Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 30m
Distance
79 mi
127 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Greeley, CO
Wikimedia Commons
Dove Valley, CO
Regan Dsouza
This 79-mile drive from Greeley, CO to Dove Valley, CO takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes and is easily manageable as a single-day trip. You'll primarily navigate E-470 and I-76, with a portion on County Road 49, making it a fairly direct journey within the Mountain West region. Expect a fuel cost of around $12 for this route. The overall feel is a turn-heavy local drive, so be prepared for frequent adjustments rather than long, straight stretches. This route is ideal for a quick transit, offering a straightforward path between these two Colorado locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
39.5 miles from Greeley, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 47m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 30m. Total distance: 79 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
The personality of this drive is best described as a turn-heavy local experience, with only about 20% of the journey on highways like I-76 and E-470. You'll encounter County Road 49, which contributes to the more localized feel. The longest uninterrupted stretch you’ll experience is 31.7 miles on E-470, offering a brief period of more consistent travel before the local roads and turns become more frequent again. This means you should anticipate a driving experience that requires consistent attention to navigation and changing road conditions.
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 0.3 miles in near US 34 Business / 10th Street.
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 79 miles you will encounter 15 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 0.3 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 2.2 miles (US 34 Business / 18th Street): Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto US 34 Business / 10th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto US 34 Business; US 85 Business / 8th Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto US 34 Business / 18th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward E470 Toll South: Limon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Chambers Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Greeley, CO to Dove Valley, CO, road signs begin pointing toward E470 Toll South: Limon along the way.
E470 Toll South: Limon
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| E-470 | 31.7 mi | 31m |
| County Road 49 | 21.9 mi | 25m |
| I 76 | 15.8 mi | 15m |
| 18th Street | 2.7 mi | 4m |
| South Chambers Road | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| 10th Street | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| East 18th Street | 1 mi | 1m |
| 8th Avenue | 0.9 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Greeley, CO and Dove Valley, CO.
Start on 19th Avenue
Turn left onto US 34 Business
Turn left onto 21st Avenue
Turn left onto US 34 Business
Turn right onto US 34 Business; US 85 Business
Turn left onto US 34 Business
Keep slight left at fork onto East 18th Street
Continue on East 18th Street
Turn right onto CR 49
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 76
Take the exit
Merge onto E470
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Keep slight right at fork
Turn straight onto South Chambers Road
Continue on South Potomac Street
Arrive at destination
Given the 1 hour and 30-minute duration, this is a straightforward drive that doesn't require an overnight stop. You have the flexibility to depart at your convenience, but consider leaving earlier in the day to avoid potential traffic as you approach Dove Valley. The longest stretch without significant turns is 31.7 miles on E-470, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly, though with only 79 miles total, this is less critical. A key tip for this route is to stay alert for the frequent turns, especially as you transition between E-470, County Road 49, and I-76 to ensure a smooth journey.
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.
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 17 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39.5 miles or 47m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Dove Valley, CO than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Greeley, CO so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Greeley, CO
This is one driving day of about 79 miles and 1h 30m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 39.5 mi from Greeley, CO · 47m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
40 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.
A short stop after about 17 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 39.5 miles from Greeley, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Dove Valley, CO usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$11.90 one way
$23.81 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.05 | $12.60 | $25.21 |
| premium | $4.39 | $13.67 | $27.33 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $17.44 | $34.88 |
Estimated Tolls: $3.81
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
$12
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 23.7 | 0 | $8.30 | $3.79 |
| Efficient EV | 19.8 | 0 | $6.91 | $3.16 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 31.6 | 0 | $11.06 | $5.06 |
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (68% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Greeley on Thursday
Local time
4:07 PM
MDT
Current temp
62°F
Rain Showers Likely
Destination
Afternoon in Dove Valley on Thursday
Local time
4:07 PM
MDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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