How far is Fort Collins, CO from Brighton, CO?
The driving distance from Fort Collins, CO to Brighton, CO is about 53.9 miles (86.8 km), with a travel time of about 01h 03m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 43.7 miles (70.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 07m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 01h 03m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Town in Weld County, Colorado, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Rain Showers Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Fort Collins and Brighton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Collins and Brighton.
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1
Start on South Sherwood Street
841 ft · 41 sec · South Sherwood Street
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2
Continue on West Magnolia Street
145 m · 20 sec · West Magnolia Street
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3
Turn right onto South Meldrum Street
152 m · 29 sec · South Meldrum Street
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4
Turn left onto West Mulberry Street
1494 ft · 42 sec · West Mulberry Street
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5
Continue on East Mulberry Street
3.9 mi · 7 min · East Mulberry Street
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6
Take the exit slight right toward I 25 South: Denver
1355 ft · 33 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
39.7 mi · 40 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward CO 7: Lafayette, Brighton
1996 ft · 51 sec
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9
Turn left
8.8 mi · 12 min
-
10
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward West Bridge Street
47 m · 3 sec · West Bridge Street
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11
Exit the roundabout onto West Bridge Street
77 m · 4 sec · West Bridge Street
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12
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward West Bridge Street
51 m · 3 sec · West Bridge Street
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13
Exit the roundabout onto West Bridge Street
126 m · 14 sec · West Bridge Street
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14
Turn right onto South Main Street
584 ft · 23 sec · South Main Street
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15
Turn left onto Bush Street
126 m · 11 sec · Bush Street
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Bush Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Fort Collins and Brighton.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
39.7 mi · 00h 40m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Fort Collins and Rain Showers Likely near Brighton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Fort Collins to Brighton?
The road trip is about 53.9 miles (86.8 km) and usually takes 01h 03m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Mead is a useful midpoint, sitting about 27 miles from Fort Collins and 27 miles from Brighton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 43.7 miles (70.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.2 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:22 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.03 one way or $14.05 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 16.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Fort Collins and Rain Showers Likely near Brighton.
Stop Ideas Near Mead
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Old Town Hall
Town of Frederick
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Mead.
Longmont, Colorado
Boulder, Colorado
Fort Collins, Colorado
Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Fort Collins and Brighton. Straight-line distance: 43.73 mi (70.37 km).
#1 Fort Collins
The fifth most populous city in Colorado.
| Population | 168,234 |
| Coordinates | 40.5852600, -105.0844200 |
| Altitude | 1525 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Brighton
A city in Adams County, Colorado.
| Population | 40,783 |
| Coordinates | 39.9852600, -104.8205300 |
| Altitude | 1519 |
| Country | United States |
End: Brighton (-104.82053, 39.98526)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 87 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 47m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 20m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 04m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 53m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 46m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 40m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $7.03 | $14.05 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $7.76 | $15.52 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $8.34 | $16.69 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $9.00 | $18.00 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Colorado · Apr 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.