How far is Idaho Springs, CO from Fort Collins, CO?

The driving distance from Idaho Springs, CO to Fort Collins, CO is about 92.8 miles (149.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 35m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 62.5 miles (100.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 11m 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
92.76 mi
01h 35m
Flight
62.49 mi
100.56 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Idaho Springs.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
62.49 mi
Kilometers
100.56 km
Flight Time
00h 07m

Driving Distance

Road route
92.76 mi
Kilometers
149.29 km
Drive Time
01h 35m

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 35m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Fort Collins
Fri, Apr 17, 4:56 PM MDT
Return by in Idaho Springs
Fri, Apr 17, 6:32 PM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Idaho Springs
2026-04-17T15:20
Arrive Fort Collins
Fri, Apr 17, 4:56 PM MDT
Route Timing
01h 35m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:36 AM to 11:36 AM MDT

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

Leave by
3:18 PM MDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Idaho Springs
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
Lafayette
CO

City in Colorado

From Idaho Springs
46.3 mi
00h 47m
To Fort Collins
46.5 mi
00h 47m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
35°F
Friday

Snow Showers

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
6 to 15 mph ENE
Destination
45°F
Friday

Rain And Snow Showers

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
10 to 21 mph NNE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Idaho Springs and Fort Collins.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Idaho Springs and Fort Collins.

  1. 1

    Start on Riverside Drive

    1 m · 1 sec · Riverside Drive

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Colorado Boulevard

    1.5 km · 2 min · Colorado Boulevard

  3. 3

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Colorado Boulevard

    41 m · 3 sec · Colorado Boulevard

  4. 4

    Exit the roundabout onto Colorado Boulevard

    1418 ft · 36 sec · Colorado Boulevard

  5. 5

    Take the ramp straight toward I 70 east: Denver

    27.6 mi · 33 min

  6. 6

    Keep slight left to continue on Heartland Expressway

    5.1 mi · 6 min · Heartland Expressway

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward I 25: Fort Collins, Colorado Springs

    1098 ft · 21 sec

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on I 25 North: Fort Collins

    1.4 mi · 3 min

  9. 9

    Merge slight left onto North Valley Highway

    1.4 km · 1 min · North Valley Highway

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on North Valley Highway

    4.3 mi · 6 min · North Valley Highway

  11. 11

    Keep slight right to continue on North Valley Highway

    5.3 mi · 6 min · North Valley Highway

  12. 12

    Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

    41.7 mi · 42 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward CO 14 West: Fort Collins

    976 ft · 23 sec

  14. 14

    Merge slight left onto East Mulberry Street

    4 mi · 7 min · East Mulberry Street

  15. 15

    Continue on West Mulberry Street

    1543 ft · 45 sec · West Mulberry Street

  16. 16

    Turn right onto South Meldrum Street

    152 m · 29 sec · South Meldrum Street

  17. 17

    Turn left onto West Magnolia Street

    145 m · 18 sec · West Magnolia Street

  18. 18

    Continue on South Sherwood Street

    841 ft · 39 sec · South Sherwood Street

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South Sherwood Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Idaho Springs and Fort Collins.

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
19 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
2 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
20.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
41.7 mi · 45%
I 70 east
27.6 mi · 30%
North Valley Highway
10.5 mi · 11%
Heartland Expressway
5.09 mi · 5%
East Mulberry Street
4.01 mi · 4%
I 25 North
1.44 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

41.7 mi · 00h 42m

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 35m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 12m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+30.3 mi
62.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Lafayette
00h 47m from Idaho Springs
Leave By
3:18 PM MDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Snow Showers leaving Idaho Springs and Rain And Snow Showers near Fort Collins.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Idaho Springs to Fort Collins?

The road trip is about 92.8 miles (149.3 km) and usually takes 01h 35m 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?

Lafayette is a useful midpoint, sitting about 46.3 miles from Idaho Springs and 46.5 miles from Fort Collins.

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

The direct path is about 62.5 miles (100.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 30.3 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 3:18 PM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $12.09 one way or $24.18 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 29.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Snow Showers around Idaho Springs and Rain And Snow Showers near Fort Collins.

Stop Ideas Near Lafayette

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 Lafayette and the surrounding midpoint area.
Municipal Court Park
Scenic stop 10.5 mi away

Municipal Court Park

Westminster , CO
3025 W 76th Ave, Westminster, CO 80030
Rating 3.8/5 94 reviews Park
Broomfield City Council
Meeting point 6.2 mi away

Broomfield City Council

Broomfield , CO
1 Descombes Dr, Broomfield, CO 80020
Rating 3.9/5 63 reviews City government office
Lafayette City Hall
Nearby stop 5.4 mi away

Lafayette City Hall

Lafayette , CO
1290 S Public Rd, Lafayette, CO 80026
Rating 5.0/5 2 reviews City administration
Historic Brighton City Hall
Scenic stop 9 mi away

Historic Brighton City Hall

Brighton , CO
22 S 4th Ave, Brighton, CO 80601
Rating 4.3/5 31 reviews Historical place,City Hall

Transit and Meeting Points

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

BUS

Boulder, Colorado

18 mi away
30th & Diagonal Highway
BUS

Longmont, Colorado

20 mi away
623 Main St.
BUS

Denver (Bus Station), Colorado

28 mi away
1055 19th Street
RAIL

Union Station

28 mi away
1701 Wynkoop Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Idaho Springs and Fort Collins. Straight-line distance: 62.49 mi (100.56 km).

Idaho Springs

#1 Idaho Springs

City in Clear Creek County, Colorado, United States

Population1,857
Coordinates39.7424900, -105.5136100
Altitude2294
CountryUnited States
Fort Collins

#2 Fort Collins

The fifth most populous city in Colorado.

Population168,234
Coordinates40.5852600, -105.0844200
Altitude1525
CountryUnited States
Start: Colorado Boulevard (-105.51362, 39.742511)
End: South Sherwood Street (-105.08428, 40.58526)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 149 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 05m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 19m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 51m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 32m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 19m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 09m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.27 gal
12.39 L · about $12.09
Round trip
$24.18
6.54 gal · 24.78 L
Estimated CO2
29.1 kg one way
Round trip: 58.1 kg / 128 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.70 $12.09 $24.18
Mid-grade $4.08 $13.35 $26.71
Premium $4.39 $14.36 $28.72
Diesel $4.74 $15.49 $30.98

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 17, 2026

There is no time difference between Idaho Springs and Fort Collins. The current time is 15:20:55.

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.