Connecting Fort Collins to Byers is a straightforward 99.2-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 47 minutes. Since the entire trip is easily manageable in a single day, you won't need to worry about booking overnight accommodations. You will primarily navigate via East Mulberry Street, the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, and E-470 to complete the transit. With fuel costs estimated at approximately $15, it is an affordable excursion for those traveling within the Mountain West region. This route serves as a practical link between two Colorado communities, offering a efficient way to cross the state without unnecessary delays.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
49.6 miles from Fort Collins, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 55m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
66.9 mi
1h 6m
E-470
24.6 mi
24m
East Mulberry Street
3.9 mi
7m
US 36
0.4 mi
<1m
West Mulberry Street
0.3 mi
<1m
North Main Street
0.2 mi
<1m
CO 36
0.2 mi
<1m
North Gun Club Road
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 66.9 mi, about 1h 6m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~973 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,753
Quietest
2 AM
~96 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 51 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 Byers, 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: DenverUse the right lane.
7
Merge onto I 25
41 mi·40 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·19 sec
Exit 228Toward NW, E 470 Toll: Limon, BroomfieldUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 228Toward E 470 Toll: LimonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on this road
0.2 mi·16 sec·this road
Exit 228Toward E 470 Toll: Limon
11
Continue on E470
25 mi·24 min·E-470
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 20Toward I 70: Aurora, Denver, LimonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on North Gun Club Road
0.2 mi·29 sec·North Gun Club Road
14
Turn left
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward I 70 East: LimonUse the left lane.
15
Merge onto I 70
26 mi·25 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit onto US 36
0.4 mi·39 sec·US 36
Exit 316Toward US 36 East: ByersUse the slight right lane.
17
Turn right onto CO 36
0.2 mi·47 sec·North Main Street
Use the right lane.
18
Turn right onto CO 36
0.2 mi·29 sec·CO 36
19
Arrive at destination
CO 36
Trip Plan
Because this is a relatively short drive, you have the flexibility to leave whenever suits your schedule best. There are no mandatory stops required for a trip of this duration, allowing you to power through the 99.2 miles without needing to break up the journey. Since you are staying on major roads like E-470, keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before merging onto the highway system to ensure you aren't forced to exit for gas unnecessarily. Use the advantage of the sub-two-hour drive time to plan your arrival in Byers around your specific needs rather than worrying about fatigue. Given the turn-heavy nature of the local sections, stay alert at intersections when transitioning off the main highway stretches.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 49.6 miles from Fort Collins, CO, or about 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 66.9 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 22 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 49.6 miles or 55m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Byers, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Fort Collins, CO
This is one driving day of about 99.2 miles and 1h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Fort Collins, CO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for about 66.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 45.7 and 98.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
45.7 mi into trip|~50m in
Take the exit toward NW, E 470 Toll: Limon, Broomfield
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 228
Toward NW, E 470 Toll: Limon, Broomfield
8
45.9 mi into trip|~51m in
Keep slight left at fork toward E 470 Toll: Limon
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 228
Toward E 470 Toll: Limon
8
71.3 mi into trip|~1h 17m in
Take the exit toward I 70: Aurora, Denver, Limon
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 20
Toward I 70: Aurora, Denver, Limon
7
72.2 mi into trip|~1h 18m in
Turn left toward I 70 East: Limon
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 70 East: Limon
7
98.4 mi into trip|~1h 45m in|US 36
Take the exit onto US 36 toward US 36 East: Byers
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 316
Toward US 36 East: Byers
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.99 one way
$33.98 round trip
$4.35/gal25.4 MPG avg35 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.59
$17.93
$35.85
premium
$4.93
$19.26
$38.52
diesel
$5.35
$20.89
$41.79
Estimated Tolls: $2.95
E-470
(24.6 mi)$2.95
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
$17
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 34.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
29.8
0
$10.42
$4.76
Efficient EV
24.8
0
$8.68
$3.97
EV Truck/SUV
39.7
0
$13.89
$6.35
Gas CO2
35 kg
EV CO2
12 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.
Forecast as of May 29, 2026
Origin
Fort Collins, CO
Afternoon
in Fort Collins on Wednesday
Local time
1:56 PM
MDT
Current temp
81°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 10 mph47% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued May 29 at 5:50PM MDT until May 29 at 6:00PM MDT by NWS Goodland KS
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued May 29 at 12:01PM MDT until May 29 at 8:00PM MDT by NWS Grand Junction CO
Destination
Byers, CO
Afternoon
in Byers on Wednesday
Local time
1:56 PM
MDT
Current temp
83°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 13 mph30% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued May 29 at 5:50PM MDT until May 29 at 6:00PM MDT by NWS Goodland KS
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued May 29 at 12:01PM MDT until May 29 at 8:00PM MDT by NWS Grand Junction CO
59°F
Derby, CO
50 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
2 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
1h 47m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you engaged rather than lulled into a monotonous interstate grind. While the route is entirely highway-based, the transition between different road types requires your full attention. You will spend the bulk of your time on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, which features a 66.9-mile stretch that serves as the longest uninterrupted portion of the trip. Because the route is 100% highway, you can maintain a consistent pace, though the mix of local roads and major thoroughfares means the environment shifts as you move from Fort Collins toward Byers.
Only 1% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 66.9 mi on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 45.7 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 99.2 miles you will encounter 12 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 45.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 45.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 71.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
5,571 ft4,893 ft
Total Climb
972 ft
Total Descent
773 ft
Highest Point
5,571 ft
~85 mi in
Elevation Range
678 ft
Notable High Points
5,075 ft at ~14.2 miles+62 ft prominence
5,216 ft at ~49.6 miles+60 ft prominence
5,571 ft at ~85 miles+43 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Fort Collins, CO and Byers, CO, road signs point toward E 470 Toll: Limon, Broomfield, Denver and Limon.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 47m. Total distance: 99.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 66.9 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.95 in tolls one way, starting with E-470. 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 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 Byers, CO before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 45.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 45.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 71.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Byers, CO before heading back.
