Drive Time
53m
Distance
43.2 mi
70 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
The drive from Castle Rock, CO to Manitou Springs, CO covers 43.2 miles and takes about 53m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on 3rd Street, North Wilcox Street, South Wilcox Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $6.55 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
21.6 miles from Castle Rock, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 26m into the drive .
Expect a 53m drive with frequent turns across 43.2 miles of local and secondary roads.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Castle Rock, CO to Manitou Springs, CO is easy. At 53m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Castle Rock, CO to Manitou Springs, CO is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 3rd Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North Wilcox Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South Wilcox Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| West Plum Creek Parkway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Frontage Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 25 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Monument Valley Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Fillmore Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Castle Rock, CO and Manitou Springs, CO.
Start on North Cantril Street
Turn left onto 3rd Street
Exit the roundabout onto 3rd Street
Turn left onto North Wilcox Street
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward South Wilcox Street
Exit the roundabout onto South Wilcox Street
Turn right onto West Plum Creek Parkway
Turn left onto Frontage Road
Take the ramp left toward I 25 South
Merge slight left
Continue on Monument Valley Freeway
Take the exit slight right toward Fillmore Street
Keep slight right to continue on Fillmore Street West
Continue on West Fillmore Street
Continue on Fontmore Road
Continue on West Fontanero Street
Turn left onto North 31st Street
Turn sharp right onto West Cimarron Street
Continue on Midland Expressway
Turn left onto Sunshine Trail
Turn right onto Washington Avenue
Turn right onto Cañon Avenue
Turn right
Arrive at your destination
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.
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 43.2 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 21.6 miles or 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 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Manitou Springs, CO than in the middle of the route.
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 43.2 miles and 53m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 21.6 mi from Castle Rock, CO · 26m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
22 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.
A short stop after about 43.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 21.6 miles from Castle Rock, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Regular Gas
$6.55 one way
$13.09 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.08 | $6.95 | $13.89 |
| premium | $4.43 | $7.54 | $15.08 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $9.60 | $19.20 |
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: 15.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 13 | 0 | $4.54 | $2.07 |
| Efficient EV | 10.8 | 0 | $3.78 | $1.73 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 17.3 | 0 | $6.05 | $2.76 |
Gas CO2
15 kg
EV CO2
5 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Afternoon in Castle Rock on Saturday
Local time
2:36 PM
MDT
Current temp
38°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Afternoon in Manitou Springs on Saturday
Local time
2:36 PM
MDT
Current temp
34°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
62°F
Colorado Springs, CO
22 mi in
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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