How far is Fort Collins, CO from Rifle, CO?
The driving distance from Fort Collins, CO to Rifle, CO is about 243.3 miles (391.5 km), with a travel time of about 04h 37m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 160.1 miles (257.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 14m 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 04h 37m.
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.
Town in Colorado, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Mostly Sunny then Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Fort Collins and Rifle.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Collins and Rifle.
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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
1.5 mi · 2 min · North Valley Highway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward I 76 West: Arvada, Grand Junction
1.5 km · 2 min
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12
Merge slight left onto Heartland Expressway
5.2 mi · 6 min · Heartland Expressway
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13
Merge slight left
179.1 mi · 3 hr 22 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward CO 13 North: Rifle, Meeker
1067 ft · 27 sec
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15
Turn right
2556 ft · 1 min
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16
Continue on Railroad Avenue
1824 ft · 48 sec · Railroad Avenue
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Railroad Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Fort Collins and Rifle.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Heartland Expressway
Merge slight left
179 mi · 03h 22m
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.
Sunny leaving Fort Collins and Mostly Sunny then Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms near Rifle.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Fort Collins to Rifle?
The road trip is about 243.3 miles (391.5 km) and usually takes 04h 37m 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?
Dillon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 121.5 miles from Fort Collins and 121.7 miles from Rifle.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 160.1 miles (257.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 83.2 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:46 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $31.77 one way or $63.53 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 76.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Fort Collins and Mostly Sunny then Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms near Rifle.
Stop Ideas Near Dillon
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 Dillon.
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Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Fort Collins and Rifle. Straight-line distance: 160.1 mi (257.66 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 Rifle
City in Colorado
| Population | 9,775 |
| Coordinates | 39.5347000, -107.7831200 |
| Altitude | 1630 |
| Country | United States |
End: Rifle (-107.78312, 39.5347)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 392 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 06m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 04m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 51m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 03m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 28m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 02m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $31.77 | $63.53 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $35.08 | $70.16 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $37.72 | $75.44 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $40.69 | $81.38 |
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 25, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.