Origin
Carbondale, CO
Afternoon in Carbondale on Thursday
Local time
1:02 PM
MDT
Current temp
34°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Carbondale, CO to Longmont, CO
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
4h 5m
Distance
195.9 mi
315 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 52m
★
6 AM
4h 5m
8 AM
4h 31m
10 AM
4h 14m
12 PM
4h 12m
3 PM
4h 16m
5 PM
4h 30m
8 PM
3h 58m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Carbondale, CO
Jacob Moore
Longmont, CO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Carbondale, CO to Longmont, CO covers 195.9 miles and takes about 4h 5m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 70, US 287, CO 82 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 153.2 miles on I 70. At current regular gas prices, budget about $29.52 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
97.9 miles from Carbondale, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 2m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 5m. Total distance: 195.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 4h 5m highway drive covering 195.9 miles, with most of the trip on I 70 and US 287. The longest continuous stretch is about 153.2 miles on I 70.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 36 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 70 is the longest continuous segment at about 153.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 70 and US 287. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 11.6 miles in near 27th Street.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 24 significant decision points across 195.9 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 11.6 miles (27th Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 11.7 miles (Midland Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 14.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 24 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
11.6 mi into trip
|
~20m in
|
27th Street
Enter roundabout onto 27th Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
11.7 mi into trip
|
~20m in
|
Midland Avenue
Enter roundabout onto Midland Avenue
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
14.1 mi into trip
|
~25m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
8
167.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 23m in
|
I 76 / Heartland Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 76 / Heartland Expressway toward I 76 East: Fort Morgan
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Exit 269B
Toward I 76 East: Fort Morgan
7
168.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 24m in
Take the exit toward CO 95: Sheridan Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 1B
Toward CO 95: Sheridan Boulevard
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 70 | 153.2 mi | 2h 57m |
| US 287 | 17.3 mi | 25m |
| CO 82 | 9.9 mi | 16m |
| Sheridan Boulevard | 4.6 mi | 7m |
| Denver–Boulder Turnpike | 3.6 mi | 4m |
| Midland Avenue | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| Heartland Expressway | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| CO 133 | 0.9 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 70
— 153.2 mi, about 2h 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carbondale, CO and Longmont, CO.
1
Start on Merrill Avenue
32 ft
·
1 sec
·
Merrill Avenue
2
Continue on North 4th Street
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
·
North 4th Street
3
Turn right onto Main Street
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
·
Main Street
4
Enter roundabout
17 ft
·
0 sec
5
Continue
463 ft
·
9 sec
6
Continue on CO 133
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
CO 133
7
Continue on CO 133
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
CO 133
8
Turn left onto CO 82
9.9 mi
·
16 min
·
CO 82
Use the straight lane.
9
Turn left onto 27th Street
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
27th Street
Use the left lane.
10
Enter roundabout onto 27th Street
86 ft
·
1 sec
·
27th Street
11
Continue on 27th Street
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
·
27th Street
12
Enter roundabout onto Midland Avenue
13 ft
·
0 sec
·
Midland Avenue
13
Continue on Midland Avenue
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Midland Avenue
14
Turn right onto West 8th Street
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
·
West 8th Street
15
Turn left onto CO 82
0.2 mi
·
41 sec
·
Grand Avenue
16
Continue on CO 82
0.1 mi
·
38 sec
·
Laurel Street
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
18
Merge onto I 70
153 mi
·
2 hr 57 min
·
I 70
Use the straight lane.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 76
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Heartland Expressway
Exit 269B
Toward I 76 East: Fort Morgan
Use the left lane.
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 1B
Toward CO 95: Sheridan Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Turn left onto CO 95
4.6 mi
·
7 min
·
Sheridan Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
22
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward US 36 West: Boulder
Use the left lane.
23
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Toward US 36 West
24
Merge onto US 36
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
25
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
0.8 mi
·
52 sec
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
27
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
42 sec
Toward CO 121: Wadsworth Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Turn right onto CO 121
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
CO 121
29
Continue on US 287
5.7 mi
·
8 min
·
US 287
Use the left lane.
30
Continue on US 287
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
US 287
Use the straight / right lanes.
31
Continue on US 287; CO 7
11 mi
·
16 min
·
US 287; CO 7
Use the straight / right lanes.
32
Turn right onto 5th Avenue
357 ft
·
19 sec
·
5th Avenue
33
Turn right onto Kimbark Street
169 ft
·
9 sec
·
Kimbark Street
34
Turn right
186 ft
·
15 sec
35
Turn right
109 ft
·
7 sec
36
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
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 97.9 miles from Carbondale, CO, or about 2h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 153.2 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 43 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 97.9 miles or 2h 2m 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 15m
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 Carbondale, 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 Carbondale, CO
This is one driving day of about 195.9 miles and 4h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 miles from Carbondale, 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 I 70 for about 153.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 97.9 mi from Carbondale, CO · 2h 2m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
98 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 43 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 97.9 miles from Carbondale, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 70 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 153.2 miles.
Arriving in Longmont, CO
The final approach into Longmont, CO usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Longmont, CO.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.52 one way
$59.03 round trip
$3.83/gal
25.4 MPG avg
69 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.05 | $31.25 | $62.50 |
| premium | $4.39 | $33.89 | $67.78 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $43.25 | $86.50 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.24
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
(3.6 mi)
$0.24
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
$30
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 68.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 58.8 | 0 | $20.57 | $9.40 |
| Efficient EV | 49 | 0 | $17.14 | $7.84 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 78.4 | 0 | $27.43 | $12.54 |
Gas CO2
69 kg
EV CO2
23 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
Longmont, CO
Afternoon in Longmont on Thursday
Local time
1:02 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
45 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
4h 5m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Carbondale, CO to Longmont, CO covers 195.9 miles and takes about 4h 5m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 70, US 287, CO 82. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 97.9 miles from Carbondale, CO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $29.52 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 195.9 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 11.6 miles (27th Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 11.7 miles (Midland Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 14.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
The route from Carbondale, CO to Longmont, CO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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