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Trip from The Pinery, CO to Loveland, CO

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 34m

Distance

82.5 mi

133 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$12

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 22 min
4 AM
1h 27m ★
6 AM
1h 35m
8 AM
1h 49m
10 AM
1h 40m
12 PM
1h 38m
3 PM
1h 40m
5 PM
1h 48m
8 PM
1h 30m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown The Pinery, CO, CO

The Pinery, CO

Alexander Hamilton

Downtown Loveland, CO, CO

Loveland, CO

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 82.5-mile drive from The Pinery to Loveland, Colorado, is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 34 minutes. Primarily utilizing E-470 and the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, you'll spend a good portion of your time on faster roads, though South Parker Road adds a local flavor. With an estimated fuel cost of $12, this route is budget-friendly and perfectly suited for a single-day excursion. Since you're staying within the Mountain West region, you won't experience dramatic landscape shifts, but rather a consistent drive through familiar Colorado terrain. It's a practical option for getting from point A to point B without much fuss.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

41.2 miles from The Pinery, CO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 47m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
E-470 40.1 mi 40m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway 26.9 mi 26m
South Parker Road 6.6 mi 10m
14th Street Southeast 3.7 mi 6m
South Lincoln Avenue 1.3 mi 2m
Lakeview Drive 1.3 mi 3m
East State Highway 402 0.6 mi 1m
North Pinery Parkway 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: E-470 — 40.1 mi, about 40m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between The Pinery, CO and Loveland, CO.

1

Start on this road

61 ft · 6 sec · this road
2

Turn right onto Mountain View Drive

412 ft · 20 sec · Mountain View Drive
3

Turn right onto Lakeview Drive

1.3 mi · 3 min · Lakeview Drive
4

Turn left onto North Pinery Parkway

0.2 mi · 31 sec · North Pinery Parkway
5

Turn right onto CO 83

6.6 mi · 10 min · South Parker Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
6

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 33 sec
Toward E470 Toll, I 70: Limon, Denver International Airport
7

Merge onto E470

40 mi · 40 min · E-470
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 28 sec
Exit 47 Toward I 25: Denver, Fort Collins Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Keep slight right at fork

0.5 mi · 49 sec
Exit 47 Toward I 25 North: Fort Collins
10

Merge onto I 25

27 mi · 26 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 29 sec
Exit 255 Toward SH 402: Loveland and Greeley Canal
12

Keep slight left at fork

214 ft · 5 sec
Exit 255 Toward SH 402: Loveland and Greeley Canal
13

Enter roundabout onto CO 402

252 ft · 14 sec · East State Highway 402
14

Continue on CO 402

0.1 mi · 11 sec · East State Highway 402
15

Enter roundabout onto CO 402

144 ft · 8 sec · East State Highway 402
16

Continue on CO 402

0.4 mi · 46 sec · East State Highway 402
17

Continue on CO 402

3.7 mi · 6 min · 14th Street Southeast
18

Take the ramp

183 ft · 5 sec
19

Merge onto US 287

1.3 mi · 2 min · South Lincoln Avenue
20

Turn left onto East 6th Street

501 ft · 23 sec · East 6th Street
21

Arrive at destination

East 6th Street

Trip Plan

Given the short duration of 1 hour and 34 minutes, this 82.5-mile trip from The Pinery to Loveland is best tackled as a single-day adventure, offering plenty of flexibility. Aim to leave in the morning to avoid potential afternoon traffic, especially as you approach Loveland. With no designated stops, you can tailor your breaks as needed, perhaps pausing for a quick stretch after the longest stretch of 40.1 miles on E-470. The fuel cost is a modest $12, so you won't need to worry much about refueling. A practical tip for this route is to be mindful of the transition from E-470 to the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, as this is where the "turn-heavy" nature of the drive becomes most apparent.

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 41.2 miles from The Pinery, CO, or about 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 40.1 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 18 miles or 23m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 41.2 miles or 47m 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 16m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Loveland, CO than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving The Pinery, CO so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from The Pinery, CO

This is one driving day of about 82.5 miles and 1h 34m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from The Pinery, CO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on E-470 for about 40.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Aurora, CO, CO

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Aurora, CO

41 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.

