How far is Vail, CO from Longmont, CO?
The driving distance from Vail, CO to Longmont, CO is about 130.1 miles (209.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 17m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 76.6 miles (123.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 35m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 17m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
City in Clear Creek County, Colorado, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Vail and Longmont.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Vail and Longmont.
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1
Start on Wall Street
46 m · 12 sec · Wall Street
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2
Turn left onto Gore Creek Drive
122 m · 18 sec · Gore Creek Drive
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3
Turn slight right onto Willow Bridge Road
146 m · 23 sec · Willow Bridge Road
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4
Turn right onto East Meadow Drive
97 m · 17 sec · East Meadow Drive
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5
Turn left onto Village Center Drive
85 m · 20 sec · Village Center Drive
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6
At the end of the road, turn left onto South Frontage Road East
700 ft · 24 sec · South Frontage Road East
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7
Take the ramp slight right
1391 ft · 34 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Gerald R. Ford Memorial Highway
92.8 mi · 1 hr 51 min · Gerald R. Ford Memorial Highway
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9
Keep slight left to continue on Heartland Expressway
1.3 mi · 2 min · Heartland Expressway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward CO 95: Sheridan Boulevard
1606 ft · 40 sec
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11
Turn left onto Sheridan Boulevard
4.6 mi · 8 min · Sheridan Boulevard
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12
Turn left onto US 36 West: Boulder
1765 ft · 37 sec
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13
Keep slight left to continue on US 36 West
876 ft · 23 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto Denver–Boulder Turnpike
1.5 km · 1 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike
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15
Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike
1.9 mi · 2 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike
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16
Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike
1.2 km · 52 sec · Denver–Boulder Turnpike
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17
Take the exit slight right toward CO 121: Wadsworth Parkway
1951 ft · 42 sec
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18
Turn right
1257 ft · 30 sec
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19
Continue straight
5.7 mi · 8 min
-
20
Continue straight
1106 ft · 19 sec
-
21
Continue straight
11.5 mi · 16 min
-
22
Turn right onto 5th Avenue
109 m · 20 sec · 5th Avenue
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23
Turn right onto Kimbark Street
52 m · 9 sec · Kimbark Street
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24
Turn right
57 m · 16 sec
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25
Turn right
33 m · 8 sec
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Vail 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.
Gerald R. Ford Memorial Highway
Merge slight left onto Gerald R. Ford Memorial Highway
92.8 mi · 01h 51m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Vail and Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Longmont.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Vail to Longmont?
The road trip is about 130.1 miles (209.4 km) and usually takes 02h 17m 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?
Idaho Springs is a useful midpoint, sitting about 60.8 miles from Vail and 69.3 miles from Longmont.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 76.6 miles (123.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 53.5 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 1:54 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.04 one way or $40.07 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 40.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Vail and Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Longmont.
Stop Ideas Near Idaho Springs
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 Idaho Springs.
Pine Junction, CO
Fraser – Winter Park
Boulder, Colorado
Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Vail and Longmont. Straight-line distance: 76.63 mi (123.33 km).
#1 Vail
Home Rule Municipality in Eagle County, Colorado, United States
| Population | 5,489 |
| Coordinates | 39.6402600, -106.3742000 |
| Altitude | 2496 |
| 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: 209 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 20m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 15m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 36m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 10m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 51m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 37m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.37 | $20.04 | $40.07 |
| Mid-grade | $4.77 | $21.88 | $43.76 |
| Premium | $5.10 | $23.43 | $46.85 |
| Diesel | $6.22 | $28.55 | $57.10 |
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 · Sep 23, 2026