How far is Lafayette, CO from Fort Collins, CO?
The driving distance from Lafayette, CO to Fort Collins, CO is about 51.6 miles (83.1 km), with a travel time of about 00h 59m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 40.9 miles (65.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 59m 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 00h 59m.
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.
Town in Weld County, Colorado, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lafayette and Fort Collins.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lafayette and Fort Collins.
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1
Start on the route
28 m · 14 sec
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2
Turn sharp left
24 m · 7 sec
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3
Turn left onto South Harrison Avenue
2365 ft · 2 min · South Harrison Avenue
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4
At the end of the road, turn right onto East Baseline Road
3.5 mi · 6 min · East Baseline Road
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5
Continue straight
1.3 km · 1 min
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6
Continue straight
1.5 mi · 2 min
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7
Turn left onto I 25 North
1758 ft · 43 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
39.9 mi · 40 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward CO 14 West: Fort Collins
976 ft · 23 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto East Mulberry Street
4 mi · 7 min · East Mulberry Street
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11
Continue on West Mulberry Street
1543 ft · 45 sec · West Mulberry Street
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12
Turn right onto South Meldrum Street
152 m · 29 sec · South Meldrum Street
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13
Turn left onto West Magnolia Street
145 m · 18 sec · West Magnolia Street
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14
Continue on South Sherwood Street
841 ft · 39 sec · South Sherwood Street
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Sherwood Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lafayette and Fort Collins.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
39.9 mi · 00h 40m
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 leaving Lafayette and Mostly Sunny near Fort Collins.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lafayette to Fort Collins?
The road trip is about 51.6 miles (83.1 km) and usually takes 00h 59m 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 25.7 miles from Lafayette and 26 miles from Fort Collins.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 40.9 miles (65.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.7 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 4:30 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.73 one way or $13.46 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 16.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Lafayette and Mostly Sunny near Fort Collins.
Stop Ideas Near Mead
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Old Town Hall
Town of Frederick
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Mead.
Longmont, Colorado
Boulder, Colorado
Fort Collins, Colorado
Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lafayette and Fort Collins. Straight-line distance: 40.88 mi (65.79 km).
#1 Lafayette
City in Colorado
| Population | 28,579 |
| Coordinates | 39.9936000, -105.0897100 |
| Altitude | 1588 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Fort Collins
The fifth most populous city in Colorado.
| Population | 168,234 |
| Coordinates | 40.5852600, -105.0844200 |
| Altitude | 1525 |
| Country | United States |
End: South Sherwood Street (-105.08428, 40.58526)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 83 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 43m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 17m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 01m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 51m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 44m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 38m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $6.73 | $13.46 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $7.43 | $14.87 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $7.99 | $15.98 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $8.62 | $17.24 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.