How far is Fort Collins, CO from Palmer Lake, CO?
The driving distance from Fort Collins, CO to Palmer Lake, CO is about 113.6 miles (182.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 11m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 101.5 miles (163.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 23m 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 02h 11m.
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.
Census-designated place in Adams County, Colorado
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Fort Collins and Palmer Lake.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Collins and Palmer Lake.
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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
54.6 mi · 1 hr 2 min · North Valley Highway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward County Line Road
1603 ft · 43 sec
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12
Turn right onto County Line Road;West Palmer Divide Avenue
2.5 mi · 5 min · County Line Road;West Palmer Divide Avenue
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13
At the end of the road, turn left onto Spruce Mountain Road
71 m · 7 sec · Spruce Mountain Road
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14
Continue straight
2072 ft · 1 min
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15
Turn right onto Pie Corner
610 ft · 31 sec · Pie Corner
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16
At the end of the road, turn left onto Upper Glenway
68 m · 10 sec · Upper Glenway
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Upper Glenway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Fort Collins and Palmer Lake.
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
54.6 mi · 01h 02m
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.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Fort Collins and Sunny near Palmer Lake.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Fort Collins to Palmer Lake?
The road trip is about 113.6 miles (182.8 km) and usually takes 02h 11m 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?
Sherrelwood is a useful midpoint, sitting about 56.9 miles from Fort Collins and 56.7 miles from Palmer Lake.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 101.5 miles (163.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.1 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 2:06 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $14.83 one way or $29.66 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 35.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Fort Collins and Sunny near Palmer Lake.
Stop Ideas Near Sherrelwood
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Fairplay Park
Denver City Council
Lafayette City Hall
Municipal Court Park
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Sherrelwood.
Union Station
Denver (Bus Station), Colorado
Boulder, Colorado
Longmont, Colorado
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Fort Collins and Palmer Lake. Straight-line distance: 101.48 mi (163.31 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 Palmer Lake
City in El Paso County, Colorado, United States of America
| Population | 3,037 |
| Coordinates | 39.1222100, -104.9172000 |
| Altitude | 2224 |
| Country | United States |
End: Palmer Lake (-104.9172, 39.12221)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 183 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 47m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 50m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 16m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 53m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 37m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 25m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $14.83 | $29.66 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $16.38 | $32.75 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $17.61 | $35.22 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $19.00 | $37.99 |
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 · May 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.