Origin
Greeley, CO
Evening in Greeley on Friday
Local time
7:05 PM
MDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Greeley, CO to Cañon City, CO
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 33m
Distance
178.7 mi
288 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 21m
★
6 AM
3h 33m
8 AM
3h 58m
10 AM
3h 42m
12 PM
3h 40m
3 PM
3h 43m
5 PM
3h 57m
8 PM
3h 26m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Greeley, CO
Wikimedia Commons
Cañon City, CO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Greeley, CO to Cañon City, CO covers 178.7 miles and takes about 3h 33m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 25, E-470, South Nevada Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 45.7 miles on I 25. At current regular gas prices, budget about $26.92 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
89.4 miles from Greeley, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 40m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 33m. Total distance: 178.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile.
Drive Character
The drive from Greeley, CO to Cañon City, CO covers 178.7 miles and takes about 3h 33m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 25 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 25 is the longest continuous segment at about 45.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near US 34 Business / 10th Street.
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 21 significant decision points across 178.7 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 0.3 miles (US 34 Business / 10th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.3 miles (US 34 Business; US 85 Business / 8th Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 43.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 21 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.3 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
US 34 Business / 10th Street
Turn left onto US 34 Business / 10th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
6
1.3 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
US 34 Business; US 85 Business / 8th Avenue
Turn right onto US 34 Business; US 85 Business / 8th Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
43.7 mi into trip
|
~52m in
Take the exit toward E470 Toll South: Limon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 18
Toward E470 Toll South: Limon
8
80 mi into trip
|
~1h 29m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 25 South: Colorado Springs
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 1A
Toward I 25 South: Colorado Springs
8
134.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 27m 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...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Greeley, CO and Cañon City, CO, road signs point toward E470 Toll South: Limon and Colorado Springs.
E470 Toll South: Limon
43.7 mi in
|
~52m
Colorado Springs
79.8 mi in
|
~1h 29m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 25 | 45.7 mi | 47m |
| E-470 | 35.1 mi | 35m |
| South Nevada Avenue | 30.6 mi | 40m |
| County Road 49 | 21.9 mi | 25m |
| I 76 | 15.8 mi | 15m |
| 3rd Street | 9.5 mi | 16m |
| Monument Valley Freeway | 7.8 mi | 9m |
| Royal Gorge Boulevard | 3.7 mi | 7m |
Longest stretch:
I 25
— 45.7 mi, about 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Greeley, CO and Cañon City, CO.
1
Start on 19th Avenue
262 ft
·
18 sec
·
19th Avenue
2
Turn left onto US 34 Business
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
9th Street
3
Turn left onto 21st Avenue
495 ft
·
29 sec
·
21st Avenue
4
Turn left onto US 34 Business
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
10th Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
5
Turn right onto US 34 Business; US 85 Business
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
8th Avenue
Use the right lane.
6
Turn left onto US 34 Business
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
18th Street
Use the left lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto East 18th Street
0.2 mi
·
12 sec
·
East 18th Street
8
Continue on East 18th Street
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
East 18th Street
9
Turn right onto CR 49
22 mi
·
25 min
·
County Road 49
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward I 76 West
11
Merge onto I 76
16 mi
·
15 min
·
I 76
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
2 min
Exit 18
Toward E470 Toll South: Limon
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto E470
35 mi
·
35 min
·
E-470
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Exit 1A
Toward I 25: Denver, Colorado Springs
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 1A
Toward I 25 South: Colorado Springs
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
16
Merge onto I 25
46 mi
·
47 min
·
I 25
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on I 25
7.8 mi
·
9 min
·
Monument Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 140
Toward CO 115 South: Tejon Street, Nevada Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Turn right onto CO 115
31 mi
·
40 min
·
South Nevada Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Turn right onto CR 123
9.5 mi
·
16 min
·
3rd Street
Use the right lane.
21
At end of road, turn left onto Mackenzie Avenue
126 ft
·
7 sec
·
Mackenzie Avenue
22
Turn right onto US 50
3.7 mi
·
7 min
·
Royal Gorge Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
23
Turn right onto South 4th Street
0.1 mi
·
32 sec
·
South 4th Street
24
Turn right onto Macon Avenue
90 ft
·
4 sec
·
Macon Avenue
25
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 89.4 miles from Greeley, CO, or about 1h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 45.7 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 39 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 89.4 miles or 1h 40m 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 44m
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 Greeley, 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 Greeley, CO
This is one driving day of about 178.7 miles and 3h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Greeley, 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 25 for about 45.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 89.4 mi from Greeley, CO · 1h 40m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 39 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 89.4 miles from Greeley, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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
$26.92 one way
$53.85 round trip
$3.83/gal
25.4 MPG avg
63 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.05 | $28.51 | $57.02 |
| premium | $4.39 | $30.91 | $61.83 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $39.45 | $78.91 |
Estimated Tolls: $4.22
E-470
(35.1 mi)
$4.22
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
$27
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 62.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 53.6 | 0 | $18.76 | $8.58 |
| Efficient EV | 44.7 | 0 | $15.64 | $7.15 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 71.5 | 0 | $25.02 | $11.44 |
Gas CO2
63 kg
EV CO2
21 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
Cañon City, CO
Evening in Cañon City on Friday
Local time
7:05 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
2 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 33m 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 Greeley, CO to Cañon City, CO covers 178.7 miles and takes about 3h 33m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 25, E-470, South Nevada Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 89.4 miles from Greeley, CO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $26.92 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 is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 178.7 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 0.3 miles (US 34 Business / 10th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.3 miles (US 34 Business; US 85 Business / 8th Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 43.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Greeley, CO and Cañon City, CO, road signs point toward E470 Toll South: Limon and Colorado Springs.
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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