Origin
Applewood, CO
Evening in Applewood on Sunday
Local time
6:25 PM
MDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Applewood, CO to Colorado Springs, CO
Drive Time
1h 35m
Distance
78.5 mi
126 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 28m
★
6 AM
1h 35m
8 AM
1h 50m
10 AM
1h 40m
12 PM
1h 39m
3 PM
1h 41m
5 PM
1h 49m
8 PM
1h 31m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Applewood, CO
Piotr Arnoldes
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from Applewood to Colorado Springs, you are looking at a 78.5-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 35 minutes. This trek stays entirely within the Mountain West, making it a straightforward day trip that does not require an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $12 for fuel, keeping your travel costs quite manageable. Because there are no mandatory stops scheduled, you can easily complete the drive in one efficient push. It serves as a practical connection between these two Colorado locations, offering a reliable path for travelers looking to move between regions quickly.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
39.2 miles from Applewood, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 50m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. While you will spend about 15% of your time on highways, the route relies heavily on local navigation to connect the North Valley Highway, Monument Valley Freeway, and West 6th Avenue Freeway. You will encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 60.6 miles while cruising on the North Valley Highway. This mix of freeway segments and technical local roads creates a varied experience that shifts as you move from the initial highway portions into the more localized sections of the route.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
North Valley Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 60.6 miles.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
7,227 ft
5,233 ft
Total Climb
2,268 ft
Total Descent
1,840 ft
Highest Point
7,227 ft
~55.6 mi in
Elevation Range
1,994 ft
Notable High Points
5,618 ft at ~3.3 miles
+38 ft prominence
6,413 ft at ~32.7 miles
+203 ft prominence
7,227 ft at ~55.6 miles
+248 ft prominence
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in near West 20th Avenue.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 78.5 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1 miles (West 20th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 4.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 9.7 miles (US 6): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
1 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
West 20th Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto West 20th Avenue
Navigation decision point
7
4.1 mi into trip
|
~10m in
Turn left toward US 6 East
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Toward US 6 East
7
9.7 mi into trip
|
~17m in
|
US 6
Take the exit onto US 6 toward I 25: Fort Collins, Colorado Springs
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 25: Fort Collins, Colorado Springs
7
77.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 31m in
Take the exit toward Bijou Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 142
Toward Bijou Street
8
77.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 32m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 25: Downtown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Toward I 25: Downtown
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Valley Highway | 60.6 mi | 1h 5m |
| Monument Valley Freeway | 5.9 mi | 6m |
| West 6th Avenue Freeway | 5 mi | 6m |
| West 20th Avenue | 1.5 mi | 3m |
| Simms Street | 1.5 mi | 3m |
| Eldridge Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| US 6 | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| East Kiowa Street | 0.3 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
North Valley Highway
— 60.6 mi, about 1h 5m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Applewood, CO and Colorado Springs, CO.
1
Start on Garden Road
372 ft
·
16 sec
·
Garden Road
2
Continue on Berry Road
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Berry Road
3
Turn right onto CR 18
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Eldridge Street
4
At end of road, turn left onto West 20th Avenue
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
West 20th Avenue
5
Turn left onto West 20th Avenue
1.3 mi
·
3 min
·
West 20th Avenue
6
Turn right onto Simms Street
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Simms Street
7
Continue on Union Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
Union Boulevard
8
Turn left
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 6 East
Use the straight / left lanes.
9
Merge onto US 6
5.0 mi
·
6 min
·
West 6th Avenue Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit onto US 6
0.6 mi
·
59 sec
·
US 6
Toward I 25: Fort Collins, Colorado Springs
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 25 South: Colorado Springs
12
Merge onto I 25
61 mi
·
1 hr 5 min
·
North Valley Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 25
5.9 mi
·
6 min
·
Monument Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 142
Toward Bijou Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork
495 ft
·
14 sec
Toward I 25: Downtown
Use the straight / left lanes.
16
Turn left onto West Bijou Street
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
West Bijou Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
17
Continue on West Kiowa Street
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
West Kiowa Street
18
Continue on East Kiowa Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
East Kiowa Street
19
Turn right onto North Weber Street
490 ft
·
17 sec
·
North Weber Street
20
Turn right onto East Pikes Peak Avenue
422 ft
·
14 sec
·
East Pikes Peak Avenue
21
Arrive at destination
East Pikes Peak Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time to avoid the heaviest traffic. With no required stops, you can pace the 1 hour and 35 minutes however you prefer, though keeping an eye on your fuel levels before starting is a smart move given the $12 estimated cost. Pay close attention to the transition points between the North Valley Highway and the local road segments, as these areas require more frequent maneuvering. Because the route is turn-heavy, double-check your navigation before setting out to ensure you stay on the correct path during the transition to the Monument Valley Freeway.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 39.2 miles from Applewood, CO, or about 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 60.6 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 78.5 miles or 1h 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39.2 miles or 50m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Colorado Springs, CO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Applewood, CO so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Applewood, CO
This is one driving day of about 78.5 miles and 1h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Applewood, CO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on North Valley Highway for about 60.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 39.2 mi from Applewood, CO · 50m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
39 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 78.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 39.2 miles from Applewood, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before North Valley Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 60.6 miles.
Arriving in Colorado Springs, CO
The final approach into Colorado Springs, CO usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Colorado Springs, CO.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.90 one way
$23.79 round trip
$3.85/gal
25.4 MPG avg
28 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.08 | $12.62 | $25.24 |
| premium | $4.43 | $13.70 | $27.40 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $17.44 | $34.88 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 23.6 | 0 | $8.24 | $3.77 |
| Efficient EV | 19.6 | 0 | $6.87 | $3.14 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 31.4 | 0 | $10.99 | $5.02 |
Gas CO2
27 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Colorado Springs, CO
Evening in Colorado Springs on Sunday
Local time
6:25 PM
MDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
1 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 35m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Applewood, CO to Colorado Springs, CO covers 78.5 miles and takes about 1h 35m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are North Valley Highway, Monument Valley Freeway, West 6th Avenue Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 39.2 miles from Applewood, CO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $11.90 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 78.5 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 1 miles (West 20th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 4.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 9.7 miles (US 6): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Applewood, CO to Colorado Springs, CO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
High-altitude sections with notable climbs. The route ranges from 5,233 ft to 7,227 ft elevation with about 2,268 ft of total climbing. There are 3 notable high points along the way.
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