Broomfield to Colorado Springs is 86 miles and takes about 1 hour 40 minutes via North Valley Highway, Denver–Boulder Turnpike, and Monument Valley Freeway, with a fuel budget near $13 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Mountain West region, specifically within Colorado. Expect a route that involves a fair amount of turning, making it more of a local drive than a straight shot. It’s a manageable distance for a single day trip, perfect for a quick getaway or an easy transit between these two Colorado cities. Consider this a straightforward journey with minimal time commitment.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
43 miles from Broomfield, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 50m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 40m. Total distance: 86 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
This route is characterized as a 'Turn-heavy local drive,' meaning you’ll encounter more intersections and directional changes than a typical interstate cruise. While 18% of the drive utilizes highways, the majority involves navigating through local roads and turnpikes. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll experience is 68.1 miles on the North Valley Highway, offering a period of consistent travel before transitioning to other segments. Be prepared for a driving experience that requires attention to navigation as you switch between different road types and follow various main roads like the Denver–Boulder Turnpike and Monument Valley Freeway.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 24 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 West 3rd Avenue.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 86 miles you will encounter 17 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (West 3rd Avenue): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 8.9 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 17 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|West 3rd Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto West 3rd Avenue
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
7
1 mi into trip|~2m in
Turn left toward US 36 East: Denver
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward US 36 East: Denver
8
8.9 mi into trip|~12m 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
84.9 mi into trip|~1h 37m 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
85.1 mi into trip|~1h 37m 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 Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Broomfield, CO to Colorado Springs, CO, road signs begin pointing toward Fort Collins along the way.
Fort Collins
8.9 mi in|~12m|via US 36
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
North Valley Highway
68.1 mi
1h 15m
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
8.7 mi
10m
Monument Valley Freeway
5.9 mi
6m
CO 121
0.4 mi
1m
I 25
0.4 mi
<1m
East Kiowa Street
0.3 mi
1m
West Kiowa Street
0.2 mi
<1m
West Bijou 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 Broomfield, CO and Colorado Springs, CO.
1
Start on this road
192 ft·16 sec·this road
2
At end of road, turn right onto West 3rd Avenue
273 ft·19 sec·West 3rd Avenue
3
Turn left onto Nickel Street
0.2 mi·26 sec·Nickel Street
4
Turn right onto US 287
140 ft·3 sec·US 287
5
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·45 sec
Toward CO 121 South
6
Turn straight onto CO 121
0.4 mi·1 min·CO 121
7
Turn left
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward US 36 East: DenverUse the left lane.
8
Merge onto US 36
1.2 mi·1 min·Denver–Boulder Turnpike
9
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
1.9 mi·2 min·Denver–Boulder Turnpike
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
2.5 mi·2 min·Denver–Boulder Turnpike
11
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
2.0 mi·2 min·Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
1.1 mi·1 min·Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Toward I 25: Denver, Fort CollinsUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.5 mi·47 sec
Toward I 25 south: DenverUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 25
0.4 mi·33 sec·I 25
Toward I 25 south: Denver
15
Merge onto I 25; US 87
68 mi·1 hr 15 min·North Valley Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on I 25
5.9 mi·6 min·Monument Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 142Toward Bijou StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork
495 ft·14 sec
Toward I 25: DowntownUse the straight / left lanes.
19
Turn left onto West Bijou Street
0.2 mi·26 sec·West Bijou Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
20
Continue on West Kiowa Street
0.2 mi·35 sec·West Kiowa Street
21
Continue on East Kiowa Street
0.3 mi·1 min·East Kiowa Street
22
Turn right onto North Weber Street
490 ft·17 sec·North Weber Street
23
Turn right onto East Pikes Peak Avenue
422 ft·14 sec·East Pikes Peak Avenue
24
Arrive at destination
East Pikes Peak Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short 1 hour and 40-minute duration, you have a lot of flexibility with when to depart. Leaving in the morning allows you to arrive with plenty of daylight, and since it’s a single-day trip, you don't need to worry about overnight stays. For this route, keep an eye on your fuel. While the estimated cost is only $13, it's always wise to start with a full tank, especially since the longest stretch without significant breaks is over 68 miles. Pay close attention to your GPS as you navigate the various turns and road changes that define this drive.
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 miles from Broomfield, CO, or about 50m 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 19 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 43 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 24m
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 Broomfield, CO so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Broomfield, CO
This is one driving day of about 86 miles and 1h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Broomfield, CO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
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 43 mi from Broomfield, CO
· 50m into the drive
The midpoint is around 43 miles from Broomfield, 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Nearby Places
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Top Restaurant
Tikka & Grill, Nepali and Indian Food
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Denver, Colorado
Early in the drive, short detour
2.1 mi from route
~5 min detour
Moderately
mile 18.4
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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
~61 min detour
$10
near mile 83.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.96 one way
$25.92 round trip
$3.83/gal25.4 MPG avg30 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.05
$13.72
$27.44
premium
$4.39
$14.88
$29.75
diesel
$5.61
$18.99
$37.98
Estimated Tolls: $0.61
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
(8.7 mi)$0.61
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
$13
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
25.8
0
$9.03
$4.13
Efficient EV
21.5
0
$7.52
$3.44
EV Truck/SUV
34.4
0
$12.04
$5.50
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Broomfield, CO
Night
in Broomfield on Friday
Local time
9:03 PM
MDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Colorado Springs, CO
Night
in Colorado Springs on Friday
Local time
9:03 PM
MDT
Current temp
44°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
31 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 40m 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 Broomfield, CO to Colorado Springs, CO covers 86 miles and takes about 1h 40m 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 43 miles from Broomfield, CO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.96 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 86 miles you will encounter 17 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (West 3rd Avenue): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 8.9 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 Broomfield, CO to Colorado Springs, CO, road signs begin pointing toward Fort Collins along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
