TA
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Fort Collins, CO to Avon, CO
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 13m
Distance
166.2 mi
267 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 2m
★
6 AM
3h 14m
8 AM
3h 37m
10 AM
3h 22m
12 PM
3h 20m
3 PM
3h 23m
5 PM
3h 36m
8 PM
3h 7m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fort Collins, CO
Wikimedia Commons
Avon, CO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Fort Collins to Avon is 166.2 miles and takes about 3h 13m via I 70, with a fuel budget near $28 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Mountain West region, offering a consistent scenic backdrop. It's a pretty straightforward trip, mostly on major highways, making it a good option if you're looking for a relatively quick and uncomplicated transit between these two Colorado points. Plan for a single day, as the duration suggests you'll have plenty of time to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay.
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
83.1 miles from Fort Collins, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 35m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 70 | 102.2 mi | 1h 59m |
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 41.4 mi | 41m |
| North Valley Highway | 10.9 mi | 13m |
| Heartland Expressway | 5.2 mi | 5m |
| East Mulberry Street | 3.9 mi | 7m |
| Avon Road | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| West Mulberry Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| South Sherwood Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 70
— 102.2 mi, about 1h 59m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 24 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,107 veh/hr typical · worst 2,901
Quietest
2 AM
~112 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
18.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 104 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 Fort Collins, CO and Avon, CO.
1
Start on South Sherwood Street
0.2 mi
·
41 sec
·
South Sherwood Street
2
Continue on West Magnolia Street
476 ft
·
20 sec
·
West Magnolia Street
3
Turn right onto South Meldrum Street
499 ft
·
29 sec
·
South Meldrum Street
4
Turn left onto West Mulberry Street
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
West Mulberry Street
5
Continue on East Mulberry Street
3.9 mi
·
7 min
·
East Mulberry Street
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward I 25 South: Denver
Use the right lane.
7
Merge onto I 25
41 mi
·
41 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 25
0.6 mi
·
36 sec
·
North Valley Highway
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 25
8.8 mi
·
10 min
·
North Valley Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 25
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
North Valley Highway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Exit 216
Toward I 76 West: Arvada, Grand Junction
Use the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto I 76
5.2 mi
·
5 min
·
Heartland Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 70
102 mi
·
1 hr 59 min
·
I 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward Avon
15
Keep slight left at fork
243 ft
·
6 sec
Toward Avon
16
Enter roundabout onto Avon Road
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
Avon Road
17
Continue on Avon Road
512 ft
·
10 sec
·
Avon Road
18
Enter roundabout onto Avon Road
153 ft
·
3 sec
·
Avon Road
19
Continue on Avon Road
278 ft
·
5 sec
·
Avon Road
20
Enter roundabout onto Avon Road
106 ft
·
2 sec
·
Avon Road
21
Continue on Avon Road
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
Avon Road
22
Enter roundabout onto Avon Road
295 ft
·
4 sec
·
Avon Road
23
Continue on Avon Road
74 ft
·
1 sec
·
Avon Road
24
Arrive at destination
Avon Road
Trip Plan
For this 1-day trip of 166.2 miles, departing in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight and allow for any unexpected delays. With a 3h 13m estimated drive time, you won't need to break it up, but consider a brief stop around the halfway mark, perhaps after covering the initial 80 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $28, and plan your refueling accordingly, especially before embarking on the 102.2-mile stretch on I 70. Since the highway share is significant, you'll likely find plenty of services along the main corridors.
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 83.1 miles from Fort Collins, CO, or about 1h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 102.2 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 37 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 83.1 miles or 1h 35m 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 Avon, CO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Fort Collins, 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 Fort Collins, CO
This is one driving day of about 166.2 miles and 3h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Fort Collins, 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 102.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 37 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 83.1 miles from Fort Collins, 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 102.2 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.
Petro Stopping Centers
0.1 mi from route
CDOT Rest Area: Vail Pass
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
CDOT Rest Area: Poudre
0.3 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 155 decision points cluster between mile 4.5 and 165.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
4.5 mi into trip
|
~9m in
Take the exit toward I 25 South: Denver
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 25 South: Denver
6
46.8 mi into trip
|
~51m in
|
I 25 / North Valley Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 25 / North Valley Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
55.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 2m in
|
I 25 / North Valley Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 25 / North Valley Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
8
57 mi into trip
|
~1h 4m in
Take the exit toward I 76 West: Arvada, Grand Junction
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 216
Toward I 76 West: Arvada, Grand Junction
6
165.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 12m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Avon
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward Avon
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.57 one way
$45.15 round trip
$3.45/gal
25.4 MPG avg
58 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.85 | $25.19 | $50.38 |
| premium | $4.15 | $27.15 | $54.31 |
| diesel | $3.75 | $24.54 | $49.07 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.2 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 49.9 | 0 | $17.45 | $7.98 |
| Efficient EV | 41.6 | 0 | $14.54 | $6.65 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 66.5 | 0 | $23.27 | $10.64 |
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.
Origin
Fort Collins, CO
Morning in Fort Collins on Sunday
Local time
8:12 AM
MDT
Current temp
74°F
Sunny
S 1 to 6 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 5:02AM MDT until October 17 at 9:00AM MDT by NWS Pueblo CO
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 9:15PM MDT until October 17 at 9:00AM MDT by NWS Grand Junction CO
Destination
Avon, CO
Morning in Avon on Sunday
Local time
8:12 AM
MDT
Current temp
65°F
Sunny
S 0 to 5 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 5:02AM MDT until October 17 at 9:00AM MDT by NWS Pueblo CO
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 9:15PM MDT until October 17 at 9:00AM MDT by NWS Grand Junction CO
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
9 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 13m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 driving, with 65% of the 166.2 miles spent on major roads like I 70 and Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. You'll encounter a long stretch of 102.2 miles on I 70, which means you can settle in for some steady cruising. The highway portion will likely feature consistent traffic flow and well-maintained surfaces, but be aware of the transition as you move from these main arteries to surface roads, which will happen as you approach Avon.
65% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 102.2 mi on I 70.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 70 and Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.5 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 15 significant decision points across 166.2 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 4.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 46.8 miles (I 25 / North Valley Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 55.6 miles (I 25 / North Valley Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mountain driving with significant elevation changes
11,091 ft
4,865 ft
Total Climb
7,749 ft
Total Descent
5,310 ft
Highest Point
11,091 ft
~118.7 mi in
Elevation Range
6,226 ft
Notable High Points
11,091 ft at ~118.7 miles
+1,918 ft prominence
10,652 ft at ~142.4 miles
+1,522 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Fort Collins, CO to Avon, CO, road signs begin pointing toward Grand Junction along the way.
Grand Junction
57 mi in
|
~1h 4m
About the Cities
Starting in Fort Collins, CO
Full guide →Founded 1864
Fort Collins is a city of about 170,000 in north central region of the western U.S. state of Colorado. The seat of Larimer County, the city lies 59 miles (95 km) north of Denver on the Cache La Poudre River at the eastern edge of the Front Range foothills. Fort Collins is the home of Colorado State University and is a major research center.
Arriving in Avon, CO
Full guide →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 3h 13m. Total distance: 166.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 102.2 miles on I 70. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 6 rest areas or service plazas 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 Avon, 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 6 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 4.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 46.8 miles (I 25 / North Valley Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 55.6 miles (I 25 / North Valley Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.2 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 Avon, 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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