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Trip from Durango, CO to Longmont, CO

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

Drive Time

8h 16m

Distance

361.7 mi

582 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$55

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 23 min
4 AM
8h 9m ★
6 AM
8h 17m
8 AM
8h 32m
10 AM
8h 22m
12 PM
8h 21m
3 PM
8h 23m
5 PM
8h 31m
8 PM
8h 12m

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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home rule municipality in and county seat of La Plata County, Colorado, United States

Durango, CO

Wikimedia Commons

city in Boulder County, Colorado, United States

Longmont, CO

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Spanning 361.7 miles across the Mountain West, the drive from Durango to Longmont is a significant journey that takes approximately 8 hours and 16 minutes behind the wheel. Because of the duration, this route is best approached as a two-day trip to ensure you don't feel rushed on the road. Your primary navigation will involve US 285, US 24, and Pagosa Street, providing a steady path through Colorado’s varied terrain. With an estimated fuel cost of $55, it is a budget-friendly way to cross the state, though you should factor in the cost of an overnight stay. Whether you are moving between regions or just exploring, this highway-focused drive offers a consistent pace that connects the southwestern corner of the state to the northern front range.

Trip Pace

Best split across 2 days

Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.

Break Rhythm

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

180.8 miles from Durango, CO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 9m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 285 89.4 mi 2h 5m
US 24 73.9 mi 1h 33m
Pagosa Street 57.8 mi 1h 20m
Highway 160 52.7 mi 1h 8m
Gunbarrel Road 23.1 mi 33m
US 287 17.3 mi 25m
Oak Street 13.1 mi 19m
I 70 8.5 mi 9m
Longest stretch: US 285 — 89.4 mi, about 2h 5m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Durango, CO and Longmont, CO.

1

Start on Main Avenue

99 ft · 12 sec · Main Avenue
2

Turn left onto West 11th Street

0.1 mi · 26 sec · West 11th Street
3

Turn left onto US 550

4.6 mi · 7 min · Camino del Rio
Use the straight lane.
4

Continue on US 160; US 550

53 mi · 1 hr 8 min · Highway 160
Use the straight lane.
5

Continue on US 160

2.6 mi · 5 min · San Juan Street
Use the straight lane.
6

Continue on US 160

58 mi · 1 hr 20 min · Pagosa Street
7

Continue on US 160

0.6 mi · 1 min · Grand Avenue
8

Turn left onto CO 112

13 mi · 19 min · Oak Street
Use the left lane.
9

Turn left onto US 285

23 mi · 33 min · Gunbarrel Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
10

Continue on US 285

0.3 mi · 43 sec · 8th Street
11

Turn straight onto US 285

0.3 mi · 40 sec · US 285
12

Turn straight onto US 285

40 mi · 50 min · US 285
Use the straight lane.
13

Continue on US 285

11 mi · 18 min · US 285
14

Continue on US 285

9.7 mi · 15 min · US 285
Use the straight lane.
15

Take the exit onto US 285

0.2 mi · 21 sec · US 285
Toward US 285 North
16

Merge onto US 24; US 285

74 mi · 1 hr 33 min · US 24; US 285
17

Continue on US 285

28 mi · 39 min · US 285
Use the straight / slight left / slight right lanes.
18

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 53 sec
Toward CO 470 West: West CO 470 to I-70 Use the straight / right lanes.
19

Merge onto CO 470

5.3 mi · 6 min · CO 470
Use the straight / right lanes.
20

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 16 sec
Exit 1 Toward I 70: Grand Junction, Denver Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Keep slight right at fork

0.8 mi · 1 min
Toward I 70 East: Denver Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22

Merge onto I 70

8.5 mi · 9 min · I 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23

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.
24

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 40 sec
Exit 1B Toward CO 95: Sheridan Boulevard Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25

Turn left onto CO 95

4.6 mi · 7 min · Sheridan Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
26

Turn left

0.3 mi · 37 sec
Toward US 36 West: Boulder Use the left lane.
27

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 23 sec
Toward US 36 West
28

Merge onto US 36

0.9 mi · 1 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike
29

Keep slight right at fork onto US 36

1.9 mi · 2 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30

Keep slight right at fork onto US 36

0.8 mi · 52 sec · Denver–Boulder Turnpike
31

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 42 sec
Toward CO 121: Wadsworth Parkway Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32

