Fort Collins to Edwards is 170 miles and takes about 3h 18m 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 another part of the Mountain West. The route primarily uses major highways, making it a straightforward drive. With a recommended one-day duration, it's ideal for a quick transition between these Colorado locations. Expect a relatively direct path with minimal complexity.
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
85 miles from Fort Collins, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 37m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 70
106.1 mi
2h 3m
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
Edwards Access Road
0.6 mi
1m
West Mulberry Street
0.3 mi
<1m
South Sherwood Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 70
— 106.1 mi, about 2h 3m
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
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Edwards, 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·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 216Toward I 76 West: Arvada, Grand JunctionUse 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
106 mi·2 hr 3 min·I 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward Edwards
15
Enter roundabout onto I 70 Business
250 ft·5 sec·Edwards Access Road
16
Continue on I 70 Business
314 ft·6 sec·Edwards Access Road
17
Enter roundabout onto I 70 Business
106 ft·2 sec·Edwards Access Road
18
Continue on I 70 Business
301 ft·6 sec·Edwards Access Road
19
Enter roundabout onto I 70 Business
76 ft·1 sec·Edwards Access Road
20
Continue on I 70 Business
0.4 mi·40 sec·Edwards Access Road
21
Turn right
211 ft·15 sec
22
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 18m drive time, leaving Fort Collins in the morning allows ample time to reach Edwards by afternoon, so a same-day trip is very feasible. Plan for just one stop to break up the drive, perhaps around the halfway point or a bit further along on I 70. The fuel cost is estimated at $29, so ensure you have enough fuel before departing, especially before longer highway stretches. Keep an eye on road conditions, particularly if traveling during winter months, as mountain passes can be affected by weather. Since this is a short, single-day drive, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time as needed.
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 85 miles from Fort Collins, CO, or about 1h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 106.1 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 37 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 85 miles or 1h 37m 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 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Edwards, 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 170 miles and 3h 18m.
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 106.1 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 4.5 and 169.4 — 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
169.4 mi into trip|~3h 16m in|I 70 Business / Edwards Access Road
Enter roundabout onto I 70 Business / Edwards Access Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.09 one way
$46.18 round trip
$3.45/gal25.4 MPG avg60 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.85
$25.77
$51.54
premium
$4.15
$27.78
$55.55
diesel
$3.75
$25.10
$50.20
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: 59.5 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
51
0
$17.85
$8.16
Efficient EV
42.5
0
$14.88
$6.80
EV Truck/SUV
68
0
$23.80
$10.88
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 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 Oct 17, 2026
Origin
Fort Collins, CO
Morning
in Fort Collins on Sunday
Local time
8:01 AM
MDT
Current temp
74°F
Sunny
S 1 to 6 mph0% chanceLive 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
Edwards, CO
Morning
in Edwards on Sunday
Local time
8:01 AM
MDT
Current temp
66°F
Sunny
WSW 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive 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
8 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 18m 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?
This drive is 65% highway, meaning you'll spend the majority of your time on major interstates like I 70 and Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 106.1 miles on I 70, so be prepared for extended periods of cruising. As you get closer to Edwards, you'll transition off the main highway onto surface roads for the final portion of the trip. You'll notice the shift from high-speed interstate travel to more localized roads as you approach your destination.
65% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 106.1 mi on I 70.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 170 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
10,200 ft4,882 ft
Total Climb
5,901 ft
Total Descent
3,681 ft
Highest Point
10,200 ft
~121.4 mi in
Elevation Range
5,318 ft
Notable High Points
10,200 ft at ~121.4 miles+620 ft prominence
9,929 ft at ~145.7 miles+583 ft prominence
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 Edwards, CO, road signs begin pointing toward Grand Junction along the way.
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 3h 18m. Total distance: 170 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 106.1 miles on I 70. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 8 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 Edwards, 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 8 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 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Edwards, CO, but most travelers stay overnight.
