Fort Collins to Woodland Park is 147.8 miles and takes about 2 hours 54 minutes via North Valley Highway, Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, and Midland Expressway, with a fuel budget near $23 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Colorado, connecting two points in the Mountain West region. Expect a drive that primarily uses surface roads, making it a more relaxed trip than a pure interstate cruise. It's a straightforward drive, suitable for a single-day excursion with minimal planning.
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
73.9 miles from Fort Collins, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 22m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
North Valley Highway
79.5 mi
1h 29m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
41.4 mi
41m
Midland Expressway
15.3 mi
22m
East Mulberry Street
3.9 mi
7m
Monument Valley Freeway
3.3 mi
3m
West Fillmore Street
1.4 mi
2m
North 31st Street
0.7 mi
1m
Fontmore Road
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
North Valley Highway
— 79.5 mi, about 1h 29m
Traffic on I-25
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 18 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~4,701 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~356 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
13.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
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Averaged across 52 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 Woodland Park, 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
70 mi·1 hr 18 min·North Valley Highway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
11
Continue on I 25
3.3 mi·3 min·Monument Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.1 mi·16 sec
Exit 145Toward Fillmore StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork
232 ft·7 sec
Toward Fillmore Street WestUse the slight right lane.
14
Continue on West Fillmore Street
1.4 mi·2 min·West Fillmore Street
15
Continue on Fontmore Road
0.6 mi·1 min·Fontmore Road
16
Continue on West Fontanero Street
0.3 mi·33 sec·West Fontanero Street
17
Turn left onto North 31st Street
0.7 mi·1 min·North 31st Street
18
Turn sharp right onto US 24
0.2 mi·20 sec·West Cimarron Street
19
Continue on US 24
15 mi·22 min·Midland Expressway
20
Continue on US 24
261 ft·11 sec·US 24
21
Turn slight right
99 ft·2 sec
22
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 2 hour 54 minute drive time, leaving Fort Collins in the morning is ideal to maximize your day in Woodland Park. With only one recommended stop and a short overall duration, you have flexibility with your timing. The longest stretch is 79.5 miles, so plan for a brief fuel stop before you begin that section if needed, as the $23 fuel cost suggests a moderate consumption. Watch for the transition from highway driving to surface roads; this is where your travel pace might change.
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 73.9 miles from Fort Collins, CO, or about 1h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 79.5 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 33 miles or 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 73.9 miles or 1h 22m 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 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Woodland Park, 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 147.8 miles and 2h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 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 North Valley Highway for about 79.5 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 4.5 and 129.1 — 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.
7
129 mi into trip|~2h 24m in
Take the exit toward Fillmore Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 145
Toward Fillmore Street
8
129.1 mi into trip|~2h 24m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Fillmore Street West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Fillmore Street West
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.31 one way
$50.62 round trip
$4.35/gal25.4 MPG avg52 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.59
$26.71
$53.42
premium
$4.93
$28.69
$57.39
diesel
$5.35
$31.13
$62.26
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 51.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
44.3
0
$15.52
$7.09
Efficient EV
37
0
$12.93
$5.91
EV Truck/SUV
59.1
0
$20.69
$9.46
Gas CO2
52 kg
EV CO2
17 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.
Forecast as of May 21, 2026
Origin
Fort Collins, CO
Afternoon
in Fort Collins on Wednesday
Local time
4:56 PM
MDT
Current temp
65°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
ENE 2 to 8 mph41% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued May 21 at 5:48AM MDT until May 21 at 7:00PM MDT by NWS Grand Junction CO
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued May 21 at 5:48AM MDT until May 21 at 7:00PM MDT by NWS Grand Junction CO
Destination
Woodland Park, CO
Afternoon
in Woodland Park on Wednesday
Local time
4:56 PM
MDT
Current temp
61°F
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 0 to 15 mph23% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued May 21 at 5:48AM MDT until May 21 at 7:00PM MDT by NWS Grand Junction CO
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued May 21 at 5:48AM MDT until May 21 at 7:00PM 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
4 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
2h 54m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument
National Monument
Beneath a grassy mountain valley in central Colorado lies one of the richest and most diverse fossil deposits in the world. Petrified redwood stumps up to 14 feet wide and thousands of detailed fossil...
13 mi from route
~33 min detour
$10
near mile 147.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend most of your time on surface roads, with only about 13% of the 147.8 miles on highways. The longest continuous stretch on a single road is 79.5 miles on North Valley Highway. After that highway segment, you'll transition to surface streets for the remainder of the drive. Be prepared for more local traffic and potentially more intersections as you get closer to your destination.
Only 13% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 79.5 mi on North Valley 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 4.5 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 9 significant decision points across 147.8 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
8,481 ft4,855 ft
Total Climb
4,497 ft
Total Descent
1,021 ft
Highest Point
8,481 ft
~147.8 mi in
Elevation Range
3,626 ft
Notable High Points
5,011 ft at ~21.1 miles+41 ft prominence
5,366 ft at ~52.8 miles+188 ft prominence
6,365 ft at ~84.5 miles+7 ft prominence
6,866 ft at ~105.6 miles+98 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 Woodland Park, CO, road signs begin pointing toward Fillmore Street West along the way.
Fillmore Street West
129.1 mi in|~2h 24m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
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 54m. Total distance: 147.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 79.5 miles on North Valley Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 4 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 Woodland Park, 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 4 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.
Yes — Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Woodland Park, CO before heading back.
