Origin
Carbondale, CO
Afternoon in Carbondale on Thursday
Local time
1:26 PM
MDT
Current temp
34°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Carbondale, CO to Colorado Springs, CO
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
4h 41m
Distance
236.6 mi
381 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$36
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 28m
★
6 AM
4h 42m
8 AM
5h 8m
10 AM
4h 51m
12 PM
4h 48m
3 PM
4h 52m
5 PM
5h 7m
8 PM
4h 34m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Carbondale, CO
Jacob Moore
Trip Overview
The drive from Carbondale, CO to Colorado Springs, CO covers 236.6 miles and takes about 4h 41m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 70, North Valley Highway, CO 82 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 145.3 miles on I 70. At current regular gas prices, budget about $35.65 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
118.3 miles from Carbondale, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 26m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 41m. Total distance: 236.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (72%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 4h 41m highway drive covering 236.6 miles, with most of the trip on I 70 and North Valley Highway. The longest continuous stretch is about 145.3 miles on I 70.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 32 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 70 is the longest continuous segment at about 145.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 70 and North Valley Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 11.6 miles in near 27th Street.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 236.6 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 11.6 miles (27th Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 159.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 167.8 miles (US 6): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 20 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
11.6 mi into trip
|
~20m in
|
27th Street
Enter roundabout onto 27th Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
8
159.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 13m in
Take the exit toward US 6 East: 6th Avenue, Lakewood
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 261
Toward US 6 East: 6th Avenue, Lakewood
7
167.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 24m in
|
US 6
Take the exit onto US 6 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 straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 25: Fort Collins, Colorado Springs
7
235.5 mi into trip
|
~4h 38m 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
235.7 mi into trip
|
~4h 38m 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 Carbondale, CO to Colorado Springs, CO, road signs begin pointing toward Lakewood along the way.
Lakewood
159.6 mi in
|
~3h 13m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 70 | 145.3 mi | 2h 48m |
| North Valley Highway | 60.6 mi | 1h 5m |
| CO 82 | 9.9 mi | 16m |
| West 6th Avenue Freeway | 7.9 mi | 9m |
| Monument Valley Freeway | 5.9 mi | 6m |
| Midland Avenue | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| CO 133 | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| US 6 | 0.6 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 70
— 145.3 mi, about 2h 48m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carbondale, CO and Colorado Springs, CO.
1
Start on Merrill Avenue
32 ft
·
1 sec
·
Merrill Avenue
2
Continue on North 4th Street
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
·
North 4th Street
3
Turn right onto Main Street
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
·
Main Street
4
Enter roundabout
17 ft
·
0 sec
5
Continue
463 ft
·
9 sec
6
Continue on CO 133
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
CO 133
7
Continue on CO 133
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
CO 133
8
Turn left onto CO 82
9.9 mi
·
16 min
·
CO 82
Use the straight lane.
9
Turn left onto 27th Street
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
27th Street
Use the left lane.
10
Enter roundabout onto 27th Street
86 ft
·
1 sec
·
27th Street
11
Continue on 27th Street
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
·
27th Street
12
Enter roundabout onto Midland Avenue
13 ft
·
0 sec
·
Midland Avenue
13
Continue on Midland Avenue
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Midland Avenue
14
Turn right onto West 8th Street
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
·
West 8th Street
15
Turn left onto CO 82
0.2 mi
·
41 sec
·
Grand Avenue
16
Continue on CO 82
0.1 mi
·
38 sec
·
Laurel Street
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
18
Merge onto I 70
145 mi
·
2 hr 48 min
·
I 70
Use the straight lane.
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Exit 261
Toward US 6 East: 6th Avenue, Lakewood
Use the slight right lane.
20
Merge onto US 6
7.9 mi
·
9 min
·
West 6th Avenue Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit onto US 6
0.6 mi
·
59 sec
·
US 6
Toward I 25: Fort Collins, Colorado Springs
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 25 South: Colorado Springs
23
Merge onto I 25
61 mi
·
1 hr 5 min
·
North Valley Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Continue on I 25
5.9 mi
·
6 min
·
Monument Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 142
Toward Bijou Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight left at fork
495 ft
·
14 sec
Toward I 25: Downtown
Use the straight / left lanes.
27
Turn left onto West Bijou Street
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
West Bijou Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
28
Continue on West Kiowa Street
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
West Kiowa Street
29
Continue on East Kiowa Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
East Kiowa Street
30
Turn right onto North Weber Street
490 ft
·
17 sec
·
North Weber Street
31
Turn right onto East Pikes Peak Avenue
422 ft
·
14 sec
·
East Pikes Peak Avenue
32
Arrive at destination
East Pikes Peak Avenue
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 118.3 miles from Carbondale, CO, or about 2h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 145.3 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 52 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 118.3 miles or 2h 26m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 53m
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 Carbondale, 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 Carbondale, CO
This is one driving day of about 236.6 miles and 4h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Carbondale, CO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 70 for about 145.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 118.3 mi from Carbondale, CO · 2h 26m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
118 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 52 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 118.3 miles from Carbondale, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 70 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 145.3 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.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.65 one way
$71.30 round trip
$3.83/gal
25.4 MPG avg
83 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.05 | $37.74 | $75.49 |
| premium | $4.39 | $40.93 | $81.86 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $52.24 | $104.48 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 82.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 71 | 0 | $24.84 | $11.36 |
| Efficient EV | 59.2 | 0 | $20.70 | $9.46 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 94.6 | 1 | $33.12 | $15.14 |
Gas CO2
83 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Colorado Springs, CO
Afternoon in Colorado Springs on Thursday
Local time
1:26 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
10 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
4h 41m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Carbondale, CO to Colorado Springs, CO covers 236.6 miles and takes about 4h 41m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 70, North Valley Highway, CO 82. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 118.3 miles from Carbondale, CO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $35.65 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 236.6 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 11.6 miles (27th Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 159.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 167.8 miles (US 6): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Carbondale, CO to Colorado Springs, CO, road signs begin pointing toward Lakewood along the way.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Colorado Springs, CO
More from Carbondale, CO
More trips to Colorado Springs, CO
Explore more options from Carbondale, CO or browse trips ending in Colorado Springs, CO.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse CO road trips.
Explore maps for Carbondale, CO or Colorado Springs, CO on MapSof.net.