Springfield to Fort Collins is 308.6 miles and takes about 5h 48m via Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway and US 287, with a fuel budget near $53 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Colorado, moving north through the Mountain West region. Expect a mix of highway speeds and surface street cruising, making it a manageable single-day trip. It's a straightforward path that connects two Colorado points without significant detours, ideal if you're looking for efficiency.
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
154.3 miles from Springfield, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 5m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
114.3 mi
1h 54m
US 287
108 mi
2h 7m
Main Street
48.9 mi
1h
E-470
24.9 mi
24m
US 50
5.7 mi
7m
East Mulberry Street
4 mi
7m
West Mulberry Street
0.3 mi
<1m
South Sherwood Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 114.3 mi, about 1h 54m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 12 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~948 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,756
Quietest
2 AM
~93 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 104 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 Springfield, CO and Fort Collins, CO.
1
Start on East 6th Avenue
0.1 mi·32 sec·East 6th Avenue
2
Turn right onto US 287; US 385
49 mi·1 hr·Main Street
Use the straight lane.
3
Continue on US 50; US 287
5.7 mi·7 min·US 50; US 287
Use the straight lane.
4
Take the exit onto US 287
0.4 mi·32 sec·US 287
Toward US 287 North: LimonUse the slight right lane.
5
Keep slight right at fork onto US 287
108 mi·2 hr 6 min·US 287
Toward US 287 North: LimonUse the straight lane.
6
Turn left
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward I 70 West: Denver
7
Merge onto I 70
73 mi·1 hr 13 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight lane.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Exit 289Toward E-470: Colorado Springs, Fort CollinsUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork
239 ft·5 sec
Exit 289Toward E-470 North: Gun Club Road North, Fort Collins, Denver International AirportUse the straight / right lanes.
10
Turn straight onto North Gun Club Road
440 ft·10 sec·North Gun Club Road
Toward E-470 North
11
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·49 sec
Toward E470 Toll NorthUse the straight lane.
12
Merge onto E470
25 mi·24 min·E-470
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·28 sec
Exit 47Toward I 25: Denver, Fort CollinsUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·49 sec
Exit 47Toward I 25 North: Fort Collins
15
Merge onto I 25
41 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
Aim to depart Springfield in the morning to allow ample time to reach Fort Collins before evening. With a drive time under six hours, you can comfortably complete this trip in one day, but if you prefer a more relaxed pace, consider a brief stop around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially as you move from the highway onto US 287, as services can become less frequent in certain stretches. The estimated fuel cost of $53 should help you budget accordingly for this drive.
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 154.3 miles from Springfield, CO, or about 3h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 114.3 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 68 miles or 1h 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 154.3 miles or 3h 5m 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 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 Springfield, 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 Springfield, CO
This is one driving day of about 308.6 miles and 5h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 miles from Springfield, 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 Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for about 114.3 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 261.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|US 287; US 385 / Main Street
Turn right onto US 287; US 385 / Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
55 mi into trip|~1h 8m in|US 287
Keep slight right at fork onto US 287 toward US 287 North: Limon
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward US 287 North: Limon
8
236.1 mi into trip|~4h 29m in
Take the exit toward E-470: Colorado Springs, Fort Collins
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 289
Toward E-470: Colorado Springs, Fort Collins
10
236.4 mi into trip|~4h 29m in
Keep slight right at fork toward E-470 North: Gun Club Road North, Fort Collins, Denver International Airport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 289
Toward E-470 North: Gun Club Road North, Fort C...
8
261.8 mi into trip|~4h 55m in
Take the exit toward I 25: Denver, Fort Collins
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 47
Toward I 25: Denver, Fort Collins
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$52.57 one way
$105.14 round trip
$4.33/gal25.4 MPG avg108 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.58
$55.60
$111.19
premium
$4.90
$59.58
$119.16
diesel
$6.18
$75.07
$150.14
Estimated Tolls: $2.98
E-470
(24.9 mi)$2.98
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
$53
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$81–$106
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 108 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
92.6
1
$32.40
$14.81
Efficient EV
77.2
0
$27.00
$12.34
EV Truck/SUV
123.4
1
$43.20
$19.75
Gas CO2
108 kg
EV CO2
36 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Springfield, CO
Morning
in Springfield on Saturday
Local time
9:29 AM
MDT
Current temp
25°F
Clear
SW 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 12:32AM MDT until October 17 at 9:00AM MDT by NWS Pueblo CO
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 9:15PM MDT until October 17 at 9:00AM MDT by NWS Grand Junction CO
Destination
Fort Collins, CO
Morning
in Fort Collins on Saturday
Local time
9:29 AM
MDT
Current temp
32°F
Clear
NNW 3 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 12:32AM MDT until October 17 at 9:00AM MDT by NWS Pueblo CO
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 9:15PM MDT until October 17 at 9:00AM 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
7 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 48m 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 route is 37% highway, with the longest stretch covering 114.3 miles on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. You'll experience highway driving for a significant portion before transitioning to surface roads, including Main Street in some sections. Be prepared for a shift from open highway cruising to navigating through towns and more developed areas as you approach your destination.
37% 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: 114.3 mi on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 around 0.1 miles in near US 287; US 385 / Main Street.
Driving Effort10/10
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 17 significant decision points across 308.6 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 0.1 miles (US 287; US 385 / Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 55 miles (US 287): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 236.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
5,732 ft3,708 ft
Total Climb
2,327 ft
Total Descent
1,685 ft
Highest Point
5,732 ft
~176.7 mi in
Elevation Range
2,025 ft
Notable High Points
4,399 ft at ~22.1 miles+36 ft prominence
5,732 ft at ~176.7 miles+516 ft prominence
5,475 ft at ~220.8 miles+75 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Springfield, CO and Fort Collins, CO, road signs point toward E-470: Colorado Springs, E-470 North: Gun Club Road North, Denver International Airport, E-470 North and E470 Toll North.
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 5h 48m. Total distance: 308.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 114.3 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.98 in tolls one way, starting with E-470. 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 14 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 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. There are 14 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (US 287; US 385 / Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 55 miles (US 287): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 236.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.8 hours each way, a round trip means 11.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Fort Collins, CO before the return drive.
