How far is Paonia, CO from Fort Collins, CO?
The driving distance from Paonia, CO to Fort Collins, CO is about 288.3 miles (464 km), with a travel time of about 05h 14m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 178.4 miles (287.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 29m 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 05h 14m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Town in Summit County, Colorado, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Snow Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Paonia and Fort Collins.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Paonia and Fort Collins.
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1
Start on Orchard Avenue
16 m · 8 sec · Orchard Avenue
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2
Turn left onto 3rd Street
1674 ft · 48 sec · 3rd Street
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3
Turn right onto Grand Avenue
1.3 km · 2 min · Grand Avenue
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4
Turn right
57 mi · 1 hr 34 min
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5
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
29 m · 1 sec
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6
Exit the roundabout
141 m · 10 sec
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7
Continue straight
1.3 km · 2 min
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8
Continue straight
741 ft · 20 sec
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9
Turn left
9.9 mi · 16 min
-
10
Turn left onto 27th Street
693 ft · 14 sec · 27th Street
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11
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward 27th Street
26 m · 2 sec · 27th Street
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12
Exit the roundabout onto 27th Street
621 ft · 13 sec · 27th Street
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13
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Midland Avenue
4 m · 1 sec · Midland Avenue
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14
Exit the roundabout onto Midland Avenue
1.6 mi · 3 min · Midland Avenue
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15
Turn right onto West 8th Street
2084 ft · 51 sec · West 8th Street
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16
Turn left onto Grand Avenue
1204 ft · 41 sec · Grand Avenue
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17
Continue on Laurel Street
740 ft · 38 sec · Laurel Street
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18
Take the exit left
824 ft · 20 sec
-
19
Merge slight left
153.2 mi · 2 hr 57 min
-
20
Keep slight left to continue on Heartland Expressway
5.1 mi · 6 min · Heartland Expressway
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21
Take the exit slight right toward I 25: Fort Collins, Colorado Springs
1098 ft · 21 sec
-
22
Keep slight left to continue on I 25 North: Fort Collins
1.4 mi · 3 min
-
23
Merge slight left onto North Valley Highway
1.4 km · 1 min · North Valley Highway
-
24
Keep slight right to continue on North Valley Highway
4.3 mi · 6 min · North Valley Highway
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25
Keep slight right to continue on North Valley Highway
5.3 mi · 6 min · North Valley Highway
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26
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
41.7 mi · 42 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
-
27
Take the exit slight right toward CO 14 West: Fort Collins
976 ft · 23 sec
-
28
Merge slight left onto East Mulberry Street
4 mi · 7 min · East Mulberry Street
-
29
Continue on West Mulberry Street
1543 ft · 45 sec · West Mulberry Street
-
30
Turn right onto South Meldrum Street
152 m · 29 sec · South Meldrum Street
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31
Turn left onto West Magnolia Street
145 m · 18 sec · West Magnolia Street
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32
Continue on South Sherwood Street
841 ft · 39 sec · South Sherwood Street
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33
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Sherwood Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Paonia and Fort Collins.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Laurel Street
Merge slight left
153 mi · 02h 57m
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.
Sunny leaving Paonia and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance 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 Paonia to Fort Collins?
The road trip is about 288.3 miles (464 km) and usually takes 05h 14m 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?
Frisco is a useful midpoint, sitting about 144.3 miles from Paonia and 144 miles from Fort Collins.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 178.4 miles (287.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 109.9 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 6:30 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $37.65 one way or $75.29 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 90.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Paonia and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Snow Showers near Fort Collins.
Stop Ideas Near Frisco
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 Frisco.
Frisco, Colorado
Vail, Colorado
Fairplay, CO
Fraser – Winter Park
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Paonia and Fort Collins. Straight-line distance: 178.39 mi (287.09 km).
#1 Paonia
City in Delta County, Colorado, United States of America
| Population | 1,474 |
| Coordinates | 38.8683200, -107.5920000 |
| Altitude | 1732 |
| 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: 464 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 36m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 12m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 45m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 48m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 07m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 35m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $37.65 | $75.29 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $41.58 | $83.15 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $44.70 | $89.40 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $48.22 | $96.45 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.