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Trip from Fort Collins, CO to Cañon City, CO

Drive Time

3h 35m

Distance

178 mi

286 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$27

one way

EV Charging

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station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
3h 23m ★
6 AM
3h 35m
8 AM
4h 0m
10 AM
3h 44m
12 PM
3h 42m
3 PM
3h 45m
5 PM
3h 59m
8 PM
3h 28m

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 Fort Collins, CO, CO

Fort Collins, CO

Jacob Moore

Downtown Cañon City, CO, CO

Cañon City, CO

RDNE Stock project

Trip Overview

The drive from Fort Collins, CO to Cañon City, CO covers 178 miles and takes about 3h 35m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on North Valley Highway, Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, South Nevada Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 79.5 miles on North Valley Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $26.97 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

89 miles from Fort Collins, CO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 39m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a 3h 35m drive with frequent turns across 178 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
North Valley Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 79.5 miles.

Elevation Profile

High-altitude sections with notable climbs

6,459 ft 4,887 ft

Total Climb

2,109 ft

Total Descent

1,572 ft

Highest Point

6,459 ft

~148.3 mi in

Elevation Range

1,573 ft

Notable High Points

5,047 ft at ~14.8 miles +52 ft prominence
5,420 ft at ~51.9 miles +161 ft prominence
6,255 ft at ~126.1 miles +74 ft prominence
6,459 ft at ~148.3 miles +383 ft prominence

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near South Meldrum Street.

Route Complexity 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 178 miles you will encounter 13 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 0.2 miles (South Meldrum Street): Navigation decision point; at 4.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 46.8 miles (I 25 / North Valley Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 13 key points

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

5
0.2 mi into trip | ~1m in | South Meldrum Street

Turn right onto South Meldrum Street

Navigation decision point

6
4.5 mi into trip | ~9m in

Take the exit toward I 25 South: Denver

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Toward I 25 South: Denver
6
46.8 mi into trip | ~51m in | I 25 / North Valley Highway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 25 / North Valley Highway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
55.6 mi into trip | ~1h 2m in | I 25 / North Valley Highway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 25 / North Valley Highway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight left lanes.
8
133.5 mi into trip | ~2h 29m in

Take the exit toward CO 115 South: Tejon Street, Nevada Avenue

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 140 Toward CO 115 South: Tejon Street, Nevada Avenu...

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
North Valley Highway 79.5 mi 1h 29m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway 41.4 mi 41m
South Nevada Avenue 30.6 mi 40m
3rd Street 9.5 mi 16m
Monument Valley Freeway 7.8 mi 9m
East Mulberry Street 3.9 mi 7m
Royal Gorge Boulevard 3.7 mi 7m
West Mulberry Street 0.3 mi <1m
Longest stretch: North Valley Highway — 79.5 mi, about 1h 29m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Fort Collins, CO and Cañon City, CO.

1

Start on South Sherwood Street

0.2 mi · 41 sec · South Sherwood Street
2

Continue on West Magnolia Street

476 ft · 20 sec · West Magnolia Street
3

Turn right onto South Meldrum Street

499 ft · 29 sec · South Meldrum Street
4

Turn left onto West Mulberry Street

0.3 mi · 42 sec · West Mulberry Street
5

Continue on East Mulberry Street

3.9 mi · 7 min · East Mulberry Street
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
6

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 33 sec
Toward I 25 South: Denver Use the right lane.
7

Merge onto I 25

41 mi · 41 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Continue on I 25

0.6 mi · 36 sec · North Valley Highway
9

Keep slight right at fork onto I 25

8.8 mi · 10 min · North Valley Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight right at fork onto I 25

70 mi · 1 hr 18 min · North Valley Highway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
11

Continue on I 25

7.8 mi · 9 min · Monument Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Exit 140 Toward CO 115 South: Tejon Street, Nevada Avenue Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Turn right onto CO 115

31 mi · 40 min · South Nevada Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
14

Turn right onto CR 123

9.5 mi · 16 min · 3rd Street
Use the right lane.
15

At end of road, turn left onto Mackenzie Avenue

126 ft · 7 sec · Mackenzie Avenue
16

Turn right onto US 50

3.7 mi · 7 min · Royal Gorge Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
17

Turn right onto South 4th Street

0.1 mi · 32 sec · South 4th Street
18

Turn right onto Macon Avenue

90 ft · 4 sec · Macon Avenue
19

Arrive at destination

Macon Avenue

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 89 miles from Fort Collins, CO, or about 1h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 79.5 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 80 miles or 1h 29m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 89 miles or 1h 39m 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 46m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cañon City, CO than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Fort Collins, 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 Fort Collins, CO

This is one driving day of about 178 miles and 3h 35m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Fort Collins, 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 North Valley Highway for about 79.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 89 mi from Fort Collins, CO · 1h 39m into the drive

Downtown Castle Rock, CO, CO

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Castle Rock, CO

89 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.

Popular next leg

Castle Rock, CO to Cañon City, CO

86 mi · 1h 52m

Pacing Suggestions

Greenwood Village, CO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Centennial, CO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 89 miles from Fort Collins, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before North Valley Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 79.5 miles.

Arriving in Cañon City, CO

The final approach into Cañon City, 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 Cañon City, CO.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$26.97 one way

$53.95 round trip

$3.85/gal 25.4 MPG avg 62 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.08 $28.62 $57.24
premium $4.43 $31.07 $62.13
diesel $5.64 $39.55 $79.09

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$27

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$52–$77

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 62.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 53.4 0 $18.69 $8.54
Efficient EV 44.5 0 $15.58 $7.12
EV Truck/SUV 71.2 0 $24.92 $11.39

Gas CO2

62 kg

EV CO2

21 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 data refreshed 15 hours ago

Origin

Fort Collins, CO

Evening in Fort Collins on Sunday

Local time

5:08 PM

MDT

Current temp

38°F

Partly Cloudy

W 5 to 15 mph 11% chance Live forecast

Red Flag Warning

Red Flag Warning issued April 12 at 12:12AM MDT until April 13 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Pueblo CO

Red Flag Warning

Red Flag Warning issued April 12 at 12:12AM MDT until April 12 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Pueblo CO

Destination

Cañon City, CO

Evening in Cañon City on Sunday

Local time

5:08 PM

MDT

Current temp

43°F

Mostly Clear

WNW 10 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Red Flag Warning

Red Flag Warning issued April 12 at 12:12AM MDT until April 13 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Pueblo CO

Red Flag Warning

Red Flag Warning issued April 12 at 12:12AM MDT until April 12 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Pueblo CO

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

5 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

3h 35m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Fort Collins, CO to Cañon City, CO covers 178 miles and takes about 3h 35m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are North Valley Highway, Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, South Nevada Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 89 miles from Fort Collins, CO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $26.97 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 178 miles you will encounter 13 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 0.2 miles (South Meldrum Street): Navigation decision point; at 4.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 46.8 miles (I 25 / North Valley Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Fort Collins, CO to Cañon City, CO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
High-altitude sections with notable climbs. The route ranges from 4,887 ft to 6,459 ft elevation with about 2,109 ft of total climbing. There are 4 notable high points along the way.

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