Origin
Loveland, CO
Night in Loveland on Sunday
Local time
11:27 PM
MDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Loveland, CO to Federal Heights, CO
Drive Time
53m
Distance
43.3 mi
70 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 49m
★
6 AM
0h 53m
8 AM
1h 2m
10 AM
0h 56m
12 PM
0h 55m
3 PM
0h 57m
5 PM
1h 2m
8 PM
0h 51m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Loveland, CO
RDNE Stock project
Trip Overview
If you are planning to travel from Loveland to Federal Heights, you are looking at a straightforward 43.3-mile journey across Colorado's Mountain West. Expect to spend about 53 minutes behind the wheel, making this an ideal day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. You will navigate a mix of routes including the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, North Valley Highway, and 14th Street Southeast. With fuel costs estimated at just $7, this is a budget-friendly commute between these two locations. Because the entire trip stays within the state of Colorado, you won't need to worry about major regional transitions, allowing you to focus on the road ahead.
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
21.6 miles from Loveland, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 26m into the drive .
Drive Character
This 43.3-mile trip is best described as a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate cruise. Only 3% of your route is categorized as highway driving, meaning you will spend the vast majority of your time navigating local surface streets. Your longest uninterrupted stretch occurs during the 27.2 miles spent on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, which provides the most consistent pace of the drive. As you transition away from the highway segments and onto local roads like 14th Street Southeast, the character of the trip shifts toward a more technical, stop-and-go experience. Be prepared to keep your eyes on the navigation as you weave through the local grid.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 15 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 27.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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 early in the drive near US 287 / North Cleveland Avenue.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 43.3 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: near the start (US 287 / North Cleveland Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 33.7 miles (I 25 / North Valley Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 40.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
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
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.
7
40.7 mi into trip
|
~47m in
Take the exit toward Thornton Parkway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 220
Toward Thornton Parkway
7
41 mi into trip
|
~47m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Thornton Parkway West, Water World, Thornton Park-n-Ride
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Thornton Parkway West, Water World, Thor...
6
42.8 mi into trip
|
~51m in
|
West 85th Avenue
Turn left onto West 85th Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Towns Along This Route
Between Loveland, CO and Federal Heights, CO, road signs point toward Thornton Parkway West, Water World and Thornton Park-N-Ride.
Thornton Parkway West
41 mi in
|
~47m
Water World
41 mi in
|
~47m
Thornton Park-N-Ride
41 mi in
|
~47m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 27.2 mi | 27m |
| North Valley Highway | 7.6 mi | 8m |
| 14th Street Southeast | 3.7 mi | 6m |
| Thornton Parkway | 1 mi | 2m |
| Pecos Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| North Cleveland Avenue | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| South Lincoln Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| West 85th Avenue | 0.4 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 27.2 mi, about 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Loveland, CO and Federal Heights, CO.
1
Start on East 6th Street
131 ft
·
9 sec
·
East 6th Street
2
Turn right onto US 287
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
North Cleveland Avenue
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
3
Continue on US 287
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Lincoln Avenue
Use the none lane.
4
Turn left onto CO 402
3.7 mi
·
6 min
·
14th Street Southeast
Use the left / none lanes.
5
Continue on CO 402
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
·
East State Highway 402
6
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
Toward I 25 South
7
Merge onto I 25
27 mi
·
27 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the none lane.
8
Continue on I 25
0.6 mi
·
36 sec
·
North Valley Highway
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 25
7.0 mi
·
8 min
·
North Valley Highway
Use the none lane.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Exit 220
Toward Thornton Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork
210 ft
·
4 sec
Toward Thornton Parkway West, Water World, Thornton Park-n-Ride
12
Turn straight onto Thornton Parkway
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Thornton Parkway
Use the none lane.
13
Turn left onto Pecos Street
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Pecos Street
Use the left lane.
14
Turn left onto West 85th Avenue
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
West 85th Avenue
Use the left lane.
15
Arrive at destination
West 85th Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick 53-minute trip, you have plenty of flexibility in your schedule, though it is wise to avoid peak traffic hours to keep your travel time consistent. You won't need to plan for any formal stops along the way given the short duration, but keep that $7 fuel budget in mind before you head out. Because the route relies heavily on local streets rather than major highways, stay alert for frequent turns and changing speed limits. A great way to manage this drive is to pre-program your stops into a GPS system, as the reliance on local roads can make navigation tricky if you aren't familiar with the specific turns on the North Valley Highway and 14th Street Southeast.
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 21.6 miles from Loveland, CO, or about 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 27.2 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 43.3 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 21.6 miles or 26m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Federal Heights, 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 43.3 miles and 53m.
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.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for about 27.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 21.6 mi from Loveland, CO · 26m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
22 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 43.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 21.6 miles from Loveland, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Federal Heights, CO
The final approach into Federal Heights, 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 Federal Heights, 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
$6.56 one way
$13.12 round trip
$3.85/gal
25.4 MPG avg
15 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.08 | $6.96 | $13.92 |
| premium | $4.43 | $7.56 | $15.11 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $9.62 | $19.24 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$32–$57
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 15.1 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 | 13 | 0 | $4.55 | $2.08 |
| Efficient EV | 10.8 | 0 | $3.79 | $1.73 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 17.3 | 0 | $6.06 | $2.77 |
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
Federal Heights, CO
Night in Federal Heights on Sunday
Local time
11:27 PM
MDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
39°F
Frederick, CO
22 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
6 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
53m 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 Federal Heights, CO covers 43.3 miles and takes about 53m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, North Valley Highway, 14th Street Southeast. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 21.6 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 $6.56 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 is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 43.3 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: near the start (US 287 / North Cleveland Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 33.7 miles (I 25 / North Valley Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 40.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Loveland, CO and Federal Heights, CO, road signs point toward Thornton Parkway West, Water World and Thornton Park-N-Ride.
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