Origin
Frederick, CO
Evening in Frederick on Sunday
Local time
8:42 PM
MDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Frederick, CO to Fort Collins, CO
Drive Time
50m
Distance
42.1 mi
68 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Excellent
20 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 47m
★
6 AM
0h 51m
8 AM
0h 59m
10 AM
0h 54m
12 PM
0h 53m
3 PM
0h 54m
5 PM
0h 59m
8 PM
0h 48m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Frederick, CO
RDNE Stock project
Fort Collins, CO
Jacob Moore
Trip Overview
If you are planning a quick excursion within Colorado’s Mountain West, the 42.1-mile journey from Frederick to Fort Collins is an ideal candidate for a simple day trip. You can expect to spend about 50 minutes on the road, making it a highly accessible route for commuters or casual travelers. With a modest fuel budget of just $6, this trip is as economical as it is efficient. You will primarily utilize the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, CO 52, and East Mulberry Street to navigate between these two points. Since the entire drive is designed to be completed in a single day, you won't need to worry about booking overnight accommodations. It is a straightforward, no-nonsense connection that gets you from town to town with minimal effort.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
21.1 miles from Frederick, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 24m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a mix of driving styles as you transition from local roads to major thoroughfares. The route is characterized as a turn-heavy local drive, requiring your full attention as you maneuver through the early segments. You will spend the bulk of your time on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, which accounts for your longest uninterrupted stretch of 33.9 miles. While highway travel makes up only about 4% of the route, these segments provide a necessary boost in speed before you navigate the final local turns. The experience shifts from open pavement to more technical, localized maneuvering as you approach your destination in Fort Collins.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 18 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 33.9 miles.
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 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Locust Street.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 42.1 miles you will encounter 11 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: near the start (Locust Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (5th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (Colorado Boulevard): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Locust Street
Turn right onto Locust Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
5th Street
Turn right onto 5th Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.4 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
Colorado Boulevard
Enter roundabout onto Colorado Boulevard
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
3 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Take the ramp toward I 25 North: Fort Collins
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 25 North: Fort Collins
5
3.4 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
I 25 / Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Merge onto I 25 / Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 33.9 mi | 33m |
| East Mulberry Street | 4 mi | 7m |
| CO 52 | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| Colorado Boulevard | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| 5th Street | 0.3 mi | 1m |
| West Mulberry Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| South Sherwood Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| South Meldrum Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 33.9 mi, about 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Frederick, CO and Fort Collins, CO.
1
Start on this road
175 ft
·
14 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto Locust Street
168 ft
·
9 sec
·
Locust Street
3
Turn right onto 5th Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
5th Street
4
Enter roundabout onto Colorado Boulevard
252 ft
·
10 sec
·
Colorado Boulevard
5
Continue on Colorado Boulevard
0.5 mi
·
51 sec
·
Colorado Boulevard
6
Enter roundabout onto Colorado Boulevard
177 ft
·
3 sec
·
Colorado Boulevard
7
Continue on Colorado Boulevard
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
Colorado Boulevard
8
Turn slight right
293 ft
·
10 sec
9
Turn straight onto CO 52
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
CO 52
Use the none lane.
10
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Toward I 25 North: Fort Collins
Use the right lane.
11
Merge onto I 25
34 mi
·
33 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Exit 269B
Toward CO 14 West: Fort Collins
13
Merge onto CO 14
4.0 mi
·
7 min
·
East Mulberry Street
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on West Mulberry Street
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
West Mulberry Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
15
Turn right onto South Meldrum Street
499 ft
·
29 sec
·
South Meldrum Street
16
Turn left onto West Magnolia Street
476 ft
·
18 sec
·
West Magnolia Street
17
Continue on South Sherwood Street
0.2 mi
·
39 sec
·
South Sherwood Street
18
Arrive at destination
South Sherwood Street
Trip Plan
Because this is a short, 50-minute trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, allowing you to avoid peak traffic hours easily. You won't need to plan for any formal stops, as the duration is brief enough to drive through in one go. Keep in mind that the turn-heavy nature of the route means you should stay alert during the local stretches rather than settling into a cruise-control mindset. Since you are only budgeting $6 for fuel, be sure your tank is topped off before leaving Frederick to ensure a smooth, worry-free arrival. Taking advantage of the route's brevity allows you to maximize your time in Fort Collins rather than spending your day behind the wheel.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 21.1 miles from Frederick, CO, or about 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 33.9 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 42.1 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 21.1 miles or 24m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 39m
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 Frederick, 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 Frederick, CO
This is one driving day of about 42.1 miles and 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Frederick, CO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for about 33.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 21.1 mi from Frederick, CO · 24m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
21 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 42.1 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 21.1 miles from Frederick, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Fort Collins, CO
The final approach into Fort Collins, 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 Fort Collins, 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
$6.38 one way
$12.76 round trip
$3.85/gal
25.4 MPG avg
15 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.08 | $6.77 | $13.54 |
| premium | $4.43 | $7.35 | $14.70 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $9.35 | $18.71 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$6
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$31–$56
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 14.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
EV Charging Along Route
20 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent
Buc-ee's Johnstown - Tesla Supercharger
Johnstown, CO
Tesla
12 DCFC
Embassy Suites by Hilton Loveland Hotel, Spa & Conference Center - Tesla Supercharger
Loveland, CO
Tesla
10 DCFC
Interstate Ford
Dacono, CO
FORD_CHARGE
4 DCFC
CircleK - Longmont I-25, CO
Longmont, CO
CIRCLE_K
4 DCFC
Target T1178 (Loveland, CO)
Loveland, CO
Electrify America
4 DCFC
Mike Maroone Chevrolet GMC
Longmont, CO
Non-Networked
3 DCFC
Transwest Truck Trailer RV of Frederick
Frederick, CO
EV Connect
2 DCFC
Transwest RV Storage Lot
Longmont, CO
EV Connect
2 DCFC
ChargePoint Network: 9
EV Connect: 4
Non-Networked: 2
Tesla: 2
FORD_CHARGE: 1
CIRCLE_K: 1
Electrify America: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 12.6 | 0 | $4.42 | $2.02 |
| Efficient EV | 10.5 | 0 | $3.68 | $1.68 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 16.8 | 0 | $5.89 | $2.69 |
Gas CO2
15 kg
EV CO2
5 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
Fort Collins, CO
Evening in Fort Collins on Sunday
Local time
8:42 PM
MDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
36°F
Windsor, CO
21 mi in
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
28 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
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 Frederick, CO to Fort Collins, CO covers 42.1 miles and takes about 50m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, East Mulberry Street, CO 52. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 21.1 miles from Frederick, CO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $6.38 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.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 42.1 miles you will encounter 11 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: near the start (Locust Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (5th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.4 miles (Colorado Boulevard): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
The route from Frederick, CO to Fort Collins, CO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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