Origin
Alma, CO
Late night in Alma on Saturday
Local time
5:46 AM
MDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Alma, CO to Highland Park, CO
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 23m
Distance
54.9 mi
88 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 17m
★
6 AM
1h 24m
8 AM
1h 37m
10 AM
1h 29m
12 PM
1h 27m
3 PM
1h 29m
5 PM
1h 36m
8 PM
1h 20m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Alma, CO
ThisIsEngineering
Highland Park, CO
Eclipse Chasers
Trip Overview
Alma, CO to Highland Park, CO is 54.9 miles and takes about 1h 23m via US 285, with a fuel budget near $8 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This one-day trip stays within Colorado, connecting two points in the Mountain West region. Expect a drive primarily on US 285, offering a straightforward journey with minimal complications. Given its short duration and moderate fuel cost, this route is ideal for a relaxed day trip, allowing for flexibility in your schedule. It's a practical choice for getting from point A to point B efficiently within the state.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 23m. Total distance: 54.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (76%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
This route leans heavily into highway driving, with 76% of the journey on major roads like US 285. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 42 miles along US 285, providing a good opportunity for consistent speed. The profile is described as a 'Highway-focused drive,' suggesting a generally smooth and predictable experience with fewer turns and distractions. While predominantly highway, segments on CR 43A and North Main Street will introduce you to local road conditions before reaching your destination. This blend offers a balance between efficient travel and a touch of local flavor.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 7 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 285 is the longest continuous segment at about 42 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 285 and CR 43A. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 48 miles in near CR 43A.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Alma, CO to Highland Park, CO is easy. At 1h 23m with 76% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 48 miles (CR 43A): Navigation decision point; at 54.7 miles: Navigation decision point; at 54.8 miles (P72): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
3 of 3 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
48 mi into trip
|
~1h 7m in
|
CR 43A
Turn left onto CR 43A
Navigation decision point
3
54.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 23m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
3
54.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 23m in
|
P72
Continue onto P72
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 285 | 42 mi | 55m |
| CR 43A | 6.7 mi | 16m |
| North Main Street | 6 mi | 11m |
| P72 | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 285
— 42 mi, about 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Alma, CO and Highland Park, CO.
1
Start on CO 9
6.0 mi
·
11 min
·
North Main Street
2
Turn left onto US 285
39 mi
·
51 min
·
US 285
3
Continue on US 285
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
US 285
4
Turn left onto CR 43A
6.7 mi
·
16 min
·
CR 43A
5
Turn right
371 ft
·
16 sec
6
Continue on P72
0.1 mi
·
25 sec
·
P72
7
Arrive at destination
P72
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 27.4 mi from Alma, CO · 39m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
27 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 12 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 27.4 miles from Alma, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Highland Park, CO
The final approach into Highland Park, CO usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$8.27 one way
$16.54 round trip
$3.83/gal
25.4 MPG avg
19 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.05 | $8.76 | $17.52 |
| premium | $4.39 | $9.50 | $18.99 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $12.12 | $24.24 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$8
Estimated CO2 emission: 19.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 16.5 | 0 | $5.76 | $2.64 |
| Efficient EV | 13.7 | 0 | $4.80 | $2.20 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 22 | 0 | $7.69 | $3.51 |
Gas CO2
19 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (68% 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
Highland Park, CO
Late night in Highland Park on Saturday
Local time
5:46 AM
MDT
Current temp
31°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
34°F
Georgetown, CO
27 mi in
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
16 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
1h 23m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Alma, CO to Highland Park, CO covers 54.9 miles and takes about 1h 23m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 285, CR 43A, North Main Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 27.4 miles from Alma, CO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $8.27 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
The drive from Alma, CO to Highland Park, CO is easy. At 1h 23m with 76% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 48 miles (CR 43A): Navigation decision point; at 54.7 miles: Navigation decision point; at 54.8 miles (P72): Navigation decision point.
The route from Alma, CO to Highland Park, CO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh 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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