How far is Rifle, CO from Fort Collins, CO?
The driving distance from Rifle, CO to Fort Collins, CO is about 244.1 miles (392.9 km), with a travel time of about 04h 03m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 160.1 miles (257.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 06m 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 03m.
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 in Colorado, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Rifle and Fort Collins.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rifle and Fort Collins.
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1
Start on Railroad Avenue
1824 ft · 50 sec · Railroad Avenue
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2
Continue straight
3057 ft · 1 min
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3
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
77 m · 5 sec
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4
Exit the roundabout
1311 ft · 32 sec
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5
Merge slight left
179.1 mi · 3 hr 25 min
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6
Keep slight left to continue on Heartland Expressway
5.1 mi · 6 min · Heartland Expressway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 25: Fort Collins, Colorado Springs
1098 ft · 21 sec
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8
Keep slight left to continue on I 25 North: Fort Collins
1.4 mi · 3 min
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9
Merge slight left onto North Valley Highway
1.4 km · 1 min · North Valley Highway
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10
Keep slight right to continue on North Valley Highway
4.3 mi · 6 min · North Valley Highway
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11
Keep slight right to continue on North Valley Highway
5.3 mi · 6 min · North Valley Highway
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12
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
41.7 mi · 42 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward CO 14 West: Fort Collins
976 ft · 23 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto East Mulberry Street
4 mi · 7 min · East Mulberry Street
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15
Continue on West Mulberry Street
1543 ft · 45 sec · West Mulberry Street
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16
Turn right onto South Meldrum Street
152 m · 29 sec · South Meldrum Street
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17
Turn left onto West Magnolia Street
145 m · 18 sec · West Magnolia Street
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18
Continue on South Sherwood Street
841 ft · 39 sec · South Sherwood Street
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Sherwood Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Rifle 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.
Railroad Avenue
Merge slight left
179 mi · 03h 25m
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.
Mostly Sunny then Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Rifle and Sunny near Fort Collins.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Rifle to Fort Collins?
The road trip is about 244.1 miles (392.9 km) and usually takes 04h 03m 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?
Dillon is a useful midpoint, sitting about 121.9 miles from Rifle and 122.3 miles from Fort Collins.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 160.1 miles (257.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 84 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 8:54 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $31.84 one way or $63.68 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 76.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms around Rifle and Sunny near Fort Collins.
Stop Ideas Near Dillon
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 Dillon.
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Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Rifle and Fort Collins. Straight-line distance: 160.1 mi (257.66 km).
#1 Rifle
City in Colorado
| Population | 9,775 |
| Coordinates | 39.5347000, -107.7831200 |
| Altitude | 1630 |
| 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: 393 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 08m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 06m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 52m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 04m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 29m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 02m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $31.84 | $63.68 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $35.16 | $70.33 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $37.81 | $75.61 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $40.79 | $81.57 |
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 · May 25, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.