Origin
Castle Rock, CO
Afternoon in Castle Rock on Sunday
Local time
3:56 PM
MDT
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Castle Rock, CO to Fort Carson, CO
Drive Time
59m
Distance
48.7 mi
78 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 54m
★
6 AM
0h 59m
8 AM
1h 9m
10 AM
1h 3m
12 PM
1h 2m
3 PM
1h 3m
5 PM
1h 8m
8 PM
0h 56m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Castle Rock, CO
Peter Mayer
Fort Carson, CO
Jacob Moore
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from Castle Rock to Fort Carson, you are looking at a straightforward 48.7-mile journey through the Mountain West. Expect to spend about 59 minutes behind the wheel, making this a very manageable day trip that does not require an overnight stay. Your primary path takes you along I-25, the Monument Valley Freeway, and South Nevada Avenue. With a fuel cost of roughly $7, it is an economical route for a quick commute or visit. Since the drive is focused on efficiency, it is best suited for those who want to get from point A to point B without unnecessary detours.
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
24.4 miles from Castle Rock, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 27m into the drive .
Drive Character
This highway-focused drive is dominated by high-speed transit, with 83% of the journey spent on major roads. You will settle into a rhythm quickly, as your longest uninterrupted stretch covers 32.4 miles on I-25. The route balances the open feel of the interstate with the transition into the local infrastructure of the Monument Valley Freeway and South Nevada Avenue. Do not expect technical winding roads here; instead, anticipate a consistent, steady pace that moves you efficiently through the region. It is a functional, no-nonsense drive that prioritizes speed over meandering backroads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 25 is the longest continuous segment at about 32.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 25 and Monument Valley Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near 3rd Street.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 48.7 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 0.1 miles (3rd Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 0.2 miles (North Wilcox Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.4 miles (South Wilcox Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
3rd Street
Enter roundabout onto 3rd Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
7
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
North Wilcox Street
Turn left onto North Wilcox Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
0.4 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
South Wilcox Street
Enter roundabout onto South Wilcox Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
0.7 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
West Plum Creek Parkway
Turn right onto West Plum Creek Parkway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
41.5 mi into trip
|
~46m in
Take the exit toward CO 115 South: Tejon Street, Nevada Avenue
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.
Exit 140
Toward CO 115 South: Tejon Street, Nevada Avenu...
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 25 | 32.4 mi | 33m |
| Monument Valley Freeway | 7.8 mi | 9m |
| South Nevada Avenue | 5.4 mi | 8m |
| Nelson Boulevard | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| Wetzel Avenue | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| South Wilcox Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| North Wilcox Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| 3rd Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 25
— 32.4 mi, about 33m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Castle Rock, CO and Fort Carson, CO.
1
Start on North Cantril Street
90 ft
·
8 sec
·
North Cantril Street
2
Turn left onto 3rd Street
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
3rd Street
3
Continue on 3rd Street
442 ft
·
20 sec
·
3rd Street
4
Turn left onto North Wilcox Street
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
·
North Wilcox Street
Use the left lane.
5
Enter roundabout onto South Wilcox Street
40 ft
·
0 sec
·
South Wilcox Street
6
Continue on South Wilcox Street
0.3 mi
·
52 sec
·
South Wilcox Street
7
Turn right onto West Plum Creek Parkway
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
West Plum Creek Parkway
Use the straight lane.
8
Turn left onto Frontage Road
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
Frontage Road
Use the left lane.
9
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward I 25 South
10
Merge onto I 25
32 mi
·
33 min
·
I 25
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 25
7.8 mi
·
9 min
·
Monument Valley Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 140
Toward CO 115 South: Tejon Street, Nevada Avenue
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Turn right onto CO 115
5.4 mi
·
8 min
·
South Nevada Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Turn left onto Nelson Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
29 sec
·
Nelson Boulevard
Use the left lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto Nelson Boulevard
102 ft
·
2 sec
·
Nelson Boulevard
16
Keep slight left at fork onto Nelson Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
Nelson Boulevard
17
Enter roundabout onto Nelson Boulevard
142 ft
·
3 sec
·
Nelson Boulevard
18
Continue on Nelson Boulevard
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Nelson Boulevard
19
Turn right onto Wetzel Avenue
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Wetzel Avenue
20
Turn left onto Prussman Avenue
42 ft
·
1 sec
·
Prussman Avenue
21
Arrive at destination
Prussman Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a short, sub-one-hour trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You will not need to plan for any stops along the way, as the 48.7-mile distance is easily handled in one go. Keep an eye on traffic patterns as you transition from the interstate onto the Monument Valley Freeway, as highway flow can change as you approach your destination. Budgeting $7 for fuel should cover your needs, but keeping a little extra set aside is always a wise move for any road trip. Use the simplicity of this route to your advantage by focusing on your timing to avoid the heaviest regional traffic hours.
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 24.4 miles from Castle Rock, CO, or about 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 32.4 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 48.7 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 24.4 miles or 27m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 46m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fort Carson, CO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Castle Rock, 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 Castle Rock, CO
This is one driving day of about 48.7 miles and 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Castle Rock, 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 I 25 for about 32.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 24.4 mi from Castle Rock, CO · 27m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
24 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 48.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 24.4 miles from Castle Rock, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Fort Carson, CO
The final approach into Fort Carson, 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 Fort Carson, 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
$7.38 one way
$14.76 round trip
$3.85/gal
25.4 MPG avg
17 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.08 | $7.83 | $15.66 |
| premium | $4.43 | $8.50 | $17.00 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $10.82 | $21.64 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$7
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$32–$57
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 17 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 14.6 | 0 | $5.11 | $2.34 |
| Efficient EV | 12.2 | 0 | $4.26 | $1.95 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 19.5 | 0 | $6.82 | $3.12 |
Gas CO2
17 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (65% 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
Fort Carson, CO
Afternoon in Fort Carson on Sunday
Local time
3:56 PM
MDT
Current temp
64°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
26 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
59m 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 Castle Rock, CO to Fort Carson, CO covers 48.7 miles and takes about 59m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 25, Monument Valley Freeway, South Nevada Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 24.4 miles from Castle Rock, CO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $7.38 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 48.7 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 0.1 miles (3rd Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 0.2 miles (North Wilcox Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.4 miles (South Wilcox Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
The route from Castle Rock, CO to Fort Carson, CO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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