How far is Salida, CO from Longmont, CO?
The driving distance from Salida, CO to Longmont, CO is about 175.5 miles (282.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 04m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 122.5 miles (197.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 09m 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 03h 04m.
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.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Salida and Longmont.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Salida and Longmont.
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1
Start on I Street
46 m · 9 sec · I Street
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2
Turn left onto West 5th Street
567 ft · 17 sec · West 5th Street
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3
Turn right onto Poncha Boulevard
92 m · 13 sec · Poncha Boulevard
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4
Turn left onto Crestone Avenue
2478 ft · 1 min · Crestone Avenue
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5
Turn right onto North Grant Street
74 m · 6 sec · North Grant Street
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6
Continue on Mesa Lane
585 ft · 18 sec · Mesa Lane
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7
At the end of the road, turn left
6.9 mi · 10 min
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8
Turn right
4.3 mi · 7 min
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9
Continue straight
9.7 mi · 16 min
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward US 285 North
1151 ft · 22 sec
-
11
Merge slight left
73.9 mi · 1 hr 34 min
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12
Continue straight
27.8 mi · 40 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward CO 470 West: West CO 470 to I-70
1552 ft · 53 sec
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14
Merge slight left
5.3 mi · 6 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward I 70: Grand Junction, Denver
955 ft · 16 sec
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16
Keep slight right to continue on I 70 East: Denver
1.3 km · 2 min
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17
Merge slight left
8.5 mi · 10 min
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18
Keep slight left to continue on Heartland Expressway
1.3 mi · 2 min · Heartland Expressway
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19
Take the exit slight right toward CO 95: Sheridan Boulevard
1606 ft · 40 sec
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20
Turn left onto Sheridan Boulevard
4.6 mi · 8 min · Sheridan Boulevard
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21
Turn left onto US 36 West: Boulder
1765 ft · 37 sec
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22
Keep slight left to continue on US 36 West
876 ft · 23 sec
-
23
Merge slight left onto Denver–Boulder Turnpike
1.5 km · 1 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike
-
24
Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike
1.9 mi · 2 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike
-
25
Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike
1.2 km · 52 sec · Denver–Boulder Turnpike
-
26
Take the exit slight right toward CO 121: Wadsworth Parkway
1951 ft · 42 sec
-
27
Turn right
1257 ft · 30 sec
-
28
Continue straight
5.7 mi · 8 min
-
29
Continue straight
1106 ft · 19 sec
-
30
Continue straight
11.5 mi · 16 min
-
31
Turn right onto 5th Avenue
109 m · 20 sec · 5th Avenue
-
32
Turn right onto Kimbark Street
52 m · 9 sec · Kimbark Street
-
33
Turn right
57 m · 16 sec
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34
Turn right
33 m · 8 sec
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35
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Salida and Longmont.
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.
Sunny leaving Salida and Sunny near Longmont.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Salida to Longmont?
The road trip is about 175.5 miles (282.5 km) and usually takes 03h 04m 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?
Montezuma is a useful midpoint, sitting about 83.3 miles from Salida and 92.2 miles from Longmont.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 122.5 miles (197.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 53 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 10:50 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.91 one way or $53.82 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 55 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Salida and Sunny near Longmont.
Stop Ideas Near Montezuma
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 Montezuma.
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Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Salida and Longmont. Straight-line distance: 122.55 mi (197.23 km).
#1 Salida
City in Chaffee County, Colorado, United States
| Population | 5,690 |
| Coordinates | 38.5347200, -105.9989000 |
| Altitude | 2159 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Longmont
The most populous city in Boulder County, Colorado.
| Population | 98,445 |
| Coordinates | 40.1672100, -105.1019300 |
| Altitude | 1519 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-105.101861, 40.16721)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 283 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 50m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 23m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 30m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 55m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 30m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 11m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.35 | $26.91 | $53.82 |
| Mid-grade | $4.74 | $29.32 | $58.64 |
| Premium | $5.08 | $31.42 | $62.84 |
| Diesel | $6.57 | $40.66 | $81.32 |
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 · Oct 17, 2026