How far is Fort Collins, CO from Cañon City, CO?
The driving distance from Fort Collins, CO to Cañon City, CO is about 178 miles (286.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 35m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 148.4 miles (238.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 10m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 35m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
City in Douglas County, Colorado, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Rain Showers
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Fort Collins and Cañon City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Collins and Cañon City.
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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
41.4 mi · 41 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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8
Continue on North Valley Highway
3187 ft · 36 sec · North Valley Highway
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9
Keep slight right to continue on North Valley Highway
8.8 mi · 11 min · North Valley Highway
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10
Keep slight right to continue on North Valley Highway
70.1 mi · 1 hr 18 min · North Valley Highway
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11
Continue on Monument Valley Freeway
7.8 mi · 9 min · Monument Valley Freeway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward CO 115 South: Tejon Street, Nevada Avenue
2749 ft · 1 min
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13
Turn right onto South Nevada Avenue
30.6 mi · 40 min · South Nevada Avenue
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14
Turn right onto 3rd Street
9.5 mi · 17 min · 3rd Street
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15
At the end of the road, turn left onto Mackenzie Avenue
38 m · 7 sec · Mackenzie Avenue
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16
Turn right onto Royal Gorge Boulevard
3.7 mi · 7 min · Royal Gorge Boulevard
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17
Turn right onto South 4th Street
692 ft · 32 sec · South 4th Street
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18
Turn right onto Macon Avenue
27 m · 4 sec · Macon Avenue
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Macon Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Fort Collins and Cañon City.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
North Valley Highway
Keep slight right to continue on North Valley Highway
70.1 mi · 01h 18m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Rain Showers leaving Fort Collins and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Cañon City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Fort Collins to Cañon City?
The road trip is about 178 miles (286.4 km) and usually takes 03h 35m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Castle Pines is a useful midpoint, sitting about 89 miles from Fort Collins and 88.9 miles from Cañon City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 148.4 miles (238.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 29.6 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:50 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.22 one way or $46.45 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 55.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy then Chance Rain Showers around Fort Collins and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Cañon City.
Stop Ideas Near Castle Pines
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Castle Pines.
Denver (Bus Station), Colorado
Union Station
Pine Junction, CO
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Fort Collins and Cañon City. Straight-line distance: 148.4 mi (238.82 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 Cañon City
City in Colorado, United States
| Population | 16,679 |
| Coordinates | 38.4409800, -105.2424500 |
| Altitude | 1631 |
| Country | United States |
End: Cañon City (-105.24245, 38.44098)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 286 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 55m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 26m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 33m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 57m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 32m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 13m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $23.22 | $46.45 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $25.65 | $51.30 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $27.58 | $55.15 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $29.75 | $59.50 |
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 11, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.