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Trip from Edwards, CO to Longmont, CO

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 50m

Distance

135.2 mi

218 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$20

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 33 min
4 AM
2h 39m ★
6 AM
2h 50m
8 AM
3h 12m
10 AM
2h 58m
12 PM
2h 56m
3 PM
2h 59m
5 PM
3h 11m
8 PM
2h 44m

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 Edwards, CO, CO

Edwards, CO

Wikimedia Commons

city in Boulder County, Colorado, United States

Longmont, CO

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Edwards, CO to Longmont, CO covers 135.2 miles and takes about 2h 50m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Gerald R. Ford Memorial Highway, US 287, Sheridan Boulevard for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 106 miles on Gerald R. Ford Memorial Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $20.37 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.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

67.6 miles from Edwards, CO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 21m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 50m. Total distance: 135.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Turn-heavy local drive route profile.

Drive Character

Expect a 2h 50m drive with frequent turns across 135.2 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Gerald R. Ford Memorial Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 106 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 0.1 miles in near Edwards Access Road.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 18 significant decision points across 135.2 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 0.1 miles (Edwards Access Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 106.9 miles (I 76 / Heartland Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 108.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 18 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

6
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | Edwards Access Road

Enter roundabout onto Edwards Access Road

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

8
106.9 mi into trip | ~2h 8m 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
108.2 mi into trip | ~2h 9m 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
6
113 mi into trip | ~2h 17m in

Turn left toward US 36 West: Boulder

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane. Toward US 36 West: Boulder
6
114.5 mi into trip | ~2h 19m in | US 36 / Denver–Boulder Turnpike

Keep slight right at fork onto US 36 / Denver–Boulder Turnpike

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Gerald R. Ford Memorial Highway 106 mi 2h 6m
US 287 17.3 mi 25m
Sheridan Boulevard 4.6 mi 7m
Denver–Boulder Turnpike 3.6 mi 4m
Heartland Expressway 1.3 mi 1m
Edwards Access Road 0.5 mi <1m
CO 121 0.2 mi <1m
5th Avenue <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Gerald R. Ford Memorial Highway — 106 mi, about 2h 6m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Edwards, CO and Longmont, CO.

1

Start on this road

211 ft · 17 sec · this road
2

Turn right onto Edwards Access Road

151 ft · 3 sec · Edwards Access Road
3

Enter roundabout onto Edwards Access Road

321 ft · 6 sec · Edwards Access Road
4

Continue on Edwards Access Road

0.4 mi · 42 sec · Edwards Access Road
5

Enter roundabout onto I 70 Business

126 ft · 2 sec · Edwards Access Road
6

Continue on I 70 Business

150 ft · 3 sec · Edwards Access Road
7

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 41 sec
8

Merge onto I 70

106 mi · 2 hr 6 min · Gerald R. Ford Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
9

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.
10

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 40 sec
Exit 1B Toward CO 95: Sheridan Boulevard Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Turn left onto CO 95

4.6 mi · 7 min · Sheridan Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
12

Turn left

0.3 mi · 37 sec
Toward US 36 West: Boulder Use the left lane.
13

Keep slight left at fork

0.2 mi · 23 sec
Toward US 36 West
14

Merge onto US 36

0.9 mi · 1 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike
15

Keep slight right at fork onto US 36

1.9 mi · 2 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Keep slight right at fork onto US 36

0.8 mi · 52 sec · Denver–Boulder Turnpike
17

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 42 sec
Toward CO 121: Wadsworth Parkway Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Turn right onto CO 121

0.2 mi · 30 sec · CO 121
19

Continue on US 287

5.7 mi · 8 min · US 287
Use the left lane.
20

Continue on US 287

0.2 mi · 19 sec · US 287
Use the straight / right lanes.
21

Continue on US 287; CO 7

11 mi · 16 min · US 287; CO 7
Use the straight / right lanes.
22

Turn right onto 5th Avenue

357 ft · 19 sec · 5th Avenue
23

Turn right onto Kimbark Street

169 ft · 9 sec · Kimbark Street
24

Turn right

186 ft · 15 sec
25

Turn right

109 ft · 7 sec
26

Arrive at destination

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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 67.6 miles from Edwards, CO, or about 1h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 106 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 30 miles or 36m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 67.6 miles or 1h 21m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 14m

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 Edwards, 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 Edwards, CO

This is one driving day of about 135.2 miles and 2h 50m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Edwards, 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 Gerald R. Ford Memorial Highway for about 106 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 67.6 mi from Edwards, CO · 1h 21m into the drive

Downtown Applewood, CO, CO

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Applewood, CO

68 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

Silverthorne, CO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 30 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Boulder, CO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 67.6 miles from Edwards, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Gerald R. Ford Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 106 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.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Coffee Stop

Hygge Life Shop & Café

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Avon, Colorado

Near the start, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 9.7

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+19703315745

Visit website

Phở Hậu Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, ~10 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 96.6

Lakewood, Colorado

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+13039880755

Hygge Life Shop & Café

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 9.7

Avon, Colorado

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+19703315745

Visit website

Frisco Historic Park and Museum

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 38.6

Frisco, Colorado

Hours: Closed

+19706683428

Visit website

Argo Gold Mill and Tunnel

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 77.3

Idaho Springs, Colorado

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+13035672421

Visit website

Morrison Natural History Museum

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 96.6

Morrison, Colorado

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+13036971873

Visit website

Colorado Adventure Center - Zipline & Ropes Course

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 77.3

Idaho Springs, Colorado

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+17207071885

Visit website

Super Smash Rooms

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 115.9

Westminster, Colorado

Hours: 1–7 pm

+13035580726

Visit website

Woodward Copper Barn

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 29

Frisco, Colorado

Hours: 12–8 pm

+18883501544

Visit website

Clear Creek White Water Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~10 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 96.6

Golden, Colorado

Hours: Open 24 hours

+13033848000

Visit website

Water World

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~11 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 115.9

Federal Heights, Colorado

+13034277873

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$20.37 one way

$40.74 round trip

$3.83/gal 25.4 MPG avg 47 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.05 $21.57 $43.14
premium $4.39 $23.39 $46.78
diesel $5.61 $29.85 $59.70

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

$20

Tolls

$0

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$46–$71

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 47.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 40.6 0 $14.20 $6.49
Efficient EV 33.8 0 $11.83 $5.41
EV Truck/SUV 54.1 0 $18.93 $8.65

Gas CO2

47 kg

EV CO2

16 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 15, 2026

Origin

Edwards, CO

Afternoon in Edwards on Friday

Local time

12:29 PM

MDT

Current temp

64°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Longmont, CO

Afternoon in Longmont on Friday

Local time

12:29 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

15 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

2h 50m 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 Edwards, CO to Longmont, CO covers 135.2 miles and takes about 2h 50m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Gerald R. Ford Memorial Highway, US 287, Sheridan Boulevard. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 67.6 miles from Edwards, CO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $20.37 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.

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 18 significant decision points across 135.2 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 0.1 miles (Edwards Access Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 106.9 miles (I 76 / Heartland Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 108.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

The route from Edwards, CO to Longmont, 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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