Origin
Boulder, CO
Morning in Boulder on Saturday
Local time
10:25 AM
MDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Boulder, CO to Fort Morgan, CO
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 44m
Distance
95.6 mi
154 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 37m
★
6 AM
1h 44m
8 AM
2h 0m
10 AM
1h 50m
12 PM
1h 48m
3 PM
1h 51m
5 PM
1h 59m
8 PM
1h 40m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Boulder, CO
Wikimedia Commons
Fort Morgan, CO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Boulder, CO to Fort Morgan, CO covers 95.6 miles and takes about 1h 44m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Heartland Expressway, E-470, Northwest Parkway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 61.1 miles on Heartland Expressway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $14.40 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
47.8 miles from Boulder, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 55m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 44m. Total distance: 95.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 1h 44m highway drive covering 95.6 miles, with most of the trip on Heartland Expressway and E-470. The longest continuous stretch is about 61.1 miles on Heartland Expressway.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Heartland Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 61.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Heartland Expressway and E-470. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 9.7 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 95.6 miles you will encounter 20 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 9.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 30.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 20 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
9.7 mi into trip
|
~13m in
Take the exit toward Northwest Parkway, Interlocken Loop
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Northwest Parkway, Interlocken Loop
7
10 mi into trip
|
~13m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Northwest Parkway, RTD Park-n-Ride, Louisville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Northwest Parkway, RTD Park-n-Ride, Loui...
7
30.9 mi into trip
|
~35m in
Take the exit toward 120th Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 34
Toward 120th Avenue
7
31.5 mi into trip
|
~37m in
Turn left toward E 470 Toll North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward E 470 Toll North
7
32.3 mi into trip
|
~38m in
Take the exit toward I 76 East: Fort Morgan
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 35
Toward I 76 East: Fort Morgan
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Boulder, CO and Fort Morgan, CO, road signs point toward Rtd Park-N-Ride, Louisville and E 470 Toll North.
Rtd Park-N-Ride
10 mi in
|
~13m
Louisville
10 mi in
|
~13m
E 470 Toll North
31.5 mi in
|
~37m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Heartland Expressway | 61.1 mi | 1h 1m |
| E-470 | 11.7 mi | 11m |
| Northwest Parkway | 9.5 mi | 10m |
| Denver–Boulder Turnpike | 8.3 mi | 9m |
| Main Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| 28th Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Arapahoe Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| East 120th Avenue | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Heartland Expressway
— 61.1 mi, about 1h 1m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Boulder, CO and Fort Morgan, CO.
1
Start on this road
87 ft
·
6 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto 19th Street
143 ft
·
13 sec
·
19th Street
3
Turn left onto Arapahoe Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Arapahoe Avenue
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
4
Turn right onto US 36
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
28th Street
5
Turn straight onto US 36
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
7
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
8
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
0.6 mi
·
41 sec
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
Toward Northwest Parkway, Interlocken Loop
Use the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
221 ft
·
7 sec
Toward Northwest Parkway, RTD Park-n-Ride, Louisville
11
Turn left onto Interlocken Loop
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
Interlocken Loop
Use the left / straight lanes.
12
Continue on NW
9.5 mi
·
10 min
·
Northwest Parkway
Use the left lane.
13
Continue on E470
11 mi
·
11 min
·
E-470
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
Exit 34
Toward 120th Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Turn left onto East 120th Avenue
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
·
East 120th Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
16
Turn left
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
Toward E 470 Toll North
Use the left lane.
17
Merge onto E470
0.5 mi
·
27 sec
·
E-470
18
Take the exit
1.1 mi
·
1 min
Exit 35
Toward I 76 East: Fort Morgan
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto I 76
61 mi
·
1 hr 1 min
·
Heartland Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward CO 52: Fort Morgan, New Raymer
21
Turn right onto CO 52
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
Use the straight lane.
22
Turn left onto East Beaver Avenue
369 ft
·
12 sec
·
East Beaver Avenue
23
Turn right onto State Street
364 ft
·
9 sec
·
State Street
24
Arrive at destination
State Street
Trip Plan
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 47.8 miles from Boulder, CO, or about 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 61.1 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 21 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 47.8 miles or 55m 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 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fort Morgan, CO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Boulder, CO so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Boulder, CO
This is one driving day of about 95.6 miles and 1h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Boulder, CO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Heartland Expressway for about 61.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 47.8 mi from Boulder, CO · 55m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
48 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 21 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 47.8 miles from Boulder, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Heartland Expressway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 61.1 miles.
Arriving in Fort Morgan, CO
The final approach into Fort Morgan, 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
$14.40 one way
$28.81 round trip
$3.83/gal
25.4 MPG avg
33 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.05 | $15.25 | $30.50 |
| premium | $4.39 | $16.54 | $33.08 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $21.11 | $42.21 |
Estimated Tolls: $3.11
E-470
(11.7 mi)
$1.40
Northwest Parkway
(9.5 mi)
$1.14
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
(8.3 mi)
$0.57
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
$14
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 33.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 28.7 | 0 | $10.04 | $4.59 |
| Efficient EV | 23.9 | 0 | $8.36 | $3.82 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 38.2 | 0 | $13.38 | $6.12 |
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (67% 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
Fort Morgan, CO
Morning in Fort Morgan on Saturday
Local time
10:25 AM
MDT
Current temp
42°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
30 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 44m 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 Boulder, CO to Fort Morgan, CO covers 95.6 miles and takes about 1h 44m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Heartland Expressway, E-470, Northwest Parkway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 47.8 miles from Boulder, CO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $14.40 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 95.6 miles you will encounter 20 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 9.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 30.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Boulder, CO and Fort Morgan, CO, road signs point toward Rtd Park-N-Ride, Louisville and E 470 Toll North.
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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