Origin
Aurora, CO
Evening in Aurora on Sunday
Local time
7:35 PM
MDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Aurora, CO to Cripple Creek, CO
Drive Time
2h 24m
Distance
109.1 mi
176 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$17
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 15m
★
6 AM
2h 25m
8 AM
2h 45m
10 AM
2h 32m
12 PM
2h 30m
3 PM
2h 33m
5 PM
2h 44m
8 PM
2h 19m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Aurora, CO
Raul Kozenevski
Cripple Creek, CO
Tom Fisk
Trip Overview
If you are looking to escape Aurora for a change of scenery in Cripple Creek, this 109.1-mile journey is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion. You should budget about 2 hours and 24 minutes of driving time each way, making it an accessible trip for a weekend getaway. Expect to spend approximately $17 on fuel for the round trip, which remains quite reasonable for a mountain escape. Because the drive is relatively short, you do not need to worry about splitting this into multiple days unless you prefer a slower pace. You will be traveling entirely within the Mountain West region, moving from the suburban landscape of Aurora into the higher elevations of the Colorado mountains. It is a straightforward route that provides a solid balance between highway efficiency and local road navigation.
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
54.5 miles from Aurora, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 59m into the drive .
Drive Character
This trip features a mixed drive profile that keeps the experience varied as you transition between road types. You will spend about 48 percent of your time on highways, with your longest uninterrupted stint covering 51.6 miles along the South Valley Highway. As you move off the main arterials and onto South State Highway 67 and the Midland Expressway, the personality of the road shifts from a standard highway grind to a more technical drive. Navigating these different road classifications means you will experience distinct changes in traffic flow and terrain. Staying alert is key, as the shift from high-speed highway segments to local road stretches requires you to adjust your driving style throughout the 2-hour and 24-minute duration.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 25 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
South Valley Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 51.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near North Zion Street.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 109.1 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 0.2 miles (North Zion Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.3 miles (CO 30 / East 6th Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
North Zion Street
At end of road, turn right onto North Zion Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
6
0.3 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
CO 30 / East 6th Avenue
Turn left onto CO 30 / East 6th Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
7
9.2 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 slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 25 South: Colorado Springs
7
64.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 10m in
Take the exit toward Fillmore Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 145
Toward Fillmore Street
8
64.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 11m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Fillmore Street West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Fillmore Street West
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Aurora, CO to Cripple Creek, CO, road signs begin pointing toward Fillmore Street West along the way.
Fillmore Street West
64.8 mi in
|
~1h 11m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South Valley Highway | 51.6 mi | 54m |
| South State Highway 67 | 18.1 mi | 31m |
| Midland Expressway | 15.7 mi | 23m |
| I 225 | 8.3 mi | 9m |
| US 24 | 6.5 mi | 9m |
| Monument Valley Freeway | 3.3 mi | 3m |
| West Fillmore Street | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| North 31st Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
South Valley Highway
— 51.6 mi, about 54m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Aurora, CO and Cripple Creek, CO.
1
Start on North Vaughn Street
0.2 mi
·
45 sec
·
North Vaughn Street
2
At end of road, turn right onto North Zion Street
509 ft
·
26 sec
·
North Zion Street
3
Turn left onto Vaughn Street
257 ft
·
18 sec
·
Vaughn Street
4
Turn left onto CO 30
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
East 6th Avenue
Use the none lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 225 South
Use the right lane.
6
Merge onto I 225
8.3 mi
·
9 min
·
I 225
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
33 sec
Toward I 25 South: Colorado Springs
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
12 sec
9
Merge onto I 25
52 mi
·
54 min
·
South Valley Highway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 25
3.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Monument Valley Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
Exit 145
Toward Fillmore Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork
232 ft
·
7 sec
Toward Fillmore Street West
Use the slight right lane.
13
Continue on West Fillmore Street
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
West Fillmore Street
14
Continue on Fontmore Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Fontmore Road
15
Continue on West Fontanero Street
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
West Fontanero Street
16
Turn left onto North 31st Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
North 31st Street
17
Turn sharp right onto US 24
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
West Cimarron Street
18
Continue on US 24
16 mi
·
23 min
·
Midland Expressway
Use the none lane.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto US 24; CO 67
6.5 mi
·
9 min
·
US 24; CO 67
20
Turn left onto CO 67
18 mi
·
31 min
·
South State Highway 67
Use the straight lane.
21
Continue on CO 67
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
North 5th Street
22
Turn right onto East Golden Avenue
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
·
East Golden Avenue
23
At end of road, turn left onto North 3rd Street
0.2 mi
·
45 sec
·
North 3rd Street
24
Turn right onto CO 67
0.1 mi
·
29 sec
·
East Bennett Avenue
25
Arrive at destination
CO 67
Trip Plan
To maximize your experience, aim to depart Aurora early in the morning to beat the heaviest traffic on the South Valley Highway. Since the entire trip is just under 110 miles, you have the advantage of flexibility when it comes to scheduling your departure and return. You will cover a significant stretch of 51.6 miles without a planned stop, so ensure your vehicle is fueled up before you hit the main highway segments. Keep in mind that since there are no mandatory stops listed, you should plan your own breaks along the route based on the local road transitions. A great tip for this specific drive is to monitor your fuel levels before leaving the highway, as gas availability can fluctuate once you transition onto the more remote sections of State Highway 67.
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 54.5 miles from Aurora, CO, or about 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 51.6 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 80 miles or 1h 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 54.5 miles or 59m 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 49m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cripple Creek, CO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Aurora, 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 Aurora, CO
This is one driving day of about 109.1 miles and 2h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Aurora, 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 South Valley Highway for about 51.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 54.5 mi from Aurora, CO · 59m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
55 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 54.5 miles from Aurora, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Cripple Creek, CO
The final approach into Cripple Creek, 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 Cripple Creek, 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
$16.53 one way
$33.07 round trip
$3.85/gal
25.4 MPG avg
38 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.08 | $17.54 | $35.08 |
| premium | $4.43 | $19.04 | $38.08 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $24.24 | $48.48 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 38.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 32.7 | 0 | $11.46 | $5.24 |
| Efficient EV | 27.3 | 0 | $9.55 | $4.36 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 43.6 | 0 | $15.27 | $6.98 |
Gas CO2
38 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (66% 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
Cripple Creek, CO
Evening in Cripple Creek on Sunday
Local time
7:35 PM
MDT
Current temp
58°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
8 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
2h 24m 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 Aurora, CO to Cripple Creek, CO covers 109.1 miles and takes about 2h 24m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are South Valley Highway, South State Highway 67, Midland Expressway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 54.5 miles from Aurora, CO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $16.53 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 16 significant decision points across 109.1 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 0.2 miles (North Zion Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.3 miles (CO 30 / East 6th Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Aurora, CO to Cripple Creek, CO, road signs begin pointing toward Fillmore Street West along the way.
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