Origin
Fort Collins, CO
Evening in Fort Collins on Friday
Local time
5:40 PM
MDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fort Collins, CO to Limon, CO
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 32m
Distance
143.9 mi
232 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 23m
★
6 AM
2h 33m
8 AM
2h 53m
10 AM
2h 40m
12 PM
2h 38m
3 PM
2h 41m
5 PM
2h 52m
8 PM
2h 27m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fort Collins, CO
Wikimedia Commons
Limon, CO
Marie Martin
Trip Overview
Fort Collins to Limon is 143.9 miles and takes about 2 hours 32 minutes via Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, with a fuel budget near $22 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Mountain West region, connecting two points in Colorado. It's a fairly direct path that transitions from more urban-influenced roads to open plains driving. Consider this trip if you're looking for a straightforward drive with minimal fuss, suitable for a single day of travel.
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
71.9 miles from Fort Collins, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 18m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 32m. Total distance: 143.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
This route is described as a turn-heavy local drive, with a highway share of 100%, meaning you'll primarily be on well-maintained roadways. You'll experience a longest stretch of 110.6 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, offering a significant period of consistent travel. While predominantly highway, expect the profile to shift, suggesting a dynamic driving experience rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. Be prepared for varied conditions as you navigate between these two Colorado cities.
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 110.6 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 45.7 miles in.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 143.9 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 45.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 45.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 71.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
45.7 mi into trip
|
~50m in
Take the exit toward NW, E 470 Toll: Limon, Broomfield
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 228
Toward NW, E 470 Toll: Limon, Broomfield
8
45.9 mi into trip
|
~51m in
Keep slight left at fork toward E 470 Toll: Limon
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 228
Toward E 470 Toll: Limon
8
71.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 17m in
Take the exit toward I 70: Aurora, Denver, Limon
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 20
Toward I 70: Aurora, Denver, Limon
7
72.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 18m in
Turn left toward I 70 East: Limon
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 70 East: Limon
7
142.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 29m in
|
I 70 Business
Take the exit onto I 70 Business toward I 70 Business: Limon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 359
Toward I 70 Business: Limon
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Fort Collins, CO and Limon, CO, road signs point toward E 470 Toll: Limon, Broomfield and Denver.
E 470 Toll: Limon
45.7 mi in
|
~50m
Broomfield
45.7 mi in
|
~50m
Denver
71.3 mi in
|
~1h 17m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 110.6 mi | 1h 50m |
| E-470 | 24.6 mi | 24m |
| East Mulberry Street | 3.9 mi | 7m |
| I 70 Business | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| West Mulberry Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| North Gun Club Road | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| South Sherwood Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| South Meldrum Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 110.6 mi, about 1h 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Collins, CO and Limon, 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
·
40 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
Exit 228
Toward NW, E 470 Toll: Limon, Broomfield
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 228
Toward E 470 Toll: Limon
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on this road
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
this road
Exit 228
Toward E 470 Toll: Limon
11
Continue on E470
25 mi
·
24 min
·
E-470
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 20
Toward I 70: Aurora, Denver, Limon
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on North Gun Club Road
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
North Gun Club Road
14
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward I 70 East: Limon
Use the left lane.
15
Merge onto I 70
70 mi
·
1 hr 9 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit onto I 70 Business
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
I 70 Business
Exit 359
Toward I 70 Business: Limon
Use the slight right lane.
17
Turn right onto I 70 Business; US 40; US 287
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
·
I 70 Business; US 40; US 287
Use the straight lane.
18
Turn left onto I 70 Business; US 24; US 40; US 287
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
I 70 Business; US 24; US 40; US 287
Use the left lane.
19
Turn left onto H Avenue
359 ft
·
15 sec
·
H Avenue
Use the left lane.
20
Arrive at destination
H Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 2 hours and 32 minutes, you have flexibility in when you depart for this 143.9-mile trip. Leaving in the morning allows you to arrive in Limon with plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimated at $22, planning for fuel and a quick break will be straightforward. Pay attention to the road conditions as you transition out of the more developed areas near Fort Collins and into the open stretches leading to Limon.
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 71.9 miles from Fort Collins, CO, or about 1h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 110.6 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 32 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 71.9 miles or 1h 18m 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 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Limon, 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 143.9 miles and 2h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 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 Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for about 110.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 71.9 mi from Fort Collins, CO · 1h 18m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
72 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 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 71.9 miles from Fort Collins, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 110.6 miles.
Arriving in Limon, CO
The final approach into Limon, 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 Limon, 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
$21.68 one way
$43.36 round trip
$3.83/gal
25.4 MPG avg
50 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.05 | $22.96 | $45.91 |
| premium | $4.39 | $24.89 | $49.79 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $31.77 | $63.54 |
Estimated Tolls: $2.95
E-470
(24.6 mi)
$2.95
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
$22
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 50.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 43.2 | 0 | $15.11 | $6.91 |
| Efficient EV | 36 | 0 | $12.59 | $5.76 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 57.6 | 0 | $20.15 | $9.21 |
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 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.
Destination
Limon, CO
Evening in Limon on Friday
Local time
5:40 PM
MDT
Current temp
78°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
34 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 32m 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 Fort Collins, CO to Limon, CO covers 143.9 miles and takes about 2h 32m 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 71.9 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 $21.68 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 13 significant decision points across 143.9 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 45.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 45.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 71.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Fort Collins, CO and Limon, CO, road signs point toward E 470 Toll: Limon, Broomfield and Denver.
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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