Origin
Longmont, CO
Evening in Longmont on Sunday
Local time
7:45 PM
MDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Longmont, CO to Highlands Ranch, CO
Drive Time
1h 12m
Distance
52 mi
84 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 7m
★
6 AM
1h 13m
8 AM
1h 24m
10 AM
1h 17m
12 PM
1h 16m
3 PM
1h 18m
5 PM
1h 24m
8 PM
1h 9m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Longmont, CO
Pramish Khatri
Trip Overview
The drive from Longmont, CO to Highlands Ranch, CO covers 52 miles and takes about 1h 12m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on 5th Avenue, Collyer Street, 3rd Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $7.88 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
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
26 miles from Longmont, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 36m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a 1h 12m drive with frequent turns across 52 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.
5th Avenue is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Longmont, CO to Highlands Ranch, CO is easy. At 1h 12m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Longmont, CO to Highlands Ranch, CO is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 5th Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Collyer Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 3rd Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East Ken Pratt Boulevard | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Highway 119 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 25 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Dwight D | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North Valley Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
5th Avenue
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Longmont, CO and Highlands Ranch, CO.
1
Start on the route
62 ft
·
7 sec
·
the route
2
Turn right onto 5th Avenue
0.2 mi
·
47 sec
·
5th Avenue
3
Turn right onto Collyer Street
0.2 mi
·
42 sec
·
Collyer Street
4
Turn left onto 3rd Avenue
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
3rd Avenue
5
Turn left onto East Ken Pratt Boulevard
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
East Ken Pratt Boulevard
6
Continue on Highway 119
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Highway 119
7
Take the exit right toward I 25 South
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
I 25 South
8
Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
12 mi
·
11 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
9
Continue on North Valley Highway
0.6 mi
·
36 sec
·
North Valley Highway
10
Keep slight right to continue on North Valley Highway
8.8 mi
·
10 min
·
North Valley Highway
11
Keep slight right to continue on North Valley Highway
12 mi
·
16 min
·
North Valley Highway
12
Take the exit slight right toward University Boulevard
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
University Boulevard
13
Keep slight right to continue on University Boulevard
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
University Boulevard
14
Keep slight right to continue on University Boulevard South
479 ft
·
12 sec
·
University Boulevard South
15
Turn straight onto South University Boulevard
9.2 mi
·
16 min
·
South University Boulevard
16
Turn right onto Venneford Ranch Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Venneford Ranch Road
17
Turn right onto East Thistle Ridge Road
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
East Thistle Ridge Road
18
Turn left onto South Wild Iris Run
351 ft
·
16 sec
·
South Wild Iris Run
19
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
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 26 miles from Longmont, CO, or about 36m into the drive.
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 52 miles or 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 26 miles or 36m 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 2m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Highlands Ranch, CO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Longmont, 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 Longmont, CO
This is one driving day of about 52 miles and 1h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Longmont, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 26 mi from Longmont, CO · 36m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
26 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 52 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 26 miles from Longmont, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Highlands Ranch, CO
The final approach into Highlands Ranch, 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 Highlands Ranch, 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
$7.88 one way
$15.76 round trip
$3.85/gal
25.4 MPG avg
18 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.08 | $8.36 | $16.72 |
| premium | $4.43 | $9.08 | $18.15 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $11.55 | $23.11 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$8
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$33–$58
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 18.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 15.6 | 0 | $5.46 | $2.50 |
| Efficient EV | 13 | 0 | $4.55 | $2.08 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 20.8 | 0 | $7.28 | $3.33 |
Gas CO2
18 kg
EV CO2
6 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
Highlands Ranch, CO
Evening in Highlands Ranch on Sunday
Local time
7:45 PM
MDT
Current temp
38°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
1 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
1h 12m 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 Longmont, CO to Highlands Ranch, CO covers 52 miles and takes about 1h 12m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are 5th Avenue, Collyer Street, 3rd Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 26 miles from Longmont, CO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $7.88 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.
The drive from Longmont, CO to Highlands Ranch, CO is easy. At 1h 12m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Longmont, CO to Highlands Ranch, CO is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Longmont, CO to Highlands Ranch, CO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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