Fort Collins to Limon is 143.9 miles and takes about 2 hours 32 minutes via Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, with a fuel budget near $22 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Mountain West region, connecting two points in Colorado. It's a fairly direct path that transitions from more urban-influenced roads to open plains driving. Consider this trip if you're looking for a straightforward drive with minimal fuss, suitable for a single day of travel.
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
71.9 miles from Fort Collins, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 18m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
110.6 mi
1h 50m
E-470
24.6 mi
24m
East Mulberry Street
3.9 mi
7m
I 70 Business
1.7 mi
3m
West Mulberry Street
0.3 mi
<1m
North Gun Club Road
0.2 mi
<1m
South Sherwood Street
0.2 mi
<1m
South Meldrum Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 110.6 mi, about 1h 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Collins, CO and Limon, 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
70 mi·1 hr 9 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit onto I 70 Business
0.3 mi·45 sec·I 70 Business
Exit 359Toward I 70 Business: LimonUse the slight right lane.
17
Turn right onto I 70 Business; US 40; US 287
0.3 mi·48 sec·I 70 Business; US 40; US 287
Use the straight lane.
18
Turn left onto I 70 Business; US 24; US 40; US 287
1.1 mi·1 min·I 70 Business; US 24; US 40; US 287
Use the left lane.
19
Turn left onto H Avenue
359 ft·15 sec·H Avenue
Use the left lane.
20
Arrive at destination
H Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 2 hours and 32 minutes, you have flexibility in when you depart for this 143.9-mile trip. Leaving in the morning allows you to arrive in Limon with plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimated at $22, planning for fuel and a quick break will be straightforward. Pay attention to the road conditions as you transition out of the more developed areas near Fort Collins and into the open stretches leading to Limon.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 71.9 miles from Fort Collins, CO, or about 1h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 110.6 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 32 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 71.9 miles or 1h 18m 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 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Limon, 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 143.9 miles and 2h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 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 Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for about 110.6 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 45.7 and 142.1 — 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
142.1 mi into trip|~2h 29m in|I 70 Business
Take the exit onto I 70 Business toward I 70 Business: Limon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 359
Toward I 70 Business: Limon
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.68 one way
$43.36 round trip
$3.83/gal25.4 MPG avg50 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.05
$22.96
$45.91
premium
$4.39
$24.89
$49.79
diesel
$5.61
$31.77
$63.54
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
$22
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 50.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
43.2
0
$15.11
$6.91
Efficient EV
36
0
$12.59
$5.76
EV Truck/SUV
57.6
0
$20.15
$9.21
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 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 Apr 19, 2026
Origin
Fort Collins, CO
Morning
in Fort Collins on Tuesday
Local time
6:41 AM
MDT
Current temp
32°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Limon, CO
Morning
in Limon on Tuesday
Local time
6:41 AM
MDT
Current temp
57°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
25 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
2h 32m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is described as a turn-heavy local drive, with a highway share of 100%, meaning you'll primarily be on well-maintained roadways. You'll experience a longest stretch of 110.6 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, offering a significant period of consistent travel. While predominantly highway, expect the profile to shift, suggesting a dynamic driving experience rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. Be prepared for varied conditions as you navigate between these two Colorado cities.
Only 1% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 110.6 mi on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 143.9 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 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.
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 Limon, CO, road signs point toward E 470 Toll: Limon, Broomfield and Denver.
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 2h 32m. Total distance: 143.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 110.6 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.
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 Limon, 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 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 Limon, CO before heading back.