Turn right onto CO 121

0.2 mi · 30 sec · CO 121
33

Continue on US 287

5.7 mi · 8 min · US 287
Use the left lane.
34

Continue on US 287

0.2 mi · 19 sec · US 287
Use the straight / right lanes.
35

Continue on US 287; CO 7

11 mi · 16 min · US 287; CO 7
Use the straight / right lanes.
36

Turn right onto 5th Avenue

357 ft · 19 sec · 5th Avenue
37

Turn right onto Kimbark Street

169 ft · 9 sec · Kimbark Street
38

Turn right

186 ft · 15 sec
39

Turn right

109 ft · 7 sec
40

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

To manage the 361.7-mile distance comfortably, plan for at least two dedicated stops to stretch your legs and refresh. Since this is an 8-hour and 16-minute haul, departing early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid fatigue and navigate the highways during daylight hours. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $55 estimate may fluctuate depending on your vehicle's efficiency and mountain driving conditions. Given the total duration, I highly recommend splitting the drive over two days to make the experience more enjoyable rather than exhausting. Use the 89.4-mile stretch on US 285 to gauge your progress, and be prepared for changing mountain road conditions as you move across the state.

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 180.8 miles from Durango, CO, or about 4h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 89.4 miles.

Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 80 miles or 1h 49m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 180.8 miles or 4h 9m in

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

Overnight split

Day 1 wrap after about 180.8 miles or 4h 9m

Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 6h 52m

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 Durango, 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.

+

Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.

+

Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Durango, CO

Aim for roughly 181 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into Longmont, CO

Aim for roughly 181 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Durango, CO.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 285 for about 89.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

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

Mid-route town

Overnight candidate

Cripple Creek, CO

181 mi into the route

Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start

This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.

Find hotels in Cripple Creek, CO

Overnight Options

Night 1

Cripple Creek, CO

181 mi · about 4.1h in

A practical overnight split lands near Cripple Creek, CO after about 181 miles or 4.1 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Pagosa Springs, CO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Cripple Creek, CO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 180.8 miles from Durango, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 285 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 89.4 miles.

Overnight split

Hotel stop

For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 181 miles or 4.1 hours on the road.

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.

Tiny Town & Railroad

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 310

Morrison, Colorado

+13036976829

Visit website

Water World

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 335.8

Federal Heights, Colorado

+13034277873

Visit website

Super Smash Rooms

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 335.8

Westminster, Colorado

Hours: 1–7 pm

+13035580726

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 26

5 decision points cluster between mile 118.4 and 334.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
118.4 mi into trip | ~2h 43m in | CO 112 / Oak Street

Turn left onto CO 112 / Oak Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
8
323.9 mi into trip | ~7h 22m in

Take the exit toward I 70: Grand Junction, Denver

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 1 Toward I 70: Grand Junction, Denver
7
324 mi into trip | ~7h 23m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 70 East: Denver

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 70 East: Denver
8
333.3 mi into trip | ~7h 34m 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
334.6 mi into trip | ~7h 36m 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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$54.50 one way

$108.99 round trip

$3.83/gal 25.4 MPG avg 127 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.05 $57.70 $115.40
premium $4.39 $62.57 $125.14
diesel $5.61 $79.86 $159.72

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

$55

Tolls

$0

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$185–$295

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 126.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $38 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 108.5 1 $37.98 $17.36
Efficient EV 90.4 1 $31.65 $14.47
EV Truck/SUV 144.7 1 $50.64 $23.15

Gas CO2

127 kg

EV CO2

42 kg (67% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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

Durango, CO

Evening in Durango on Saturday

Local time

7:24 PM

MDT

Current temp

36°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Longmont, CO

Evening in Longmont on Saturday

Local time

7:24 PM

MDT

Current temp

79°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.

For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.

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

43 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

8h 16m on the road

This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.

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

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a drive that is predominantly highway-focused, with about 70% of your time spent on major routes. You will encounter a mix of open stretches and winding segments, including a notable longest stretch of 89.4 miles on US 285 where you can find a steady rhythm. The road's personality shifts as you transition between these primary arteries, requiring you to stay alert during the longer, uninterrupted sections. While it isn't an interstate grind, the route maintains a practical, efficient character that favors steady progress over technical local navigation. You will feel the landscape change as you shift between the major highway segments, making for a varied experience behind the wheel.

70% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
40 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 89.4 mi on US 285.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 285 and US 24. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 118.4 miles in near CO 112 / Oak Street.

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 361.7 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 118.4 miles (CO 112 / Oak Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 323.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 324 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Durango, CO to Longmont, CO, road signs begin pointing toward Denver along the way.

Denver

323.9 mi in | ~7h 22m

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 89.4 miles on US 285. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 181 miles on day one.

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.

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

The main spots that need attention: at 118.4 miles (CO 112 / Oak Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 323.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 324 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Not recommended in a single day. At 8.3 hours each way, a round trip means 16.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Longmont, CO before the return drive.

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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