Connecting Kremmling to Fort Collins takes you on a 164.7-mile journey through the heart of Colorado’s Mountain West. You should plan for about 2 hours and 52 minutes of travel time, making this an ideal day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. Your route primarily follows South 6th Street, Tyler Avenue, and the Colorado River Headwaters Scenic Byway. Budget roughly $25 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. Because this is a turn-heavy local drive, you will want to be prepared for a more engaged experience behind the wheel compared to a standard interstate cruise.
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
82.2 miles from Kremmling, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 46m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 70
63 mi
1h 15m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
41.7 mi
41m
Colorado River Headwaters Scenic Byway
30.6 mi
40m
North Valley Highway
10.5 mi
12m
CO 9
5.6 mi
9m
Heartland Expressway
5.1 mi
5m
East Mulberry Street
4 mi
7m
Tyler Avenue
1.1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 70
— 63 mi, about 1h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kremmling, CO and Fort Collins, CO.
1
Start on US 40
70 ft·5 sec·Park Avenue
2
Turn right onto CO 9
0.3 mi·34 sec·South 6th Street
Use the right lane.
3
Continue on CO 9
1.1 mi·2 min·Tyler Avenue
4
Continue on CO 9
31 mi·40 min·Colorado River Headwaters Scenic Byway
5
Continue on CO 9
5.3 mi·9 min·CO 9
Use the straight lane.
6
Continue on US 6
0.1 mi·25 sec·US 6
7
Take the exit onto CO 9
0.3 mi·24 sec·CO 9
Toward I 70 EastUse the left lane.
8
Merge onto I 70
63 mi·1 hr 15 min·I 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 76
5.1 mi·5 min·Heartland Expressway
Exit 269BToward I 76 East: Fort MorganUse the left lane.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Exit 5Toward I 25: Fort Collins, Colorado SpringsUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
1.4 mi·2 min
Toward I 25 North: Fort CollinsUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 25
0.9 mi·1 min·North Valley Highway
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 25
4.3 mi·5 min·North Valley Highway
Use the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 25
5.3 mi·5 min·North Valley Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Continue on I 25
42 mi·41 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 269BToward CO 14 West: Fort Collins
17
Merge onto CO 14
4.0 mi·7 min·East Mulberry Street
Use the straight lane.
18
Continue on West Mulberry Street
0.3 mi·45 sec·West Mulberry Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
19
Turn right onto South Meldrum Street
499 ft·29 sec·South Meldrum Street
20
Turn left onto West Magnolia Street
476 ft·18 sec·West Magnolia Street
21
Continue on South Sherwood Street
0.2 mi·39 sec·South Sherwood Street
22
Arrive at destination
South Sherwood Street
Trip Plan
Since the trip takes just under three hours, you have the flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule, though tackling the curves during daylight hours is highly recommended for better visibility. Plan for at least one dedicated stop along the way to break up the technical driving and stretch your legs. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $25 estimate can fluctuate based on your vehicle's efficiency on winding, non-highway terrain. To make the most of this trip, prioritize a steady pace that accounts for the frequent turns, ensuring you arrive in Fort Collins refreshed rather than fatigued from the constant maneuvering.
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 82.2 miles from Kremmling, CO, or about 1h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 63 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 36 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 82.2 miles or 1h 46m 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 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fort Collins, CO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Kremmling, 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 Kremmling, CO
This is one driving day of about 164.4 miles and 3h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Kremmling, 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 63 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 0 and 106 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip|~0m in|CO 9 / South 6th Street
Turn right onto CO 9 / South 6th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
8
37.4 mi into trip|~52m in|CO 9
Take the exit onto CO 9 toward I 70 East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 70 East
8
100.7 mi into trip|~2h 8m 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
8
105.8 mi into trip|~2h 14m in
Take the exit toward I 25: Fort Collins, Colorado Springs
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 5
Toward I 25: Fort Collins, Colorado Springs
7
106 mi into trip|~2h 15m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 25 North: Fort Collins
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 25 North: Fort Collins
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.77 one way
$49.54 round trip
$3.83/gal25.4 MPG avg58 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.05
$26.23
$52.45
premium
$4.39
$28.44
$56.88
diesel
$5.61
$36.30
$72.59
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: 57.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
49.3
0
$17.26
$7.89
Efficient EV
41.1
0
$14.39
$6.58
EV Truck/SUV
65.8
0
$23.02
$10.52
Gas CO2
58 kg
EV CO2
19 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Kremmling, CO
Late night
in Kremmling on Sunday
Local time
2:01 AM
MDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Fort Collins, CO
Late night
in Fort Collins on Sunday
Local time
2:01 AM
MDT
Current temp
44°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
23 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 22m 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?
Expect a hands-on driving experience rather than a monotonous highway slog. This route features zero percent highway share, meaning you will spend the entire 164.7 miles navigating local roads and scenic byways. The road’s personality is defined by its turn-heavy nature, requiring your full attention as you transition between segments like Tyler Avenue and the Colorado River Headwaters Scenic Byway. You won't find long, uninterrupted stretches of open pavement here; instead, the path demands constant adjustments and mindful navigation. It is a technical drive that keeps you connected to the landscape through every curve.
45% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 63 mi on I 70.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near CO 9 / South 6th Street.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 164.4 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: near the start (CO 9 / South 6th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 37.4 miles (CO 9): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 100.7 miles (I 76 / Heartland Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mountain driving with significant elevation changes
11,406 ft4,874 ft
Total Climb
4,207 ft
Total Descent
6,570 ft
Highest Point
11,406 ft
~47 mi in
Elevation Range
6,531 ft
Notable High Points
11,406 ft at ~47 miles+2,574 ft prominence
5,200 ft at ~117.4 miles+19 ft prominence
4,918 ft at ~140.9 miles+20 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 Kremmling, CO to Fort Collins, CO, road signs begin pointing toward Colorado Springs 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 22m. Total distance: 164.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 63 miles on I 70. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Fort Collins, 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: near the start (CO 9 / South 6th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 37.4 miles (CO 9): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 100.7 miles (I 76 / Heartland Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Fort Collins, CO, but most travelers stay overnight.
