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Trip from Ponderosa Park, CO to Greeley, CO

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 49m

Distance

88.6 mi

143 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$13

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 25 min
4 AM
1h 41m ★
6 AM
1h 50m
8 AM
2h 6m
10 AM
1h 55m
12 PM
1h 54m
3 PM
1h 56m
5 PM
2h 5m
8 PM
1h 45m

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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Downtown Ponderosa Park, CO, CO

Ponderosa Park, CO

Dianna Sarmiento

city in and county seat of Wetd County, Colorado, United States

Greeley, CO

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Ponderosa Park, CO to Greeley, CO covers 88.6 miles and takes about 1h 49m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on E-470, County Road 49, Heartland Expressway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly surface roads. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 29.1 miles on E-470. At current regular gas prices, budget about $13.35 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.

Midpoint

44.3 miles from Ponderosa Park, CO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 56m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
E-470 29.1 mi 29m
County Road 49 22 mi 25m
Heartland Expressway 15.4 mi 15m
Hilltop Road 4.7 mi 8m
South Parker Road 4.1 mi 6m
East 18th Street 3.7 mi 5m
Flintwood Road 3.4 mi 5m
Ponderosa Lane 1.8 mi 4m
Longest stretch: E-470 — 29.1 mi, about 29m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Ponderosa Park, CO and Greeley, CO.

1

Start on Verdos Drive

0.2 mi · 41 sec · Verdos Drive
2

Turn right onto Ponderosa Lane

1.8 mi · 4 min · Ponderosa Lane
3

At end of road, turn right onto CR 65

3.4 mi · 5 min · Flintwood Road
4

Turn straight onto CR 71

4.7 mi · 8 min · Hilltop Road
5

Continue on Hess Road

0.6 mi · 1 min · Hess Road
6

Turn right onto CO 83

4.1 mi · 6 min · South Parker Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
7

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 33 sec
Toward E470 Toll, I 70: Limon, Denver International Airport
8

Merge onto E470

29 mi · 29 min · E-470
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

1.1 mi · 1 min
Exit 35 Toward I 76 East: Fort Morgan Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Merge onto I 76

15 mi · 15 min · Heartland Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 22 sec
Exit 34 Toward Kersey Road Use the slight right lane.
12

Turn left onto CR 49

22 mi · 25 min · County Road 49
Use the straight / right lanes.
13

Turn left onto East 18th Street

3.7 mi · 5 min · East 18th Street
Use the left lane.
14

At end of road, turn right onto US 34 Business; US 85 Business

0.9 mi · 1 min · 8th Avenue
Use the right lane.
15

Turn left onto US 34 Business

0.2 mi · 28 sec · 10th Street
Use the left lane.
16

Turn right onto US 34 Business

503 ft · 16 sec · 10th Avenue
Use the right lane.
17

Turn left onto US 34 Business

0.8 mi · 1 min · 9th Street
Use the left lane.
18

Turn left onto 19th Avenue

262 ft · 11 sec · 19th Avenue
19

Arrive at destination

19th Avenue

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 44.3 miles from Ponderosa Park, CO, or about 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 29.1 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 19 miles or 30m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 44.3 miles or 56m 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 30m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Greeley, CO than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Ponderosa Park, CO so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Ponderosa Park, CO

This is one driving day of about 88.6 miles and 1h 49m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Ponderosa Park, CO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on E-470 for about 29.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Aurora, CO, CO

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Aurora, CO

44 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

Aurora, CO to Greeley, CO

63 mi · 1h 18m

Pacing Suggestions

Parker, CO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Brighton, CO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 44.3 miles from Ponderosa Park, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Circle K Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 38

Denver, Colorado

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

7Charge Charging Station

2.5 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 44.3

Commerce City, Colorado

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 38

Denver, Colorado

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 44.3

Commerce City, Colorado

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

3 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 38

Denver, Colorado

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

7Charge Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 38

Denver, Colorado

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18447112474

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 31.7

Denver, Colorado

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

3.3 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 31.7

Aurora, Colorado

Hours: Open 24 hours

+13033403463

Visit website

Railbender Skate & Tennis Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 12.7

Parker, Colorado

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+13038414500

Visit website

Island Grove Regional Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 88.6

Greeley, Colorado

Hours: 7 am–3:30 pm

+19703509392

Visit website

Green Valley Ranch East Park

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 31.7

Denver, Colorado

Hours: 5 am–11 pm

+17209131311

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 15

5 decision points cluster between mile 44.3 and 87.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
44.3 mi into trip | ~56m in

Take the exit toward I 76 East: Fort Morgan

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 35 Toward I 76 East: Fort Morgan
7
60.8 mi into trip | ~1h 13m in

Take the exit toward Kersey Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 34 Toward Kersey Road
7
86.7 mi into trip | ~1h 45m in | US 34 Business; US 85 Business / 8th Avenue

At end of road, turn right onto US 34 Business; US 85 Business / 8th Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
6
87.5 mi into trip | ~1h 47m in | US 34 Business / 10th Street

Turn left onto US 34 Business / 10th Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
7
87.7 mi into trip | ~1h 47m in | US 34 Business / 10th Avenue

Turn right onto US 34 Business / 10th Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$13.35 one way

$26.70 round trip

$3.83/gal 25.4 MPG avg 31 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.05 $14.13 $28.27
premium $4.39 $15.33 $30.65
diesel $5.61 $19.56 $39.12

Estimated Tolls: $3.49

E-470 (29.1 mi) $3.49

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

$13

Tolls

$3

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$42–$67

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 31 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 26.6 0 $9.30 $4.25
Efficient EV 22.2 0 $7.75 $3.54
EV Truck/SUV 35.4 0 $12.40 $5.67

Gas CO2

31 kg

EV CO2

10 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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Ponderosa Park, CO

Afternoon in Ponderosa Park on Saturday

Local time

12:27 PM

MDT

Current temp

43°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Greeley, CO

Afternoon in Greeley on Saturday

Local time

12:27 PM

MDT

Current temp

80°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

37 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

1h 49m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

88.6 mi in 1h 49m across surface roads — expect steady turns and local traffic rather than long highway runs.

Only 17% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 29.1 mi on E-470.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

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 44.3 miles in.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 88.6 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 44.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 60.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 86.7 miles (US 34 Business; US 85 Business / 8th Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Ponderosa Park, CO and Greeley, CO, road signs point toward E470 Toll and Denver International Airport.

E470 Toll

14.7 mi in | ~26m

Denver International Airport

14.7 mi in | ~26m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 49m. Total distance: 88.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 29.1 miles on E-470. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $3.49 in tolls one way, starting with E-470. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Greeley, CO before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.

The main spots that need attention: at 44.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 60.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 86.7 miles (US 34 Business; US 85 Business / 8th Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Greeley, CO before heading back.

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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