Trip from Del Norte, CO to Colorado Springs, CO

Drive Time

3h 57m

Distance

194.9 mi

314 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$30

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min

4 AM

3h 45m ★

6 AM

3h 58m

8 AM

4h 23m

10 AM

4h 7m

12 PM

4h 4m

3 PM

4h 8m

5 PM

4h 22m

8 PM

3h 50m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Trip Overview

Traveling from Del Norte to Colorado Springs covers 194.9 miles across the Mountain West, a journey that typically takes about 3 hours and 57 minutes of driving time. Because this is a manageable distance, you can easily complete the entire route in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $30 on fuel to bridge the gap between these two Colorado locations. The trip relies on a combination of local routes like Santa Fe Avenue and Grand Avenue, alongside stretches of I-25 Business. Whether you are heading to the city for business or recreation, this drive offers a straightforward transit across the region that fits well into a busy schedule.

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

97.4 miles from Del Norte, CO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 10m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a mixed driving experience that transitions between different road types as you make your way toward Colorado Springs. With a highway share of 52%, the route balances faster interstate travel with slower, local road segments. You will encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 86.9 miles on I-25 Business, which serves as the backbone of your journey. The road personality shifts from the quieter local streets of your origin to the more structured environment of the highway system. Prepare for a varied pace that requires you to stay alert as you navigate the transition from rural stretches to the more developed traffic patterns near your destination.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.

There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 25 Business is the longest continuous segment at about 86.9 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 103.4 miles in near I 25 Business / Main Street.

Route Complexity 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 194.9 miles you will encounter 12 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 103.4 miles (I 25 Business / Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 106.1 miles (I 25 Business): Lane positioning matters here; at 193 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 12 key points

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

103.4 mi into trip | ~2h 17m in | I 25 Business / Main Street

Turn left onto I 25 Business / Main Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

106.1 mi into trip | ~2h 22m in | I 25 Business

Take the ramp onto I 25 Business toward I 25 North: Pueblo

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes. Toward I 25 North: Pueblo

193 mi into trip | ~3h 52m in

Take the exit toward CO 115 South: Nevada Avenue, Tejon Street

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: Nevada Avenue, Tejon Stree...

193.3 mi into trip | ~3h 53m in

Keep slight right at fork toward Nevada Avenue North, Downtown

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / right lanes. Toward Nevada Avenue North, Downtown

194.2 mi into trip | ~3h 55m in | East Cimarron Street

Turn right onto East Cimarron Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 25 Business	86.9 mi	1h 30m
Santa Fe Avenue	71.4 mi	1h 27m
Grand Avenue	16.8 mi	28m
West U.S. Highway 160	12.6 mi	14m
US Highway 85/87	1.6 mi	2m
1st Avenue	0.8 mi	2m
South Nevada Avenue	0.8 mi	1m
Walsen Avenue	0.7 mi	1m

Longest stretch: I 25 Business — 86.9 mi, about 1h 30m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Del Norte, CO and Colorado Springs, CO.

Start on US 160

0.5 mi · 1 min · Grand Avenue

Use the none lane.

Continue on US 160

13 mi · 14 min · West U.S. Highway 160

Continue on US 160

0.8 mi · 2 min · 1st Avenue

Continue on US 160; US 285

0.3 mi · 45 sec · Park Avenue

Continue on US 160; US 285

16 mi · 27 min · Grand Avenue

Use the straight lane.

Continue on US 160; US 285

0.3 mi · 42 sec · Sixth Street

Use the straight / right lanes.

Turn left onto US 285

0.2 mi · 30 sec · West Avenue

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto Fourth Street

0.7 mi · 1 min · Fourth Street

At end of road, turn left onto US 160; CO 17

521 ft · 17 sec · Denver Avenue

Continue on US 160; CO 17

0.3 mi · 41 sec · Broadway Avenue

Continue on US 160

71 mi · 1 hr 27 min · Santa Fe Avenue

Use the straight lane.

Turn left onto I 25 Business

0.4 mi · 43 sec · Main Street

Use the left lane.

Continue on I 25 Business

210 ft · 3 sec · Main Street

Continue on I 25 Business

0.7 mi · 1 min · Walsen Avenue

Use the none lane.

Continue on I 25 Business

1.6 mi · 2 min · US Highway 85/87

Use the none lane.

Take the ramp onto I 25 Business

87 mi · 1 hr 30 min · I 25 Business

Toward I 25 North: Pueblo Use the straight / right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 42 sec

Exit 140 Toward CO 115 South: Nevada Avenue, Tejon Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

406 ft · 13 sec

Toward Nevada Avenue North, Downtown Use the straight / right lanes.

Turn right onto South Nevada Avenue

0.8 mi · 1 min · South Nevada Avenue

Use the straight / right lanes.

Turn right onto East Cimarron Street

489 ft · 21 sec · East Cimarron Street

Use the right lane.

Turn left onto South Weber Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · South Weber Street

Turn left onto East Pikes Peak Avenue

422 ft · 14 sec · East Pikes Peak Avenue

Arrive at destination

East Pikes Peak Avenue

Trip Plan

Since this is a roughly four-hour drive, try to depart in the morning to ensure you reach Colorado Springs with plenty of daylight to spare. You should plan for at least one dedicated stop along the way to stretch your legs and break up the 194.9-mile journey. Keep your $30 fuel budget in mind, as local prices can fluctuate significantly between the smaller towns and the larger urban areas. Because the route is relatively short, you have the flexibility to adjust your itinerary based on traffic flow or personal preference. Pay close attention to your speed when transitioning off the 86.9-mile stretch of I-25 Business, as speed limits frequently change as you move back into local road zones.

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 97.4 miles from Del Norte, CO, or about 2h 10m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 86.9 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 49m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 97.4 miles or 2h 10m 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 18m

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 Del Norte, 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 Del Norte, CO

This is one driving day of about 194.9 miles and 3h 57m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Del Norte, 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 25 Business for about 86.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 97.4 mi from Del Norte, CO · 2h 10m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Fort Carson, CO

97 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.

Popular next leg

Fort Carson, CO to Colorado Springs, CO

7.8 mi · 15m

Pacing Suggestions

Pueblo, 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 97.4 miles from Del Norte, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 25 Business if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 86.9 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.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$29.53 one way

$59.07 round trip

$3.85/gal 25.4 MPG avg 68 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.08	$31.34	$62.67
premium	$4.43	$34.02	$68.03
diesel	$5.64	$43.30	$86.60

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$30

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$55–$80

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 68.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	58.5	$20.46	$9.36
Efficient EV	48.7	$17.05	$7.80
EV Truck/SUV	78	$27.29	$12.47

Gas CO2

68 kg

EV CO2

23 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 2 days ago

Origin

Del Norte, CO

Evening in Del Norte on Sunday

Local time

5:13 PM

MDT

Current temp

62°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Colorado Springs, CO

Evening in Colorado Springs on Sunday

Local time

5:13 PM

MDT

Current temp

62°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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

3h 57m 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 Del Norte, CO to Colorado Springs, CO covers 194.9 miles and takes about 3h 57m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 25 Business, Santa Fe Avenue, Grand Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 97.4 miles from Del Norte, CO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $29.53 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.

The route from Del Norte, CO to Colorado Springs, CO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Colorado Springs, CO to Del Norte, CO

Plan the drive back the other way.

194.6 mi 3h 56m

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