Longmont, CO to Rifle, CO is 208.5 miles and takes about 4h 6m via I 70, with a fuel budget near $34 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Colorado, connecting two points in the Mountain West region. Given that it's a mostly highway route, you can expect a relatively straightforward trip. With a recommended one-day drive, it's well-suited for a quick transit or the start of a larger adventure. Plan for a fuel cost around $34 based on typical prices.
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
104.2 miles from Longmont, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 7m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 70
179.1 mi
3h 22m
Main Street
17.3 mi
25m
Sheridan Boulevard
4.3 mi
7m
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
3.9 mi
4m
Heartland Expressway
1.3 mi
1m
CO 121
0.5 mi
1m
CO 13
0.5 mi
1m
Railroad Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 70
— 179.1 mi, about 3h 22m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 36 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,734 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,394
Quietest
2 AM
~94 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
18.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 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 Longmont, CO and Rifle, CO.
1
Start on this road
63 ft·10 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto 5th Avenue
172 ft·9 sec·5th Avenue
3
Turn left onto US 287
17 mi·25 min·Main Street
Use the left lane.
4
Continue on CO 121
0.5 mi·1 min·CO 121
5
Turn left
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward US 36 East: DenverUse the left lane.
6
Merge onto US 36
1.2 mi·1 min·Denver–Boulder Turnpike
7
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
1.9 mi·2 min·Denver–Boulder Turnpike
8
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
0.8 mi·53 sec·Denver–Boulder Turnpike
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward CO 95 South: Sheridan BoulevardUse the slight right lane.
10
Turn right onto CO 95
4.3 mi·7 min·Sheridan Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
11
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward I 76 West
12
Merge onto I 76
1.3 mi·1 min·Heartland Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 70
179 mi·3 hr 22 min·I 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward CO 13 North: Rifle, Meeker
15
Turn right onto CO 13
0.5 mi·1 min·CO 13
16
Continue on Railroad Avenue
0.3 mi·48 sec·Railroad Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Arrive at destination
Railroad Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour duration, departing in the morning from Longmont will allow you to reach Rifle with plenty of daylight remaining. The route is primarily highway, so you can largely set your own pace, but be mindful of the longest stretch of 179.1 miles on I 70, which means fewer opportunities for quick breaks. Consider fueling up before you leave Longmont or at a major exit along I 70 to manage your $34 fuel budget efficiently. Since this is a one-day trip, you have flexibility to stop if needed, but the direct nature of the drive means you can also make good time.
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 104.2 miles from Longmont, CO, or about 2h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 179.1 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 46 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 104.2 miles or 2h 7m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Rifle, CO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Longmont, 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 Longmont, CO
This is one driving day of about 208.5 miles and 4h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from Longmont, 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 179.1 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 17.9 and 28.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
17.9 mi into trip|~26m in
Turn left toward US 36 East: Denver
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward US 36 East: Denver
6
22.1 mi into trip|~31m in
Take the exit toward CO 95 South: Sheridan Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward CO 95 South: Sheridan Boulevard
5
22.4 mi into trip|~32m in|CO 95 / Sheridan Boulevard
Turn right onto CO 95 / Sheridan Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
27 mi into trip|~40m in|I 76 / Heartland Expressway
Merge onto I 76 / Heartland Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
28.3 mi into trip|~41m in|I 70
Merge onto I 70
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.52 one way
$71.04 round trip
$4.33/gal25.4 MPG avg73 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.58
$37.56
$75.13
premium
$4.90
$40.26
$80.51
diesel
$6.18
$50.72
$101.44
Estimated Tolls: $0.27
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
(3.9 mi)$0.27
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
$36
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 73 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
62.6
0
$21.89
$10.01
Efficient EV
52.1
0
$18.24
$8.34
EV Truck/SUV
83.4
1
$29.19
$13.34
Gas CO2
73 kg
EV CO2
24 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 Oct 18, 2026
Origin
Longmont, CO
Morning
in Longmont on Sunday
Local time
7:37 AM
MDT
Current temp
41°F
Clear
W 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Rifle, CO
Morning
in Rifle on Sunday
Local time
7:37 AM
MDT
Current temp
40°F
Partly Cloudy
0 mph0% chanceLive forecast
31°F
Alma, CO
104 mi in
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
1 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
4h 6m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is 89% highway, meaning you'll spend most of your time on I 70. You'll experience a long stretch of 179.1 miles on I 70 before transitioning to surface streets like Main Street and Sheridan Boulevard as you approach Rifle. Expect frequent exits and varied traffic patterns as you navigate from rural interstate cruising to town access.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 179.1 mi on I 70.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 70 and Main Street. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 17.9 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 208.5 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 17.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 22.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 22.4 miles (CO 95 / Sheridan Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mountain driving with significant elevation changes
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 4h 6m. Total distance: 208.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 179.1 miles on I 70. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.27 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 10 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 Rifle, 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 10 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 17.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 22.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 22.4 miles (CO 95 / Sheridan Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Rifle, CO, but most travelers stay overnight.
