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Trip from Colorado City, CO to Centennial, CO

Data updated 1 hour ago

Drive Time

2h 16m

Distance

124.9 mi

201 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$19

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 28 min
4 AM
2h 7m ★
6 AM
2h 16m
8 AM
2h 35m
10 AM
2h 23m
12 PM
2h 21m
3 PM
2h 24m
5 PM
2h 34m
8 PM
2h 10m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Colorado City, CO, CO

Colorado City, CO

gabesdotphotos photographer

Downtown Centennial, CO, CO

Centennial, CO

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 124.9-mile drive from Colorado City to Centennial, Colorado, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 16 minutes. You'll primarily navigate the Ronald Reagan Highway, John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway, and South Freeway, with about 17% of the journey on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $19, making it an economical option. Given its relatively short duration and the fact that both locations are within the Mountain West region, this trip is well-suited for a day excursion without the need for an overnight stay. It offers a straightforward path between these two Colorado communities.

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

62.5 miles from Colorado City, CO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 8m into the drive .

Loading map...

Drive Character

Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' for much of this 124.9-mile journey. While 17% of the route utilizes highways, the majority involves navigating local roads and making frequent turns. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 70.7 miles on the Ronald Reagan Highway, offering a period of more consistent travel before transitioning back to more complex local routes. This driving profile suggests a need for attention to navigation as you move between different road types and through various community areas. The character of the drive will likely shift from more open highway to more intricate urban and suburban road networks.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Ronald Reagan Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 70.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Bent Brothers Boulevard.

Route Complexity 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

This is a straightforward 2h 16m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (Bent Brothers Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 123.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 124.5 miles (South Chester Street): Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 10 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | Bent Brothers Boulevard

At end of road, turn left onto Bent Brothers Boulevard

Navigation decision point

7
123.9 mi into trip | ~2h 13m in

Take the exit toward Dry Creek Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 196 Toward Dry Creek Road
5
124.5 mi into trip | ~2h 14m in | South Chester Street

Turn left onto South Chester Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
5
124.7 mi into trip | ~2h 14m in | East Panorama Circle

Turn left onto East Panorama Circle

Navigation decision point

5
124.8 mi into trip | ~2h 15m in

Turn left

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Ronald Reagan Highway 70.7 mi 1h 13m
John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway 31.3 mi 31m
South Freeway 10.4 mi 13m
Monument Valley Freeway 8.5 mi 9m
CO 165 2.6 mi 4m
East Dry Creek Road 0.3 mi <1m
East Panorama Circle 0.1 mi <1m
South Chester Street 0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Ronald Reagan Highway — 70.7 mi, about 1h 13m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Colorado City, CO and Centennial, CO.

1

Start on this road

166 ft · 17 sec · this road
2

At end of road, turn left onto Bent Brothers Boulevard

169 ft · 13 sec · Bent Brothers Boulevard
3

Turn left onto CO 165

2.6 mi · 4 min · CO 165
4

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 36 sec
Toward I 25 North: Pueblo
5

Merge onto I 25

18 mi · 18 min · John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
6

Continue on I 25

10 mi · 13 min · South Freeway
Use the straight lane.
7

Continue on I 25

13 mi · 12 min · John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Continue on I 25

23 mi · 23 min · Ronald Reagan Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Continue on I 25; US 24

8.5 mi · 9 min · Monument Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Continue on I 25

48 mi · 49 min · Ronald Reagan Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 35 sec
Exit 196 Toward Dry Creek Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Turn left onto CR 46

0.3 mi · 35 sec · East Dry Creek Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
13

Turn left onto South Chester Street

0.1 mi · 30 sec · South Chester Street
Use the left lane.
14

Turn left onto East Panorama Circle

0.1 mi · 39 sec · East Panorama Circle
15

Turn left

133 ft · 11 sec
16

Turn right

472 ft · 34 sec
17

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

For this 2-hour and 16-minute drive, leaving in the morning or mid-afternoon can help you avoid the busiest local traffic. With no specific stops recommended, you have flexibility to add breaks as needed, perhaps for a quick stretch or to grab a snack. The estimated fuel cost of $19 is quite low, so you shouldn't need to worry about frequent refueling. Keep an eye on your navigation, especially as you transition from the Ronald Reagan Highway onto the John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway and South Freeway, to ensure you're on the correct local roads. Since it's a single-day trip, you can depart and arrive on the same day, making it a convenient option.

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 62.5 miles from Colorado City, CO, or about 1h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 70.7 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 80 miles or 1h 27m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 62.5 miles or 1h 8m 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 50m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Centennial, CO than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Colorado City, 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 Colorado City, CO

This is one driving day of about 124.9 miles and 2h 16m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Colorado City, 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 Ronald Reagan Highway for about 70.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 62.5 mi from Colorado City, CO · 1h 8m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Colorado Springs, CO

62 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

Colorado Springs, CO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Fort Carson, CO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 62.5 miles from Colorado City, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Ronald Reagan Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 70.7 miles.

Arriving in Centennial, CO

The final approach into Centennial, 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 Centennial, 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

$18.82 one way

$37.64 round trip

$3.83/gal 25.4 MPG avg 44 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.05 $19.92 $39.85
premium $4.39 $21.61 $43.21
diesel $5.61 $27.58 $55.15

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$19

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$44–$69

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 43.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 37.5 0 $13.11 $6.00
Efficient EV 31.2 0 $10.93 $5.00
EV Truck/SUV 50 0 $17.49 $7.99

Gas CO2

44 kg

EV CO2

15 kg (66% 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 data refreshed 4 days ago

Origin

Colorado City, CO

Night in Colorado City on Tuesday

Local time

9:04 PM

MDT

Current temp

71°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Centennial, CO

Night in Centennial on Tuesday

Local time

9:04 PM

MDT

Current temp

40°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

2h 16m 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 Colorado City, CO to Centennial, CO covers 124.9 miles and takes about 2h 16m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Ronald Reagan Highway, John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway, South Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 62.5 miles from Colorado City, CO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $18.82 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 straightforward 2h 16m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Bent Brothers Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 123.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 124.5 miles (South Chester Street): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Colorado City, CO to Centennial, CO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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