How far is Fort Collins, CO from Salida, CO?
The driving distance from Fort Collins, CO to Salida, CO is about 201.6 miles (324.5 km), with a travel time of about 04h 18m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 149.8 miles (241.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 37m 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 18m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
County seat of Conecuh County, Alabama, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Fort Collins and Salida.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Collins and Salida.
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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
8.7 mi · 10 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward CO 470 East: Colorado Springs
1.1 km · 51 sec
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15
Merge slight left
5.1 mi · 6 min
-
16
Take the exit slight right toward US 285 South: Fairplay
1.1 km · 1 min
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17
Merge slight left
101.5 mi · 2 hr 13 min
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18
At the end of the road, turn left
11.1 mi · 18 min
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19
Continue straight
3.1 mi · 5 min
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20
Turn left
7 mi · 10 min
-
21
Turn right onto Mesa Lane
827 ft · 24 sec · Mesa Lane
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22
Turn left onto Crestone Avenue
847 ft · 23 sec · Crestone Avenue
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23
Continue on Crestone Avenue
1632 ft · 47 sec · Crestone Avenue
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24
At the end of the road, turn right onto Poncha Boulevard
92 m · 14 sec · Poncha Boulevard
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25
Turn left onto West 5th Street
567 ft · 16 sec · West 5th Street
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26
Turn right onto I Street
46 m · 7 sec · I Street
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · I Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Fort Collins and Salida.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
US 285 South
Merge slight left
101 mi · 02h 14m
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 Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Fort Collins and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Salida.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Fort Collins to Salida?
The road trip is about 201.6 miles (324.5 km) and usually takes 04h 18m 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?
Evergreen is a useful midpoint, sitting about 100.8 miles from Fort Collins and 100.8 miles from Salida.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 149.8 miles (241.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 51.8 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 8:22 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.29 one way or $52.59 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 63.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Fort Collins and Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Salida.
Stop Ideas Near Evergreen
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 Evergreen.
Pine Junction, CO
Union Station
Denver (Bus Station), Colorado
Boulder, Colorado
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Fort Collins and Salida. Straight-line distance: 149.82 mi (241.11 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 Salida
City in Chaffee County, Colorado, United States
| Population | 5,690 |
| Coordinates | 38.5347200, -105.9989000 |
| Altitude | 2159 |
| Country | United States |
End: Salida (-105.9989, 38.53472)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 324 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 43m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 02m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 01m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 21m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 52m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 30m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $26.29 | $52.59 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $29.04 | $58.07 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $31.22 | $62.44 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $33.68 | $67.36 |
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 · Jun 02, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.