How far is Fort Collins, CO from Wheat Ridge, CO?

The driving distance from Fort Collins, CO to Wheat Ridge, CO is about 65 miles (104.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 17m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 56.6 miles (91.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 34m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
64.99 mi
01h 17m
Flight
56.6 mi
91.09 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Fort Collins.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
56.6 mi
Kilometers
91.09 km
Flight Time
00h 06m

Driving Distance

Road route
64.99 mi
Kilometers
104.59 km
Drive Time
01h 17m

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 17m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Wheat Ridge
Tue, May 12, 11:35 PM MDT
Return by in Fort Collins
Wed, May 13, 12:53 AM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Fort Collins
2026-05-12T22:18
Arrive Wheat Ridge
Tue, May 12, 11:35 PM MDT
Route Timing
01h 17m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:17 AM to 11:17 AM MDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
3:56 PM MDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Fort Collins
9:30 PM MDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Mead
CO

Town in Weld County, Colorado, United States

From Fort Collins
32.5 mi
00h 38m
To Wheat Ridge
32.5 mi
00h 38m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
80°F
Tuesday

Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
5 to 12 mph E
Destination
80°F
Tuesday

Sunny

Starts
Tue, May 12 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
3 to 8 mph NNE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Fort Collins and Wheat Ridge.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Fort Collins and Wheat Ridge.

  1. 1

    Start on South Sherwood Street

    841 ft · 41 sec · South Sherwood Street

  2. 2

    Continue on West Magnolia Street

    145 m · 20 sec · West Magnolia Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto South Meldrum Street

    152 m · 29 sec · South Meldrum Street

  4. 4

    Turn left onto West Mulberry Street

    1494 ft · 42 sec · West Mulberry Street

  5. 5

    Continue on East Mulberry Street

    3.9 mi · 7 min · East Mulberry Street

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward I 25 South: Denver

    1355 ft · 33 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

    41.4 mi · 41 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

  8. 8

    Continue on North Valley Highway

    3187 ft · 36 sec · North Valley Highway

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on North Valley Highway

    8.8 mi · 11 min · North Valley Highway

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on North Valley Highway

    1.5 mi · 2 min · North Valley Highway

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward I 76 West: Arvada, Grand Junction

    1.5 km · 2 min

  12. 12

    Merge slight left onto Heartland Expressway

    4.5 mi · 5 min · Heartland Expressway

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward CO 121: Wadsworth Boulevard

    1 km · 1 min

  14. 14

    Keep slight left to continue on CO 121 South: Wadsworth Boulevard

    635 ft · 21 sec

  15. 15

    Turn left onto North Wadsworth Boulevard

    1.1 mi · 2 min · North Wadsworth Boulevard

  16. 16

    Turn slight left

    753 ft · 38 sec

  17. 17

    Turn left onto West 38th Avenue

    1117 ft · 31 sec · West 38th Avenue

  18. 18

    Turn right onto Teller Street

    1205 ft · 35 sec · Teller Street

  19. 19

    Turn right

    7 m · 2 sec

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Fort Collins and Wheat Ridge.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
20 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
30.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
41.4 mi · 64%
North Valley Highway
10.9 mi · 17%
Heartland Expressway
4.54 mi · 7%
East Mulberry Street
3.85 mi · 6%
North Wadsworth Boulevard
1.14 mi · 2%
I 76 West
0.91 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

41.4 mi · 00h 41m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
01h 17m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 34m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+8.4 mi
56.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Mead
00h 38m from Fort Collins
Leave By
3:56 PM MDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Fort Collins and Sunny near Wheat Ridge.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Fort Collins to Wheat Ridge?

The road trip is about 65 miles (104.6 km) and usually takes 01h 17m 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 32.5 miles from Fort Collins and 32.5 miles from Wheat Ridge.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 56.6 miles (91.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.4 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 3:56 PM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $8.47 one way or $16.94 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 20.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Fort Collins and Sunny near Wheat Ridge.

Stop Ideas Near Mead

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Mead and the surrounding midpoint area.
Old Town Hall
Scenic stop 5.9 mi away

Old Town Hall

Frederick , CO
105 Fifth St, Frederick, CO 80530
Rating 4.0/5 2 reviews Historical landmark,History museum
Town of Frederick
Meeting point 5.9 mi away

Town of Frederick

Frederick , CO
401 Locust St, Frederick, CO 80530
Rating 3.8/5 12 reviews City government office,City Hall
Lafayette City Hall
Nearby stop 14.4 mi away

Lafayette City Hall

Lafayette , CO
1290 S Public Rd, Lafayette, CO 80026
Rating 5.0/5 2 reviews City administration

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Mead.

BUS

Longmont, Colorado

11 mi away
623 Main St.
BUS

Boulder, Colorado

31 mi away
30th & Diagonal Highway
BUS

Fort Collins, Colorado

39 mi away
250 North Mason St.
RAIL

Union Station

53 mi away
1701 Wynkoop Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Fort Collins and Wheat Ridge. Straight-line distance: 56.6 mi (91.09 km).

Fort Collins

#1 Fort Collins

The fifth most populous city in Colorado.

Population168,234
Coordinates40.5852600, -105.0844200
Altitude1525
CountryUnited States
Wheat Ridge

#2 Wheat Ridge

City in Colorado, USA

Population31,857
Coordinates39.7661000, -105.0772100
Altitude1664
CountryUnited States
Start: Fort Collins (-105.08442, 40.58526)
End: Wheat Ridge (-105.07721, 39.7661)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 105 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 09m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 37m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 17m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 04m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 55m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 48m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.29 gal
8.68 L · about $8.47
Round trip
$16.94
4.58 gal · 17.36 L
Estimated CO2
20.4 kg one way
Round trip: 40.7 kg / 90 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.70 $8.47 $16.94
Mid-grade $4.08 $9.35 $18.70
Premium $4.39 $10.06 $20.11
Diesel $4.74 $10.85 $21.70

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 13, 2026

There is no time difference between Fort Collins and Wheat Ridge. The current time is 22:18:26.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.