How far is Monte Vista, CO from Fort Collins, CO?
The driving distance from Monte Vista, CO to Fort Collins, CO is about 277.8 miles (447 km), with a travel time of about 04h 44m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 215.4 miles (346.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 28m 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 44m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 of the United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Monte Vista and Fort Collins.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Monte Vista and Fort Collins.
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1
Start on 2nd Avenue
129 m · 16 sec · 2nd Avenue
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2
Turn right onto South Broadway Street
2442 ft · 1 min · South Broadway Street
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3
Continue on Gunbarrel Road
34.3 mi · 47 min · Gunbarrel Road
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4
Continue on 8th Street
1780 ft · 43 sec · 8th Street
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5
Turn straight
1663 ft · 41 sec
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6
Turn straight
40.2 mi · 51 min
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7
Continue straight
11.2 mi · 18 min
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8
Continue straight
9.7 mi · 16 min
-
9
Take the exit slight right toward US 285 North
1151 ft · 22 sec
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10
Merge slight left
73.9 mi · 1 hr 34 min
-
11
Continue straight
27.8 mi · 40 min
-
12
Take the exit slight right toward CO 470 West: West CO 470 to I-70
1552 ft · 53 sec
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13
Merge slight left
5.3 mi · 6 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward I 70: Grand Junction, Denver
955 ft · 16 sec
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15
Keep slight right to continue on I 70 East: Denver
1.3 km · 2 min
-
16
Merge slight left
8.5 mi · 10 min
-
17
Keep slight left to continue on Heartland Expressway
5.1 mi · 6 min · Heartland Expressway
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18
Take the exit slight right toward I 25: Fort Collins, Colorado Springs
1098 ft · 21 sec
-
19
Keep slight left to continue on I 25 North: Fort Collins
1.4 mi · 3 min
-
20
Merge slight left onto North Valley Highway
1.4 km · 1 min · North Valley Highway
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21
Keep slight right to continue on North Valley Highway
4.3 mi · 6 min · North Valley Highway
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22
Keep slight right to continue on North Valley Highway
5.3 mi · 6 min · North Valley Highway
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23
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
41.7 mi · 42 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
-
24
Take the exit slight right toward CO 14 West: Fort Collins
976 ft · 23 sec
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25
Merge slight left onto East Mulberry Street
4 mi · 7 min · East Mulberry Street
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26
Continue on West Mulberry Street
1543 ft · 45 sec · West Mulberry Street
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27
Turn right onto South Meldrum Street
152 m · 29 sec · South Meldrum Street
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28
Turn left onto West Magnolia Street
145 m · 18 sec · West Magnolia Street
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29
Continue on South Sherwood Street
841 ft · 39 sec · South Sherwood Street
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30
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Sherwood Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Monte Vista 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.
US 285 North
Merge slight left
73.9 mi · 01h 34m
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.
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Monte Vista and Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Fort Collins.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Monte Vista to Fort Collins?
The road trip is about 277.8 miles (447 km) and usually takes 04h 44m 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?
Fairplay is a useful midpoint, sitting about 138.6 miles from Monte Vista and 139.1 miles from Fort Collins.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 215.4 miles (346.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 62.4 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:32 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $36.24 one way or $72.48 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 87.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Monte Vista and Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Fort Collins.
Stop Ideas Near Fairplay
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 Fairplay.
Fairplay, CO
Frisco, Colorado
Buena Vista, CO
Vail, Colorado
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Monte Vista and Fort Collins. Straight-line distance: 215.39 mi (346.63 km).
#1 Monte Vista
Home rule municipality in Colorado
| Population | 4,067 |
| Coordinates | 37.5791700, -106.1480800 |
| Altitude | 2336 |
| 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: 447 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 15m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 56m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 33m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 37m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 58m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 27m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $36.24 | $72.48 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $40.02 | $80.05 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $43.03 | $86.06 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $46.42 | $92.85 |
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 03, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.