Trip from Loveland, CO to Cañon City, CO

Drive Time

3h 22m

Distance

164.9 mi

265 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$25

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min

4 AM

3h 11m ★

6 AM

3h 23m

8 AM

3h 47m

10 AM

3h 31m

12 PM

3h 29m

3 PM

3h 32m

5 PM

3h 46m

8 PM

3h 15m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Loveland, CO

RDNE Stock project

Cañon City, CO

RDNE Stock project

Trip Overview

Traveling from Loveland to Cañon City covers 164.9 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 22 minutes behind the wheel. Because this journey is well within the capacity of a single day, you can easily complete it in one sitting without needing an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $25 for fuel to cover the distance across the Mountain West. The route relies on a mix of thoroughfares, including the North Valley Highway, South Nevada Avenue, and the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. Whether you are heading south for business or leisure, this trip offers a straightforward transition between these two Colorado hubs.

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

82.5 miles from Loveland, CO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 34m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. With only 5% of the journey spent on high-speed highways, you will spend the vast majority of your time navigating local roads. Your longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on the North Valley Highway, which spans 79.5 miles before you transition into the more technical segments of the trip. As you move away from the main highway stretches, the road personality shifts significantly, favoring local navigation over sustained cruising speeds. Prepare for a driving experience that feels more grounded and reactive than a typical highway-heavy commute.

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.

North Valley Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 79.5 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 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 287 / North Cleveland Avenue.

Route Complexity 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 164.9 miles you will encounter 13 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 (US 287 / North Cleveland Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 6 miles (I 25 / Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 33.7 miles (I 25 / North Valley Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 13 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

0 mi into trip | ~0m in | US 287 / North Cleveland Avenue

Turn right onto US 287 / North Cleveland Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / left / right lanes.

6 mi into trip | ~11m 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 lane.

33.7 mi into trip | ~39m in | I 25 / North Valley Highway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 25 / North Valley Highway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

42.5 mi into trip | ~49m in | I 25 / North Valley Highway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 25 / North Valley Highway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

120.4 mi into trip | ~2h 16m 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...

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
North Valley Highway	79.5 mi	1h 29m
South Nevada Avenue	30.6 mi	40m
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway	27.2 mi	27m
3rd Street	9.5 mi	16m
Monument Valley Freeway	7.8 mi	9m
14th Street Southeast	3.7 mi	6m
Royal Gorge Boulevard	3.7 mi	7m
North Cleveland Avenue	0.7 mi	1m

Longest stretch: North Valley Highway — 79.5 mi, about 1h 29m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Loveland, CO and Cañon City, CO.

Start on East 6th Street

131 ft · 9 sec · East 6th Street

Turn right onto US 287

0.7 mi · 1 min · North Cleveland Avenue

Use the straight / left / right lanes.

Continue on US 287

0.6 mi · 1 min · South Lincoln Avenue

Use the none lane.

Turn left onto CO 402

3.7 mi · 6 min · 14th Street Southeast

Use the left / none lanes.

Continue on CO 402

0.4 mi · 41 sec · East State Highway 402

Take the ramp

0.5 mi · 58 sec

Toward I 25 South

Merge onto I 25

27 mi · 27 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

Use the none lane.

Continue on I 25

0.6 mi · 36 sec · North Valley Highway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 25

8.8 mi · 10 min · North Valley Highway

Use the none lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 25

70 mi · 1 hr 18 min · North Valley Highway

Use the none lane.

Continue on I 25

7.8 mi · 9 min · Monument Valley Freeway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min

Exit 140 Toward CO 115 South: Tejon Street, Nevada Avenue Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn right onto CO 115

31 mi · 40 min · South Nevada Avenue

Use the straight / right lanes.

Turn right onto CR 123

9.5 mi · 16 min · 3rd Street

Use the right lane.

At end of road, turn left onto Mackenzie Avenue

126 ft · 7 sec · Mackenzie Avenue

Turn right onto US 50

3.7 mi · 7 min · Royal Gorge Boulevard

Use the straight lane.

Turn right onto South 4th Street

0.1 mi · 32 sec · South 4th Street

Turn right onto Macon Avenue

90 ft · 4 sec · Macon Avenue

Arrive at destination

Macon Avenue

Trip Plan

Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time around local traffic patterns. You only need to account for one planned stop to keep your drive comfortable and efficient. Keep a close eye on the transition between the North Valley Highway and the local turn-heavy sections, as road conditions can change quickly. Budgeting $25 for fuel is a reliable estimate, but always verify current local gas prices before you head out. Use your single stop to stretch your legs after the longest 79.5-mile stretch to stay alert for the final, more winding portion of the journey into Cañon City.

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 82.5 miles from Loveland, CO, or about 1h 34m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 79.5 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 80 miles or 1h 31m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 82.5 miles or 1h 34m 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 36m

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 Loveland, 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 Loveland, CO

This is one driving day of about 164.9 miles and 3h 22m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Loveland, 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 North Valley Highway for about 79.5 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 82.5 mi from Loveland, CO · 1h 34m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Castle Rock, CO

82 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.

Popular next leg

Castle Rock, CO to Cañon City, CO

86 mi · 1h 52m

Pacing Suggestions

Centennial, CO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Castle Rock, CO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 82.5 miles from Loveland, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before North Valley Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 79.5 miles.

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

$24.99 one way

$49.98 round trip

$3.85/gal 25.4 MPG avg 58 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.08	$26.51	$53.03
premium	$4.43	$28.78	$57.56
diesel	$5.64	$36.64	$73.27

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$25

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$50–$75

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 57.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	49.5	$17.31	$7.92
Efficient EV	41.2	$14.43	$6.60
EV Truck/SUV	66	$23.09	$10.55

Gas CO2

58 kg

EV CO2

19 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.

Forecast data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Loveland, CO

Evening in Loveland on Sunday

Local time

5:08 PM

MDT

Current temp

66°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Cañon City, CO

Evening in Cañon City on Sunday

Local time

5:08 PM

MDT

Current temp

41°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

25 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 22m 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 Loveland, CO to Cañon City, CO covers 164.9 miles and takes about 3h 22m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are North Valley Highway, South Nevada Avenue, Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 82.5 miles from Loveland, CO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $24.99 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.

The route from Loveland, CO to Cañon City, CO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Trip from Loveland, CO to Cañon City, CO

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Cañon City, CO

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Loveland, CO

Cañon City, CO

Same local time

25 degrees cooler at arrival

3h 22m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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