivers accustomed to the predictability of major interstates.

Only 21% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 102.1 mi on Gerald R. Ford Memorial Highway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 102.8 miles in near I 76 / Heartland Expressway.

Driving Effort 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 165 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 102.8 miles (I 76 / Heartland Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 115.3 miles (I 76 / Heartland Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 137.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 15m. Total distance: 165 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 102.1 miles on Gerald R. Ford Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

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 Greeley, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 102.8 miles (I 76 / Heartland Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 115.3 miles (I 76 / Heartland Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 137.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Greeley, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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