Loveland, CO to La Junta, CO is 225.3 miles and takes about 4h 40m via North Valley Highway, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Colorado, transitioning from the Mountain West region to another part of the Mountain West. Expect a drive primarily on surface roads, making it a more relaxed pace compared to interstate travel. With only one recommended stop and a manageable duration, this route is well-suited for a single-day excursion.
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
112.6 miles from Loveland, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 7m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
North Valley Highway
79.5 mi
1h 29m
East Cranston Avenue
27.9 mi
46m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
27.2 mi
27m
Ronald Reagan Highway
22.9 mi
23m
CO 96
20.7 mi
27m
John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
12.9 mi
12m
Monument Valley Freeway
8.8 mi
10m
US 50
7.6 mi
12m
Longest stretch:
North Valley Highway
— 79.5 mi, about 1h 29m
Traffic on I-25
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 46 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~4,638 veh/hr typical
· worst 5,382
Quietest
2 AM
~307 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
15.1×
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 Loveland, CO and La Junta, CO.
1
Start on East 6th Street
131 ft·9 sec·East 6th Street
2
Turn right onto US 287
0.7 mi·1 min·North Cleveland Avenue
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
3
Continue on US 287
0.6 mi·1 min·South Lincoln Avenue
4
Turn left onto CO 402
3.7 mi·6 min·14th Street Southeast
Use the left lane.
5
Continue on CO 402
0.4 mi·41 sec·East State Highway 402
6
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·58 sec
Toward I 25 South
7
Merge onto I 25
27 mi·27 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
8.8 mi·10 min·Monument Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 25; US 24
0.2 mi·12 sec·Ronald Reagan Highway
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 25
23 mi·23 min·Ronald Reagan Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 25
13 mi·12 min·John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 25
1.8 mi·2 min·North Freeway
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
Exit 101Toward US 50 West, CO 47 East: Cañon CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Merge onto CO 47
3.7 mi·4 min·César Chávez Memorial Highway
Use the straight / sharp right lanes.
18
Take the exit
231 ft·6 sec
Use the left lane.
19
Continue on Pete Jimenez Parkway
515 ft·14 sec·Pete Jimenez Parkway
Use the left lane.
20
Continue on William White Boulevard
2.8 mi·4 min·William White Boulevard
21
Turn right onto Paul Harvey Boulevard
0.4 mi·1 min·Paul Harvey Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
22
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
Use the left lane.
23
Merge onto US 50; CO 96
1.0 mi·1 min·US 50; CO 96
Use the straight lane.
24
Continue on US 50; CO 96
6.6 mi·10 min·US 50; CO 96
Use the straight / right lanes.
25
Turn left onto CO 96
21 mi·27 min·CO 96
Use the left lane.
26
Turn right onto CO 167; CR 3
1.7 mi·3 min·CO 167; CR 3
27
Turn left onto US 50
28 mi·46 min·East Cranston Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
28
Take the exit onto West 3rd Street
0.7 mi·1 min·West 3rd Street
Toward 3rd Street
29
Turn right onto Santa Fe Avenue
370 ft·15 sec·Santa Fe Avenue
30
Turn left onto West 4th Street
204 ft·14 sec·West 4th Street
31
Turn left
23 ft·1 sec
32
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Aim to depart Loveland in the morning to take advantage of the 4h 40m drive time and complete the 225.3 miles before evening. The $37 fuel estimate should cover your needs, but it's always wise to top off your tank before leaving Loveland. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing your drive. Since the longest stretch is 79.5 miles on North Valley Highway, consider a brief break around that point if needed. Keep an eye on local road conditions as you approach La Junta.
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 112.6 miles from Loveland, CO, or about 2h 7m 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 50 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 112.6 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 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near La Junta, CO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Loveland, 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 Loveland, CO
This is one driving day of about 225.3 miles and 4h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 miles from Loveland, 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 159 — 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|US 287 / North Cleveland Avenue
Turn right onto US 287 / North Cleveland Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
6
33.7 mi into trip|~39m 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
42.5 mi into trip|~49m 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.
6
121.6 mi into trip|~2h 18m in|I 25 / Ronald Reagan Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 25 / Ronald Reagan Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
159 mi into trip|~2h 56m in
Take the exit toward US 50 West, CO 47 East: Cañon City
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 101
Toward US 50 West, CO 47 East: Cañon City
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.38 one way
$76.76 round trip
$4.33/gal25.4 MPG avg79 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.58
$40.59
$81.18
premium
$4.90
$43.50
$87.00
diesel
$6.18
$54.81
$109.62
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 78.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
67.6
0
$23.66
$10.81
Efficient EV
56.3
0
$19.71
$9.01
EV Truck/SUV
90.1
1
$31.54
$14.42
Gas CO2
79 kg
EV CO2
26 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 Oct 17, 2026
Origin
Loveland, CO
Morning
in Loveland on Sunday
Local time
6:58 AM
MDT
Current temp
74°F
Sunny
SSE 1 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
La Junta, CO
Morning
in La Junta on Sunday
Local time
6:58 AM
MDT
Current temp
21°F
Clear
SW 5 mph0% 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
53 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 40m 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.
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...
24 mi from route
~60 min detour
$10
near mile 116.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive consists of mostly surface roads, with only 18% of the 225.3 miles on highways. You'll experience a longest stretch of 79.5 miles on North Valley Highway before transitioning to other surface roads. Expect less frequent exits and more rural cruising as you leave the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. The majority of your time will be spent navigating local roads.
Only 18% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
32 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?
9/10
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 early in the drive near US 287 / North Cleveland Avenue.
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 21 significant decision points across 225.3 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 (US 287 / North Cleveland Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 33.7 miles (I 25 / North Valley Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 42.5 miles (I 25 / North Valley Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Loveland is a city in the region of Colorado. There is a large population of artists in Loveland, which has drawn three foundries, an art museum, and the annual sculpture shows in August.
The city lies on the Big Thompson River in Larimer County 26 miles (42 km) east of Rocky Mountain National Park and 46 miles (74 km) north of Denver. In 2020, the population of the City of Loveland was 78,000. The city is a popular retirement haven and a major business center.
La Junta is a town in the Eastern Plains of Colorado. It is notable to travelers as the nearest town to Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site, preserving an historically important locale along the Santa Fe Trail.
Top landmarks
•Koshare Indian Museum — museum in La Junta, Colorado
•Wilson A. Hart House — house in La Junta, Colorado
•Daniel Sciumbato Grocery Store — commercial building in La Junta, Colorado
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 40m. Total distance: 225.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 40m 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.
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 La Junta, 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 (US 287 / North Cleveland Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 33.7 miles (I 25 / North Valley Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 42.5 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.3 hours — manageable with a long break at La Junta, CO, but most travelers stay overnight.
