Origin
Centennial, CO
Morning in Centennial on Saturday
Local time
9:09 AM
MDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Centennial, CO to Las Animas, CO
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 56m
Distance
180.2 mi
290 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 43m
★
6 AM
3h 56m
8 AM
4h 22m
10 AM
4h 5m
12 PM
4h 2m
3 PM
4h 6m
5 PM
4h 21m
8 PM
3h 48m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Centennial, CO
Wikimedia Commons
Las Animas, CO
RDNE Stock project
Trip Overview
The drive from Centennial, CO to Las Animas, CO covers 180.2 miles and takes about 3h 56m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on South Valley Highway, East Cranston Avenue, Ronald Reagan Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 47.6 miles on South Valley Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $27.15 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
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
90.1 miles from Centennial, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 35m into the drive .
About the Cities
Starting in Centennial, CO
Full guide →Centennial is a suburban city of about 106,000 in the Denver Metropolitan Area of the western U.S. state of Colorado. The city lies in Arapahoe County southeast of Denver.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 56m. Total distance: 180.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 3h 56m drive with frequent turns across 180.2 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 27 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
South Valley Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 47.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 18 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 57.4 miles in near I 25 / Ronald Reagan Highway.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 180.2 miles you will encounter 18 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: at 57.4 miles (I 25 / Ronald Reagan Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 94.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 101.8 miles (Paul Harvey Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
57.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 2m in
|
I 25 / Ronald Reagan Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 25 / Ronald Reagan Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
94.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 40m in
Take the exit toward US 50 West, CO 47 East: Cañon City
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 101
Toward US 50 West, CO 47 East: Cañon City
6
101.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 51m in
|
Paul Harvey Boulevard
Turn right onto Paul Harvey Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
102.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 52m in
Take the ramp
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
132.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 35m in
|
US 50 / East Cranston Avenue
Turn left onto US 50 / East Cranston Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South Valley Highway | 47.6 mi | 49m |
| East Cranston Avenue | 27.9 mi | 46m |
| Ronald Reagan Highway | 22.9 mi | 23m |
| CO 96 | 20.7 mi | 27m |
| West 1st Street | 19.8 mi | 33m |
| John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway | 12.9 mi | 12m |
| Monument Valley Freeway | 8.8 mi | 10m |
| US 50 | 7.6 mi | 12m |
Longest stretch:
South Valley Highway
— 47.6 mi, about 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Centennial, CO and Las Animas, CO.
1
Start on this road
495 ft
·
41 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left
118 ft
·
10 sec
3
Turn right onto East Panorama Circle
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
East Panorama Circle
4
Turn right onto South Chester Street
384 ft
·
14 sec
·
South Chester Street
5
Turn right onto CR 46
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
East Dry Creek Road
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
Toward I 25 South
7
Merge onto I 25
48 mi
·
49 min
·
South Valley Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 25
8.8 mi
·
10 min
·
Monument Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 25; US 24
0.2 mi
·
12 sec
·
Ronald Reagan Highway
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 25
23 mi
·
23 min
·
Ronald Reagan Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 25
13 mi
·
12 min
·
John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 25
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
North Freeway
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
Exit 101
Toward US 50 West, CO 47 East: Cañon City
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto CO 47
3.7 mi
·
4 min
·
César Chávez Memorial Highway
Use the straight / sharp right lanes.
15
Take the exit
231 ft
·
6 sec
Use the left lane.
16
Continue on Pete Jimenez Parkway
515 ft
·
14 sec
·
Pete Jimenez Parkway
Use the left lane.
17
Continue on William White Boulevard
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
William White Boulevard
18
Turn right onto Paul Harvey Boulevard
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Paul Harvey Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
19
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Use the left lane.
20
Merge onto US 50; CO 96
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
US 50; CO 96
Use the straight lane.
21
Continue on US 50; CO 96
6.6 mi
·
10 min
·
US 50; CO 96
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Turn left onto CO 96
21 mi
·
27 min
·
CO 96
Use the left lane.
23
Turn right onto CO 167; CR 3
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
CO 167; CR 3
24
Turn left onto US 50
28 mi
·
46 min
·
East Cranston Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
25
Continue on US 50
20 mi
·
33 min
·
West 1st Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
26
Turn left onto Elm Avenue
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
·
Elm Avenue
27
Arrive at destination
Elm 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 90.1 miles from Centennial, CO, or about 1h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 47.6 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 40 miles or 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 90.1 miles or 1h 35m 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 1m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Las Animas, CO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Centennial, 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 Centennial, CO
This is one driving day of about 180.2 miles and 3h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 miles from Centennial, 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 South Valley Highway for about 47.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 90.1 mi from Centennial, CO · 1h 35m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
90 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 40 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 90.1 miles from Centennial, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Las Animas, CO
The final approach into Las Animas, 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 Las Animas, 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
$27.15 one way
$54.30 round trip
$3.83/gal
25.4 MPG avg
63 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.05 | $28.75 | $57.49 |
| premium | $4.39 | $31.17 | $62.35 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $39.79 | $79.57 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 63 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 54.1 | 0 | $18.92 | $8.65 |
| Efficient EV | 45.1 | 0 | $15.77 | $7.21 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 72.1 | 0 | $25.23 | $11.53 |
Gas CO2
63 kg
EV CO2
21 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.
Destination
Las Animas, CO
Morning in Las Animas on Saturday
Local time
9:09 AM
MDT
Current temp
48°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
29 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
3h 56m 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 Centennial, CO to Las Animas, CO covers 180.2 miles and takes about 3h 56m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are South Valley Highway, East Cranston Avenue, Ronald Reagan Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 90.1 miles from Centennial, CO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $27.15 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 180.2 miles you will encounter 18 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: at 57.4 miles (I 25 / Ronald Reagan Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 94.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 101.8 miles (Paul Harvey Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Centennial, CO to Las Animas, CO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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