This 221.1-mile journey from Burlington, CO, to Fort Collins, CO, is designed for a single day of travel, taking approximately 3 hours and 49 minutes. You'll navigate primarily via the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway and E-470, with East Mulberry Street marking the final approach. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $33. Given its manageable length, it's an ideal day trip, allowing for flexibility in your departure and arrival times. This route stays within the Mountain West region, offering a consistent feel throughout its duration.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
110.6 miles from Burlington, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 52m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 49m. Total distance: 221.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
This drive is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' suggesting a more involved navigation experience rather than a straightforward interstate cruise. With a 0% highway share, expect to be engaging with local roads for the majority of the 221.1 miles. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 188.3 miles on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. This profile indicates a route where you'll be making more frequent turns and potentially adjusting speed to local conditions, offering a more intimate connection with the landscape as you travel.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 188.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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 0.3 miles in near I 70 Business; US 24; US 385 / Rose Avenue.
Driving Effort9/10
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 16 significant decision points across 221.1 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 0.3 miles (I 70 Business; US 24; US 385 / Rose Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 148.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 148.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.3 mi into trip|~1m in|I 70 Business; US 24; US 385 / Rose Avenue
Turn right onto I 70 Business; US 24; US 385 / Rose Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
148.6 mi into trip|~2h 30m 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
148.9 mi into trip|~2h 31m 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
174.3 mi into trip|~2h 57m 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
174.6 mi into trip|~2h 57m 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
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Burlington, 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.
E-470: Colorado Springs
148.6 mi in|~2h 30m
E-470 North: Gun Club Road North
148.9 mi in|~2h 31m
Denver International Airport
148.9 mi in|~2h 31m
E-470 North
148.9 mi in|~2h 31m|via North Gun Club Road
E470 Toll North
149 mi in|~2h 31m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
188.3 mi
3h 8m
E-470
24.9 mi
24m
East Mulberry Street
4 mi
7m
Rose Avenue
0.5 mi
<1m
South Lincoln Street
0.4 mi
<1m
15th Street
0.3 mi
1m
West Mulberry Street
0.3 mi
<1m
I 70 Business
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 188.3 mi, about 3h 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Burlington, CO and Fort Collins, CO.
1
Start on 15th Street
0.3 mi·1 min·15th Street
2
Turn right onto I 70 Business; US 24; US 385
0.5 mi·58 sec·Rose Avenue
Use the straight lane.
3
Turn left onto I 70 Business; US 385
0.4 mi·39 sec·South Lincoln Street
Use the left lane.
4
Take the ramp onto I 70 Business
0.2 mi·25 sec·I 70 Business
Toward I 70 West
5
Merge onto I 70
147 mi·2 hr 27 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight lane.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Exit 289Toward E-470: Colorado Springs, Fort CollinsUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
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.
8
Turn straight onto North Gun Club Road
440 ft·10 sec·North Gun Club Road
Toward E-470 North
9
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·49 sec
Toward E470 Toll NorthUse the straight lane.
10
Merge onto E470
25 mi·24 min·E-470
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·28 sec
Exit 47Toward I 25: Denver, Fort CollinsUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·49 sec
Exit 47Toward I 25 North: Fort Collins
13
Merge onto I 25
41 mi·41 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 269BToward CO 14 West: Fort Collins
15
Merge onto CO 14
4.0 mi·7 min·East Mulberry Street
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on West Mulberry Street
0.3 mi·45 sec·West Mulberry Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
17
Turn right onto South Meldrum Street
499 ft·29 sec·South Meldrum Street
18
Turn left onto West Magnolia Street
476 ft·18 sec·West Magnolia Street
19
Continue on South Sherwood Street
0.2 mi·39 sec·South Sherwood Street
20
Arrive at destination
South Sherwood Street
Trip Plan
For this 3-hour and 49-minute drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize your day in Fort Collins. With only one recommended stop and a total distance of 221.1 miles, you have the flexibility to take your time. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the estimated cost is $33, and plan your refueling stops accordingly. Since it's not an excessively long drive, you can easily complete it in one go, but be mindful of the 'turn-heavy' nature of the route and the longest stretch of 188.3 miles on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, which might require more active navigation.
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 110.6 miles from Burlington, CO, or about 1h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 188.3 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 49 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 110.6 miles or 1h 52m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 4m
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 Burlington, 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 Burlington, CO
This is one driving day of about 221.1 miles and 3h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Burlington, 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 188.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 110.6 mi from Burlington, CO
· 1h 52m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.31 one way
$66.63 round trip
$3.83/gal25.4 MPG avg77 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.05
$35.27
$70.54
premium
$4.39
$38.25
$76.50
diesel
$5.61
$48.82
$97.63
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
$33
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 77.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
66.3
0
$23.22
$10.61
Efficient EV
55.3
0
$19.35
$8.84
EV Truck/SUV
88.4
1
$30.95
$14.15
Gas CO2
77 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Burlington, CO
Evening
in Burlington on Friday
Local time
7:08 PM
MDT
Current temp
47°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Fort Collins, CO
Evening
in Fort Collins on Friday
Local time
7:08 PM
MDT
Current temp
44°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
3 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
3h 49m 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 Burlington, CO to Fort Collins, CO covers 221.1 miles and takes about 3h 49m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, E-470, East Mulberry Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 110.6 miles from Burlington, CO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $33.31 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 221.1 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (I 70 Business; US 24; US 385 / Rose Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 148.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 148.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Burlington, 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.
