How far is Vail, CO from Loveland, CO?
The driving distance from Vail, CO to Loveland, CO is about 144.1 miles (231.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 24m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 86.4 miles (139 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 48m 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 24m.
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.
Rain Showers then Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Vail and Loveland.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Vail and Loveland.
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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
5.1 mi · 6 min · Heartland Expressway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 25: Fort Collins, Colorado Springs
1098 ft · 21 sec
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11
Keep slight left to continue on I 25 North: Fort Collins
1.4 mi · 3 min
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12
Merge slight left onto North Valley Highway
1.4 km · 1 min · North Valley Highway
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13
Keep slight right to continue on North Valley Highway
4.3 mi · 6 min · North Valley Highway
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14
Keep slight right to continue on North Valley Highway
5.3 mi · 6 min · North Valley Highway
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15
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
27.3 mi · 27 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward SH 402: Loveland and Greeley Canal
1222 ft · 30 sec
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17
Keep slight left to continue on SH 402: Loveland and Greeley Canal
65 m · 5 sec
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18
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward East State Highway 402
77 m · 14 sec · East State Highway 402
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19
Exit the roundabout onto East State Highway 402
553 ft · 11 sec · East State Highway 402
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20
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward East State Highway 402
44 m · 8 sec · East State Highway 402
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21
Exit the roundabout onto East State Highway 402
2313 ft · 46 sec · East State Highway 402
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22
Continue on 14th Street Southeast
3.7 mi · 7 min · 14th Street Southeast
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23
Take the ramp slight right
56 m · 5 sec
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24
Merge slight left onto South Lincoln Avenue
1.3 mi · 3 min · South Lincoln Avenue
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25
Turn left onto East 6th Street
153 m · 24 sec · East 6th Street
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East 6th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Vail and Loveland.
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 Snow Showers leaving Vail and Rain Showers then Partly Sunny near Loveland.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Vail to Loveland?
The road trip is about 144.1 miles (231.9 km) and usually takes 02h 24m 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 71.9 miles from Vail and 72.2 miles from Loveland.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 86.4 miles (139 km), while the road route adds roughly 57.7 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 1:42 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.01 one way or $44.03 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 45.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Snow Showers around Vail and Rain Showers then Partly Sunny near Loveland.
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 Loveland. Straight-line distance: 86.4 mi (139.05 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 Loveland
The eighth most populous city in Colorado.
| Population | 83,517 |
| Coordinates | 40.3977600, -105.0749800 |
| Altitude | 1519 |
| Country | United States |
End: East 6th Street (-105.074985, 40.397553)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 232 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 48m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 36m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 52m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 24m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 03m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 47m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.33 | $22.01 | $44.03 |
| Mid-grade | $4.72 | $24.02 | $48.04 |
| Premium | $5.06 | $25.77 | $51.54 |
| Diesel | $6.52 | $33.17 | $66.34 |
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 15, 2026