Popular next leg

Aurora, CO to Loveland, CO

56.7 mi · 1h 11m

Pacing Suggestions

Parker, CO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 18 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Brighton, CO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 41.2 miles from The Pinery, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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 14

5 decision points cluster between mile 1.5 and 76.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
1.5 mi into trip | ~4m in | CO 83 / South Parker Road

Turn right onto CO 83 / South Parker Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left / straight lanes.
5
8.1 mi into trip | ~14m in

Take the exit toward E470 Toll, I 70: Limon, Denver International Airport

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward E470 Toll, I 70: Limon, Denver Internati...
8
48.8 mi into trip | ~54m 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
6
49.1 mi into trip | ~55m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 25 North: Fort Collins

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Exit 47 Toward I 25 North: Fort Collins
7
76.7 mi into trip | ~1h 23m in

Keep slight left at fork toward SH 402: Loveland and Greeley Canal

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Exit 255 Toward SH 402: Loveland and Greeley Canal

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$12.43 one way

$24.86 round trip

$3.83/gal 25.4 MPG avg 29 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.05 $13.16 $26.32
premium $4.39 $14.27 $28.54
diesel $5.61 $18.21 $36.43

Estimated Tolls: $4.82

E-470 (40.1 mi) $4.82

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

$12

Tolls

$5

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$42–$67

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 28.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 24.8 0 $8.66 $3.96
Efficient EV 20.6 0 $7.22 $3.30
EV Truck/SUV 33 0 $11.55 $5.28

Gas CO2

29 kg

EV CO2

10 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.

Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026

Origin

The Pinery, CO

Late night in The Pinery on Sunday

Local time

3:57 AM

MDT

Current temp

73°F

Mostly Sunny

SW 10 to 20 mph 3% chance Live forecast

Red Flag Warning

Red Flag Warning issued April 16 at 2:53AM MDT until April 16 at 8:00PM MDT by NWS Goodland KS

Freeze Watch

Freeze Watch issued April 16 at 2:37AM MDT until April 18 at 8:00AM MDT by NWS Denver CO

Destination

Loveland, CO

Late night in Loveland on Sunday

Local time

3:57 AM

MDT

Current temp

75°F

Partly Sunny

SSW 7 to 18 mph 2% chance Live forecast

Red Flag Warning

Red Flag Warning issued April 16 at 2:53AM MDT until April 16 at 8:00PM MDT by NWS Goodland KS

Freeze Watch

Freeze Watch issued April 16 at 2:37AM MDT until April 18 at 8:00AM MDT by NWS Denver 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

2 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

1h 34m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a "turn-heavy local drive" for much of this 82.5-mile journey. While the highway share is 100%, meaning you'll be on major roads, the profile suggests a route that involves more directional changes than a simple point-to-point interstate. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 40.1 miles on E-470, offering a period of consistent travel. However, be prepared for the dynamic nature of this route, which blends highway speeds with the need for attention to turns and exits, particularly on South Parker Road. This isn't a monotonous cruise but rather an engaging drive that keeps you involved.

Only 1% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 40.1 mi on E-470.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

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 around 1.5 miles in near CO 83 / South Parker Road.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 82.5 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 1.5 miles (CO 83 / South Parker Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 8.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 48.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between The Pinery, CO and Loveland, CO, road signs point toward E470 Toll, Denver International Airport, Fort Collins and Sh 402: Loveland And Greeley Canal.

E470 Toll

8.1 mi in | ~14m

Denver International Airport

8.1 mi in | ~14m

Fort Collins

48.8 mi in | ~54m

Sh 402: Loveland And Greeley Canal

76.5 mi in | ~1h 22m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 34m. Total distance: 82.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 40.1 miles on E-470. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $4.82 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.

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 Loveland, CO before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.

The main spots that need attention: at 1.5 miles (CO 83 / South Parker Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 8.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 48.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Loveland, 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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