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Trip from Boulder, CO to Colorado Springs, CO

Drive Time

1h 53m

Distance

97.2 mi

156 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$15

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

10 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 25 min
4 AM
1h 45m ★
6 AM
1h 53m
8 AM
2h 10m
10 AM
1h 59m
12 PM
1h 58m
3 PM
2h 0m
5 PM
2h 9m
8 PM
1h 48m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Boulder, CO, CO

Boulder, CO

Dmitriy Piskarev

Trip Overview

The drive from Boulder, CO to Colorado Springs, CO covers 97.2 miles and takes about 1h 53m 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, Denver–Boulder Turnpike, Monument Valley Freeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 68.1 miles on North Valley Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $14.73 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

48.6 miles from Boulder, CO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 57m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a 1h 53m drive with frequent turns across 97.2 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 68.1 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 early in the drive near Arapahoe Avenue.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 97.2 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: near the start (Arapahoe Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 18 miles (US 36 / Denver–Boulder Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 20 miles (US 36 / Denver–Boulder Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 19 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

6
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | Arapahoe Avenue

Turn left onto Arapahoe Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left / straight / right lanes.
6
18 mi into trip | ~22m in | US 36 / Denver–Boulder Turnpike

Keep slight right at fork onto US 36 / Denver–Boulder Turnpike

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
20 mi into trip | ~25m in | US 36 / Denver–Boulder Turnpike

Keep slight right at fork onto US 36 / Denver–Boulder Turnpike toward I 25: Denver, Fort Collins

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 25: Denver, Fort Collins
7
96 mi into trip | ~1h 50m 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
96.2 mi into trip | ~1h 50m 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

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Boulder, CO to Colorado Springs, CO, road signs begin pointing toward Fort Collins along the way.

Fort Collins

20 mi in | ~25m | via US 36

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
North Valley Highway 68.1 mi 1h 15m
Denver–Boulder Turnpike 19.7 mi 23m
Monument Valley Freeway 5.9 mi 6m
28th Street 0.8 mi 1m
Arapahoe Avenue 0.6 mi 1m
I 25 0.4 mi <1m
East Kiowa Street 0.3 mi 1m
West Kiowa Street 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: North Valley Highway — 68.1 mi, about 1h 15m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Boulder, CO and Colorado Springs, CO.

1

Start on this road

87 ft · 6 sec · this road
2

Turn right onto 19th Street

143 ft · 13 sec · 19th Street
3

Turn left onto Arapahoe Avenue

0.6 mi · 1 min · Arapahoe Avenue
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
4

Turn right onto US 36

0.8 mi · 1 min · 28th Street
5

Turn straight onto US 36

3.4 mi · 4 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Keep slight right at fork onto US 36

1.7 mi · 1 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike
7

Keep slight right at fork onto US 36

2.6 mi · 3 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike
8

Keep slight right at fork onto US 36

2.4 mi · 2 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike
9

Keep slight right at fork onto US 36

2.2 mi · 2 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike
10

Keep slight right at fork onto US 36

1.9 mi · 2 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike
11

Keep slight right at fork onto US 36

2.5 mi · 2 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike
12

Keep slight right at fork onto US 36

2.0 mi · 2 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Keep slight right at fork onto US 36

1.1 mi · 1 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Toward I 25: Denver, Fort Collins Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 47 sec
Toward I 25 south: Denver Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Continue on I 25

0.4 mi · 33 sec · I 25
Toward I 25 south: Denver
16

Merge onto I 25; US 87

68 mi · 1 hr 15 min · North Valley Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Continue on I 25

5.9 mi · 6 min · Monument Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 30 sec
Exit 142 Toward Bijou Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Keep slight left at fork

495 ft · 14 sec
Toward I 25: Downtown Use the straight / left lanes.
20

Turn left onto West Bijou Street

0.2 mi · 26 sec · West Bijou Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
21

