Origin
Sterling, CO
Night in Sterling on Saturday
Local time
10:33 PM
MDT
Current temp
83°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Sterling, CO to Longmont, CO
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 24m
Distance
125 mi
201 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 14m
★
6 AM
2h 24m
8 AM
2h 44m
10 AM
2h 31m
12 PM
2h 29m
3 PM
2h 32m
5 PM
2h 43m
8 PM
2h 18m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Sterling, CO
Wikimedia Commons
Longmont, CO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 125-mile journey from Sterling, Colorado, to Longmont, Colorado, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 24 minutes. The route primarily utilizes I-76 for a significant portion, making it a highway-focused drive. With a fuel cost estimated at $19, this is an economical option for a quick cross-state excursion within the Mountain West region. Given its relatively short duration and straightforward path, you won't need to plan for an overnight stay. This drive offers a practical and efficient way to travel between these two Colorado towns.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
62.5 miles from Sterling, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 4m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 76 | 92.7 mi | 1h 32m |
| 1st Street | 9.7 mi | 16m |
| East Bison Highway | 8.3 mi | 13m |
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 4.5 mi | 4m |
| Highway 119 | 3.1 mi | 3m |
| East 3rd Avenue | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| East Ken Pratt Boulevard | 1.6 mi | 1m |
| East Chestnut Street | 1.4 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 76
— 92.7 mi, about 1h 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sterling, CO and Longmont, CO.
1
Start on this road
240 ft
·
22 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto North 3rd Street
277 ft
·
11 sec
·
North 3rd Street
3
Turn right onto US 6
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
East Chestnut Street
4
Continue on US 6
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
US Highway 6
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Toward I 76 West
6
Merge onto I 76
93 mi
·
1 hr 32 min
·
I 76
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Exit 31
Toward CO 52: Hudson
8
Enter roundabout onto CO 52
24 ft
·
0 sec
·
East Bison Highway
9
Continue on CO 52
0.3 mi
·
24 sec
·
East Bison Highway
10
Enter roundabout onto CO 52
133 ft
·
2 sec
·
East Bison Highway
11
Continue on CO 52
8.0 mi
·
12 min
·
East Bison Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Continue on CO 52
9.7 mi
·
16 min
·
1st Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Toward I 25 North: Fort Collins
Use the right lane.
14
Merge onto I 25
4.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
Exit 240
Toward CO 119 West: Firestone Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork
290 ft
·
7 sec
Toward CO 119 West: Longmont
17
Turn left onto CO 119
3.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Highway 119
Use the left / straight lanes.
18
Continue on CO 119
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East Ken Pratt Boulevard
19
Take the exit
226 ft
·
6 sec
20
Turn right onto East 3rd Avenue
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
East 3rd Avenue
Use the right lane.
21
Turn right onto Kimbark Street
0.2 mi
·
55 sec
·
Kimbark Street
22
Turn left
186 ft
·
15 sec
23
Turn right
109 ft
·
7 sec
24
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 2-hour and 24-minute drive, leaving in the morning is recommended to maximize your day upon arrival in Longmont. Since there are no designated stops, you have flexibility to pull over as needed, especially during the 92.7-mile stretch on I-76. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $19, and plan your refueling accordingly before embarking on the longer interstate segments. It's a manageable distance, so a single day trip is ideal, allowing you to explore Longmont without the pressure of a long journey.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 62.5 miles from Sterling, CO, or about 1h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 92.7 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 28 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 62.5 miles or 1h 4m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 49m
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 Sterling, 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 Sterling, CO
This is one driving day of about 125 miles and 2h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Sterling, CO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 76 for about 92.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
63 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 28 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 62.5 miles from Sterling, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 76 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 92.7 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 185 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 118 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
North 3rd Street
Turn left onto North 3rd Street
Navigation decision point
5
94.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 37m in
Take the exit toward CO 52: Hudson
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 31
Toward CO 52: Hudson
5
95 mi into trip
|
~1h 37m in
|
CO 52 / East Bison Highway
Enter roundabout onto CO 52 / East Bison Highway
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
7
117.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 12m in
Take the exit toward CO 119 West: Firestone Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 240
Toward CO 119 West: Firestone Boulevard
6
118 mi into trip
|
~2h 13m in
Keep slight left at fork toward CO 119 West: Longmont
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward CO 119 West: Longmont
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.83 one way
$37.67 round trip
$3.83/gal
25.4 MPG avg
44 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.05 | $19.94 | $39.88 |
| premium | $4.39 | $21.62 | $43.25 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $27.60 | $55.20 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 43.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 37.5 | 0 | $13.13 | $6.00 |
| Efficient EV | 31.3 | 0 | $10.94 | $5.00 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 50 | 0 | $17.50 | $8.00 |
Gas CO2
44 kg
EV CO2
15 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Longmont, CO
Night in Longmont on Saturday
Local time
10:33 PM
MDT
Current temp
79°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
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
2h 24m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for about 77% of this trip, predominantly on I-76. You'll experience a longest uninterrupted stretch of 92.7 miles on I-76, offering a consistent pace. While the majority of the route is on faster roads, transitions onto 1st Street and East Bison Highway will introduce you to local driving conditions. This blend means you'll cover ground efficiently on the interstate before navigating more localized roads closer to your destination. The character of the drive is largely about covering distance with ease.
77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 92.7 mi on I 76.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 76 and 1st Street. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near North 3rd Street.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 125 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 (North 3rd Street): Navigation decision point; at 94.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 95 miles (CO 52 / East Bison Highway): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 24m. Total distance: 125 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 92.7 miles on I 76. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (North 3rd Street): Navigation decision point; at 94.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 95 miles (CO 52 / East Bison Highway): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Longmont, CO before heading back.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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