This 276.4-mile journey from Grand Junction to Longmont, Colorado, will take approximately 4 hours and 23 minutes of driving time. Designed as a single-day trip, you'll navigate primarily via I-70 East, the Heartland Expressway, and CO-95. With a projected fuel cost of around $42, this drive offers a straightforward transition within the Mountain West region. The route is characterized by its turn-heavy local drive sections, so be prepared for more dynamic navigation rather than long, uninterrupted highway stretches. It's a manageable day trip for those looking to cover ground efficiently within Colorado.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
134 miles from Grand Junction, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 34m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 70 BUS
238.4 mi
4h 30m
US 287
17.3 mi
25m
Sheridan Boulevard
4.6 mi
7m
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
3.6 mi
4m
Heartland Expressway
1.3 mi
1m
Pitkin Avenue
1.3 mi
2m
CO 121
0.2 mi
<1m
5th Avenue
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 70 BUS
— 238.4 mi, about 4h 30m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 18 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,726 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,309
Quietest
2 AM
~95 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
18.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Grand Junction, CO and Longmont, CO.
1
Start on I 70 BUS
1.3 mi·2 min·Pitkin Avenue
2
Continue on I 70 BUS
4.3 mi·7 min·I 70 BUS
3
Continue on I 70 BUS; US 6
0.8 mi·1 min·I 70 BUS; US 6
4
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70 BUS
233 mi·4 hr 22 min·I 70 BUS
Toward I 70 East: DenverUse the slight right lane.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 76
1.3 mi·1 min·Heartland Expressway
Exit 269BToward I 76 East: Fort MorganUse the left lane.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi·40 sec
Exit 1BToward CO 95: Sheridan BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Turn left onto CO 95
4.6 mi·7 min·Sheridan Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
8
Turn left
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward US 36 West: BoulderUse the left lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward US 36 West
10
Merge onto US 36
0.9 mi·1 min·Denver–Boulder Turnpike
11
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
1.9 mi·2 min·Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
0.8 mi·52 sec·Denver–Boulder Turnpike
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi·42 sec
Toward CO 121: Wadsworth ParkwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Turn right onto CO 121
0.2 mi·30 sec·CO 121
15
Continue on US 287
5.7 mi·8 min·US 287
Use the left lane.
16
Continue on US 287
0.2 mi·19 sec·US 287
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Continue on US 287; CO 7
11 mi·16 min·US 287; CO 7
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Turn right onto 5th Avenue
357 ft·19 sec·5th Avenue
19
Turn right onto Kimbark Street
169 ft·9 sec·Kimbark Street
20
Turn right
186 ft·15 sec
21
Turn right
109 ft·7 sec
22
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour and 23-minute estimated duration, this 276.4-mile trip is best tackled in a single day. Aim to depart Grand Junction in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for a relaxed pace, especially considering the turn-heavy nature of the drive. You'll encounter one recommended stop along the way, so plan accordingly to break up the journey. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $42, and ensure you have enough for the stretches between services. The CO-95 segment, in particular, might require more conscious planning for fuel and rest stops.
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 134 miles from Grand Junction, CO, or about 2h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 238.4 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 59 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 134 miles or 2h 34m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Longmont, CO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Grand Junction, 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 Grand Junction, CO
This is one driving day of about 268.1 miles and 5h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Grand Junction, 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 BUS for about 238.4 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 6.4 and 247.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
6.4 mi into trip|~10m in|I 70 BUS
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70 BUS toward I 70 East: Denver
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 70 East: Denver
8
239.7 mi into trip|~4h 32m in|I 76 / Heartland Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 76 / Heartland Expressway toward I 76 East: Fort Morgan
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Exit 269B
Toward I 76 East: Fort Morgan
7
241.1 mi into trip|~4h 34m in
Take the exit toward CO 95: Sheridan Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 1B
Toward CO 95: Sheridan Boulevard
6
245.9 mi into trip|~4h 42m in
Turn left toward US 36 West: Boulder
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward US 36 West: Boulder
6
247.3 mi into trip|~4h 44m in|US 36 / Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36 / Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.88 one way
$81.76 round trip
$3.87/gal25.4 MPG avg94 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$43.46
$86.91
premium
$4.45
$47.00
$94.00
diesel
$4.80
$50.62
$101.24
Estimated Tolls: $0.24
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
(3.6 mi)$0.24
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
$41
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
80.4
0
$28.15
$12.87
Efficient EV
67
0
$23.46
$10.72
EV Truck/SUV
107.2
1
$37.53
$17.16
Gas CO2
94 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Grand Junction, CO
Night
in Grand Junction on Saturday
Local time
11:23 PM
MDT
Current temp
68°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy
ESE 0 to 10 mph42% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Longmont, CO
Night
in Longmont on Saturday
Local time
11:23 PM
MDT
Current temp
64°F
Mostly Clear
NE 3 to 9 mph6% chanceLive 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
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
5h 15m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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.
Colorado National Monument
National Monument
Colorado National Monument preserves one of the grand landscapes of the American West. But this treasure is much more than a monument. Towering monoliths exist within a vast plateau and canyon panoram...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a route with a turn-heavy local drive profile, meaning you won't be on a continuous interstate for the entire 276.4 miles. While there's a highway share of 0, indicating a focus on local and state roads, the drive progresses through a mix of conditions. The absence of a specified longest uninterrupted stretch suggests frequent changes in road type and speed. This drive demands your attention with its more intricate navigation, moving away from the monotony of long highway stretches and offering a more engaging driving experience as you make your way across Colorado.
97% 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: 238.4 mi on I 70 BUS.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 70 BUS and US 287. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.4 miles in near I 70 BUS.
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 15 significant decision points across 268.1 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 6.4 miles (I 70 BUS): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 239.7 miles (I 76 / Heartland Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 241.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mountain driving with significant elevation changes
Graced by red rock mesas, Grand Junction is a vital part of Colorado's Wine Country. The city lies on the Colorado River at the foot of Grand Mesa, Mount Garfield, and Colorado National Monument. With a population of about 69,000, Grand Junction is the most populous city in the western half of the U.S. state of Colorado and the seat of Mesa County.
Top landmarks
•Cross Orchards Historic Site — place in Colorado listed on National Register of Historic Places
•Handy Chapel — chapel in Grand Junction, Colorado, United States
Longmont is a city of about 100,000 in North Central Colorado. The city lies in Boulder and Weld counties 30 miles (48 km) north-northwest of the Denver.
Top landmarks
•Dickens Opera House — bank building in Longmont, United States of America
•Longmont Carnegie Library — Carnegie library in Longmont, United States of America
•Downtown Longmont Historic District — historic district in Longmont, Colorado
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 15m. Total distance: 268.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 238.4 miles on I 70 BUS. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.24 in tolls one way, starting with Denver–Boulder Turnpike. 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 12 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 Longmont, 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 12 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 6.4 miles (I 70 BUS): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 239.7 miles (I 76 / Heartland Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 241.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Colorado National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Longmont, CO before the return drive.