Continue on West Kiowa Street

0.2 mi · 35 sec · West Kiowa Street
22

Continue on East Kiowa Street

0.3 mi · 1 min · East Kiowa Street
23

Turn right onto North Weber Street

490 ft · 17 sec · North Weber Street
24

Turn right onto East Pikes Peak Avenue

422 ft · 14 sec · East Pikes Peak Avenue
25

Arrive at destination

East Pikes Peak 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 48.6 miles from Boulder, CO, or about 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 68.1 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 48.6 miles or 57m 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 31m

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 Boulder, 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 Boulder, CO

This is one driving day of about 97.2 miles and 1h 53m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Boulder, 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 68.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 48.6 mi from Boulder, CO · 57m into the drive

Downtown Greenwood Village, CO, CO

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Greenwood Village, CO

49 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.

Popular next leg

Greenwood Village, CO to Colorado Springs, CO

61.4 mi · 1h 11m

Pacing Suggestions

Castle Rock, CO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Centennial, CO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 48.6 miles from Boulder, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before North Valley Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 68.1 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument

Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument

National Monument

Beneath a grassy mountain valley in central Colorado lies one of the richest and most diverse fossil deposits in the world. Petrified redwood stumps up to 14 feet wide and thousands of detailed fossil...

24 mi from route ~60 min detour $10 near mile 93.8
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$14.73 one way

$29.46 round trip

$3.85/gal 25.4 MPG avg 34 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.08 $15.63 $31.26
premium $4.43 $16.96 $33.93
diesel $5.64 $21.59 $43.19

Estimated Tolls: $1.38

Denver–Boulder Turnpike (19.7 mi) $1.38

Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$15

Tolls

$1

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$41–$66

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 34 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

EV Charging Along Route

10 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Twenty Ninth Street - Tesla Supercharger

Boulder, CO

Tesla

10 DCFC

Gloss Auto Wash & Detail - Tesla Supercharger

Boulder, CO

Tesla

8 DCFC

Macerich Twenty Ninth Street Mall (Boulder, CO)

Boulder, CO

Electrify America

4 DCFC

Niwot- Cottonwood Square Shopping Center

Niwot, CO

EVGATEWAY

4 DCFC

Whole Foods Boulder (Pearl) A1

Boulder, CO

eVgo Network

2 DCFC

CSG EV BOULDER PL3

Boulder, CO

ChargePoint Network

1 DCFC

CSG EV BOULDER PL1

Boulder, CO

ChargePoint Network

1 DCFC

CSG EV BOULDER PL2

Boulder, CO

ChargePoint Network

1 DCFC

ChargePoint Network: 4 Tesla: 2 Electrify America: 1 eVgo Network: 1 Non-Networked: 1 EVGATEWAY: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 29.2 0 $10.21 $4.67
Efficient EV 24.3 0 $8.50 $3.89
EV Truck/SUV 38.9 0 $13.61 $6.22

Gas CO2

34 kg

EV CO2

11 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.

Forecast data refreshed 52 minutes ago

Origin

Boulder, CO

Afternoon in Boulder on Monday

Local time

2:38 PM

MDT

Current temp

70°F

Mostly Sunny

WSW 9 to 14 mph 10% chance Live forecast

Destination

Colorado Springs, CO

Afternoon in Colorado Springs on Monday

Local time

2:38 PM

MDT

Current temp

73°F

Mostly Sunny

SSW 15 to 20 mph 4% chance 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

3 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

1h 53m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Boulder, CO to Colorado Springs, CO covers 97.2 miles and takes about 1h 53m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are North Valley Highway, Denver–Boulder Turnpike, Monument Valley Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 48.6 miles from Boulder, CO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $14.73 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 19 significant decision points across 97.2 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: near the start (Arapahoe Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 18 miles (US 36 / Denver–Boulder Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 20 miles (US 36 / Denver–Boulder Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Boulder, CO to Colorado Springs, CO, road signs begin pointing toward Fort Collins along the way.

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Return Trip

Colorado Springs, CO to Boulder, CO

Plan the drive back the other way.

97.1 mi 1h 53m

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