Origin
Arvada, CO
Afternoon in Arvada on Sunday
Local time
3:55 PM
MDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Arvada, CO to Fort Carson, CO
Drive Time
1h 45m
Distance
87.2 mi
140 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 38m
★
6 AM
1h 46m
8 AM
2h 2m
10 AM
1h 51m
12 PM
1h 50m
3 PM
1h 52m
5 PM
2h 1m
8 PM
1h 41m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Arvada, CO
RDNE Stock project
Fort Carson, CO
Jacob Moore
Trip Overview
The drive from Arvada, CO to Fort Carson, CO covers 87.2 miles and takes about 1h 45m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on North Valley Highway, Monument Valley Freeway, South Nevada Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 64.9 miles on North Valley Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $13.21 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
43.6 miles from Arvada, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 52m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a 1h 45m drive with frequent turns across 87.2 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 25 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 64.9 miles.
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 6.3 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 87.2 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 6.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 21 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
6.3 mi into trip
|
~11m in
Take the exit 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 slight right lane.
Exit 274
Toward I 25: Fort Collins, Colorado Springs
9
6.5 mi into trip
|
~11m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 25 South: Washington Street, Colorado Springs
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 25 South: Washington Street, Colorado...
8
6.7 mi into trip
|
~11m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 25 South: Colorado Springs
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 25 South: Colorado Springs
8
7 mi into trip
|
~12m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 25 South: Colorado Springs
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Toward I 25 South: Colorado Springs
8
80 mi into trip
|
~1h 32m in
Take the exit toward CO 115 South: Tejon Street, Nevada Avenue
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.
Exit 140
Toward CO 115 South: Tejon Street, Nevada Avenu...
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Arvada, CO to Fort Carson, CO, road signs begin pointing toward Colorado Springs along the way.
Colorado Springs
6.3 mi in
|
~11m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Valley Highway | 64.9 mi | 1h 11m |
| Monument Valley Freeway | 7.8 mi | 9m |
| South Nevada Avenue | 5.4 mi | 8m |
| I 70 | 3 mi | 4m |
| Ralston Road | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| Sheridan Boulevard | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Nelson Boulevard | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| Wetzel Avenue | 0.4 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
North Valley Highway
— 64.9 mi, about 1h 11m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arvada, CO and Fort Carson, CO.
1
Start on this road
41 ft
·
5 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto Ammons Street
58 ft
·
7 sec
·
Ammons Street
3
Turn left
313 ft
·
25 sec
4
At end of road, turn right onto Allison Street
172 ft
·
13 sec
·
Allison Street
5
Turn left onto Ralston Road
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Ralston Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
6
Turn right onto CO 95
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Sheridan Boulevard
Use the right lane.
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Toward I 70 East
Use the right lane.
8
Merge onto I 70
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
I 70
Use the right lane.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
Exit 274
Toward I 25: Fort Collins, Colorado Springs
Use the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
Toward I 25 South: Washington Street, Colorado Springs
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward I 25 South: Colorado Springs
Use the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto Grand Army of the Republic Highway
0.2 mi
·
11 sec
·
Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Toward I 25 South
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward I 25 South: Colorado Springs
Use the none lane.
14
Merge onto I 25
65 mi
·
1 hr 11 min
·
North Valley Highway
Use the none lane.
15
Continue on I 25
7.8 mi
·
9 min
·
Monument Valley Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 140
Toward CO 115 South: Tejon Street, Nevada Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn right onto CO 115
5.4 mi
·
8 min
·
South Nevada Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Turn left onto Nelson Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
29 sec
·
Nelson Boulevard
Use the left lane.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto Nelson Boulevard
102 ft
·
2 sec
·
Nelson Boulevard
20
Keep slight left at fork onto Nelson Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
Nelson Boulevard
21
Enter roundabout onto Nelson Boulevard
142 ft
·
3 sec
·
Nelson Boulevard
22
Continue on Nelson Boulevard
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Nelson Boulevard
23
Turn right onto Wetzel Avenue
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Wetzel Avenue
24
Turn left onto Prussman Avenue
42 ft
·
1 sec
·
Prussman Avenue
25
Arrive at destination
Prussman Avenue
Trip Plan
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 43.6 miles from Arvada, CO, or about 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 64.9 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 80 miles or 1h 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 43.6 miles or 52m 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 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fort Carson, CO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Arvada, 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 Arvada, CO
This is one driving day of about 87.2 miles and 1h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Arvada, 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 64.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 43.6 mi from Arvada, CO · 52m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
44 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 43.6 miles from Arvada, 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 64.9 miles.
Arriving in Fort Carson, CO
The final approach into Fort Carson, 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 Fort Carson, 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
$13.21 one way
$26.43 round trip
$3.85/gal
25.4 MPG avg
31 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.08 | $14.02 | $28.04 |
| premium | $4.43 | $15.22 | $30.44 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $19.37 | $38.75 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 26.2 | 0 | $9.16 | $4.19 |
| Efficient EV | 21.8 | 0 | $7.63 | $3.49 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 34.9 | 0 | $12.21 | $5.58 |
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (68% 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
Fort Carson, CO
Afternoon in Fort Carson on Sunday
Local time
3:55 PM
MDT
Current temp
64°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 45m 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 Arvada, CO to Fort Carson, CO covers 87.2 miles and takes about 1h 45m 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, South Nevada Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 43.6 miles from Arvada, CO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $13.21 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 21 significant decision points across 87.2 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 6.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Arvada, CO to Fort Carson, CO, road signs begin pointing toward Colorado Springs along the way.
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