Origin
Aurora, CO
Late night in Aurora on Monday
Local time
2:36 AM
MDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Aurora, CO to Manitou Springs, CO
Drive Time
1h 23m
Distance
70.9 mi
114 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 17m
★
6 AM
1h 24m
8 AM
1h 37m
10 AM
1h 28m
12 PM
1h 27m
3 PM
1h 29m
5 PM
1h 36m
8 PM
1h 20m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Aurora, CO
Raul Kozenevski
Manitou Springs, CO
gabesdotphotos photographer
Trip Overview
If you are planning a quick getaway within the Mountain West, the 70.9-mile journey from Aurora to Manitou Springs is an ideal day trip. You can expect to spend about 1 hour and 23 minutes behind the wheel, making it a manageable excursion that doesn't require an overnight stay. With a modest fuel budget of approximately $11, this drive is as economical as it is convenient. You will navigate via the South Valley Highway, I-225, and the Monument Valley Freeway to reach your destination. Because the entire route remains within Colorado, you will stay comfortably within the familiar geography of the region while transitioning from the suburban outskirts of Aurora to the foothills of Manitou Springs.
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
35.4 miles from Aurora, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 39m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention rather than a mindless cruise down a straight interstate. Only 20% of your travel time will be spent on major highways, meaning you will spend the majority of your trip navigating local routes. The most significant portion of your journey involves a 51.6-mile stretch along the South Valley Highway, which serves as the backbone of your trip. As you move away from the initial highway segments, the road character shifts, requiring you to adapt to the more technical, winding nature of the local roads. This transition provides a distinct contrast to typical high-speed interstate travel, giving you a more grounded feel for the terrain.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 23 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.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
7,229 ft
5,404 ft
Total Climb
2,320 ft
Total Descent
1,373 ft
Highest Point
7,229 ft
~47.3 mi in
Elevation Range
1,826 ft
Notable High Points
5,602 ft at ~5.9 miles
+6 ft prominence
6,404 ft at ~20.7 miles
+117 ft prominence
7,229 ft at ~47.3 miles
+100 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 0.2 miles in near North Zion Street.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 70.9 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 15 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 Manitou Springs, 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 |
| I 225 | 8.3 mi | 9m |
| Monument Valley Freeway | 3.3 mi | 3m |
| Midland Expressway | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| West Fillmore Street | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| North 31st Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Fontmore Road | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Washington Avenue | 0.3 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 Manitou Springs, CO.
1
Start on North Vaughn Street
0.2 mi
·
45 sec
·
North Vaughn Street
2
At the end of the road, turn right onto North Zion Street
509 ft
·
27 sec
·
North Zion Street
3
Turn left onto Vaughn Street
256 ft
·
18 sec
·
Vaughn Street
4
Turn left onto East 6th Avenue
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
East 6th Avenue
5
Take the ramp slight right toward I 225 South
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
I 225 South
6
Merge slight left
8.3 mi
·
9 min
7
Keep slight left to continue on I 25 South: Colorado Springs
0.4 mi
·
34 sec
·
I 25 South: Colorado Springs
8
Keep slight left
0.2 mi
·
12 sec
9
Merge slight left onto South Valley Highway
52 mi
·
54 min
·
South Valley Highway
10
Continue on Monument Valley Freeway
3.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Monument Valley Freeway
11
Take the exit slight right toward Fillmore Street
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
Fillmore Street
12
Keep slight right to continue on Fillmore Street West
233 ft
·
8 sec
·
Fillmore Street West
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
·
34 sec
·
West Fontanero Street
16
Turn left onto North 31st Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
North 31st Street
17
Turn sharp right onto West Cimarron Street
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
West Cimarron Street
18
Continue on Midland Expressway
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Midland Expressway
19
Turn left onto Sunshine Trail
0.2 mi
·
43 sec
·
Sunshine Trail
20
Turn right onto Washington Avenue
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Washington Avenue
21
Turn right onto Cañon Avenue
144 ft
·
7 sec
·
Cañon Avenue
22
Turn right
89 ft
·
7 sec
23
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the advantage of total flexibility in your departure time. You can easily complete the entire 70.9-mile distance without needing any scheduled stops, though you should keep an eye on your fuel gauge before leaving Aurora to ensure you stay within your $11 budget. Given the turn-heavy nature of the final approach, try to avoid traveling during peak rush hours to ensure a smoother transition onto the local roads. If you are prone to motion sickness, take advantage of the highway portions to stabilize your driving before entering the more technical sections of the route. Keeping your pace steady is the best way to handle the mix of high-speed connectors and winding local segments.
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 35.4 miles from Aurora, CO, or about 39m 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 70.9 miles or 1h 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 35.4 miles or 39m 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 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Manitou Springs, 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 70.9 miles and 1h 23m.
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 35.4 mi from Aurora, CO · 39m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
35 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 70.9 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 35.4 miles from Aurora, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Manitou Springs, CO
The final approach into Manitou 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 Manitou 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
$10.74 one way
$21.49 round trip
$3.85/gal
25.4 MPG avg
25 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.08 | $11.40 | $22.80 |
| premium | $4.43 | $12.37 | $24.75 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $15.75 | $31.50 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 24.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 21.3 | 0 | $7.44 | $3.40 |
| Efficient EV | 17.7 | 0 | $6.20 | $2.84 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 28.4 | 0 | $9.93 | $4.54 |
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 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
Manitou Springs, CO
Late night in Manitou Springs on Monday
Local time
2:36 AM
MDT
Current temp
34°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
32 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 23m 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 Manitou Springs, CO covers 70.9 miles and takes about 1h 23m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are South Valley Highway, I 225, Monument Valley Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 35.4 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 $10.74 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 15 significant decision points across 70.9 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 Manitou Springs, CO, road signs begin pointing toward Fillmore Street West along the way.
High-altitude sections with notable climbs. The route ranges from 5,404 ft to 7,229 ft elevation with about 2,320 ft of total climbing. There are 3 notable high points along the way.
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