How far is Leadville, CO from Fort Collins, CO?

The driving distance from Leadville, CO to Fort Collins, CO is about 160.8 miles (258.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 48m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 112.2 miles (180.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 36m 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
160.84 mi
02h 48m
Flight
112.24 mi
180.64 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Leadville.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
112.24 mi
Kilometers
180.64 km
Flight Time
00h 13m

Driving Distance

Road route
160.84 mi
Kilometers
258.85 km
Drive Time
02h 48m

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 02h 48m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Fort Collins
Wed, Apr 22, 9:11 PM MDT
Return by in Leadville
Wed, Apr 22, 11:59 PM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Leadville
2026-04-22T18:22
Arrive Fort Collins
Wed, Apr 22, 9:11 PM MDT
Route Timing
02h 48m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:48 AM to 12:48 PM MDT

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

Leave by
12:54 PM MDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Leadville
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
Genesee
CO

City in Idaho

From Leadville
80.3 mi
01h 24m
To Fort Collins
80.6 mi
01h 24m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
56°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
5 to 25 mph SW
Destination
82°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
7 to 23 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Leadville and Fort Collins.

  1. 1

    Start on Harrison Avenue

    39 m · 6 sec · Harrison Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn left onto West 9th Street

    16 m · 2 sec · West 9th Street

  3. 3

    Turn slight right onto Harrison Avenue

    88 m · 16 sec · Harrison Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn right onto East 10th Street

    634 ft · 33 sec · East 10th Street

  5. 5

    Turn left onto Poplar Street

    1.5 km · 2 min · Poplar Street

  6. 6

    Continue straight

    22.1 mi · 28 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward I 70 East

    1738 ft · 33 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left

    73.4 mi · 1 hr 29 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on Heartland Expressway

    5.1 mi · 6 min · Heartland Expressway

  10. 10

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

    1098 ft · 21 sec

  11. 11

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

    1.4 mi · 3 min

  12. 12

    Merge slight left onto North Valley Highway

    1.4 km · 1 min · North Valley Highway

  13. 13

    Keep slight right to continue on North Valley Highway

    4.3 mi · 6 min · North Valley Highway

  14. 14

    Keep slight right to continue on North Valley Highway

    5.3 mi · 6 min · North Valley Highway

  15. 15

    Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

    41.7 mi · 42 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

  16. 16

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

    976 ft · 23 sec

  17. 17

    Merge slight left onto East Mulberry Street

    4 mi · 7 min · East Mulberry Street

  18. 18

    Continue on West Mulberry Street

    1543 ft · 45 sec · West Mulberry Street

  19. 19

    Turn right onto South Meldrum Street

    152 m · 29 sec · South Meldrum Street

  20. 20

    Turn left onto West Magnolia Street

    145 m · 18 sec · West Magnolia Street

  21. 21

    Continue on South Sherwood Street

    841 ft · 39 sec · South Sherwood Street

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South Sherwood Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Leadville 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
22 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
3 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
13.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 70 East
73.7 mi · 46%
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
41.7 mi · 26%
Poplar Street
23 mi · 14%
North Valley Highway
10.5 mi · 7%
Heartland Expressway
5.09 mi · 3%
East Mulberry Street
4.01 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

I 70 East

Merge slight left

73.4 mi · 01h 29m

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
02h 48m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 36m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+48.6 mi
112.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Genesee
01h 24m from Leadville
Leave By
12:54 PM MDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Leadville 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 Leadville to Fort Collins?

The road trip is about 160.8 miles (258.8 km) and usually takes 02h 48m 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?

Genesee is a useful midpoint, sitting about 80.3 miles from Leadville and 80.6 miles from Fort Collins.

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

The direct path is about 112.2 miles (180.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 48.6 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 12:54 PM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.97 one way or $41.94 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 50.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Leadville and Mostly Sunny near Fort Collins.

Stop Ideas Near Genesee

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Genesee, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

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

BUS

Denver (Bus Station), Colorado

25 mi away
1055 19th Street
RAIL

Union Station

25 mi away
1701 Wynkoop Street
BUS

Pine Junction, CO

27 mi away
76 Mount Evans Boulevard
BUS

Boulder, Colorado

41 mi away
30th & Diagonal Highway

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Leadville and Fort Collins. Straight-line distance: 112.24 mi (180.64 km).

Leadville

#1 Leadville

Statutory city and county seat of Lake County, Colorado, United States

Population2,773
Coordinates39.2508200, -106.2925200
Altitude3097
CountryUnited States
Fort Collins

#2 Fort Collins

The fifth most populous city in Colorado.

Population168,234
Coordinates40.5852600, -105.0844200
Altitude1525
CountryUnited States
Start: US 24 (-106.292637, 39.250794)
End: South Sherwood Street (-105.08428, 40.58526)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 259 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 21m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 01m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 13m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 40m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 17m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 00m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.67 gal
21.48 L · about $20.97
Round trip
$41.94
11.34 gal · 42.96 L
Estimated CO2
50.4 kg one way
Round trip: 100.8 kg / 222 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.70 $20.97 $41.94
Mid-grade $4.08 $23.16 $46.31
Premium $4.39 $24.90 $49.79
Diesel $4.74 $26.86 $53.72

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

There is no time difference between Leadville and Fort Collins. The current time is 18:22:41.

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.