Denver to Las Animas is 193.4 miles and takes about 4h 14m via South Valley Highway, with a fuel budget near $29 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Colorado, moving from the Mountain West region to another part of the Mountain West. Expect a route with frequent turns and a relatively low highway percentage, making it more of a local road experience than a high-speed transit. It’s a manageable distance for a single day, perfect if you prefer to reach your destination without an overnight stop.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
96.7 miles from Denver, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 47m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
South Valley Highway
56.9 mi
1h
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
— 56.9 mi, about 1h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Denver, CO and Las Animas, CO.
1
Start on this road
379 ft·29 sec·this road
2
Turn right
62 ft·8 sec
3
Turn right onto I 70 Business; US 40; US 287
358 ft·14 sec·East Colfax Avenue
4
Turn right onto Grant Street
1.1 mi·2 min·Grant Street
Use the right lane.
5
Turn left onto East Speer Boulevard
451 ft·13 sec·East Speer Boulevard
Use the left lane.
6
Turn right onto Logan Street
1.8 mi·3 min·Logan Street
Use the right lane.
7
Turn left onto East Buchtel South Boulevard
0.3 mi·39 sec·East Buchtel South Boulevard
Use the left lane.
8
Continue on East Buchtel South Boulevard
0.2 mi·17 sec·East Buchtel South Boulevard
9
Take the ramp
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 25 South
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward I 25 SouthUse the straight / slight left lanes.
11
Merge onto I 25
57 mi·1 hr·South Valley Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 25
8.8 mi·10 min·Monument Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 25; US 24
0.2 mi·12 sec·Ronald Reagan Highway
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 25
23 mi·23 min·Ronald Reagan Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 25
13 mi·12 min·John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on I 25
1.8 mi·2 min·North Freeway
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
Exit 101Toward US 50 West, CO 47 East: Cañon CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Merge onto CO 47
3.7 mi·4 min·César Chávez Memorial Highway
Use the straight / sharp right lanes.
19
Take the exit
231 ft·6 sec
Use the left lane.
20
Continue on Pete Jimenez Parkway
515 ft·14 sec·Pete Jimenez Parkway
Use the left lane.
21
Continue on William White Boulevard
2.8 mi·4 min·William White Boulevard
22
Turn right onto Paul Harvey Boulevard
0.4 mi·1 min·Paul Harvey Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
23
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
Use the left lane.
24
Merge onto US 50; CO 96
1.0 mi·1 min·US 50; CO 96
Use the straight lane.
25
Continue on US 50; CO 96
6.6 mi·10 min·US 50; CO 96
Use the straight / right lanes.
26
Turn left onto CO 96
21 mi·27 min·CO 96
Use the left lane.
27
Turn right onto CO 167; CR 3
1.7 mi·3 min·CO 167; CR 3
28
Turn left onto US 50
28 mi·46 min·East Cranston Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
29
Continue on US 50
20 mi·33 min·West 1st Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
30
Turn left onto Elm Avenue
0.1 mi·27 sec·Elm Avenue
31
Arrive at destination
Elm Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 14m duration and the 'turn-heavy' nature of the route, leaving Denver in the morning is ideal to maximize daylight for navigation. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short distance, you have flexibility. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially as you move away from major highways; planning your fuel stop around the 56.9-mile stretch on South Valley Highway could be a good strategy. This trip is well-suited for a single-day adventure, allowing you to arrive in Las Animas with time to spare.
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 96.7 miles from Denver, CO, or about 1h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 56.9 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 43 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 96.7 miles or 1h 47m 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 15m
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 Denver, 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 Denver, CO
This is one driving day of about 193.4 miles and 4h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 miles from Denver, 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 56.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 114.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|Grant Street
Turn right onto Grant Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
4.5 mi into trip|~9m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 25 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 25 South
6
70.5 mi into trip|~1h 20m 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
108 mi into trip|~1h 59m 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
114.9 mi into trip|~2h 9m in|Paul Harvey Boulevard
Turn right onto Paul Harvey Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.14 one way
$58.28 round trip
$3.83/gal25.4 MPG avg68 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.05
$30.85
$61.71
premium
$4.39
$33.46
$66.91
diesel
$5.61
$42.70
$85.40
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 67.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
58
0
$20.31
$9.28
Efficient EV
48.4
0
$16.92
$7.74
EV Truck/SUV
77.4
0
$27.08
$12.38
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 as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Denver, CO
Afternoon
in Denver on Saturday
Local time
12:43 PM
MDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Las Animas, CO
Afternoon
in Las Animas on Saturday
Local time
12:43 PM
MDT
Current temp
63°F
Sunny
NW 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued April 18 at 7:53AM MDT until April 19 at 8:00AM MDT by NWS Pueblo CO
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 18 at 2:58AM MDT until April 18 at 7:00PM MDT by NWS Goodland KS
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
17 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
4h 14m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument
National Monument
Beneath a grassy mountain valley in central Colorado lies one of the richest and most diverse fossil deposits in the world. Petrified redwood stumps up to 14 feet wide and thousands of detailed fossil...
24 mi from route
~61 min detour
$10
near mile 66.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' which means you'll be navigating a variety of roads, not just a single highway. Only 21% of the route is on highways, so be prepared for more frequent adjustments. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 56.9 miles on South Valley Highway. This suggests a journey where you'll experience different road types and potentially slower speeds as you transition between them, offering a more intimate feel of the landscape.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 31 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 56.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near Grant Street.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 193.4 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 0.2 miles (Grant Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 70.5 miles (I 25 / Ronald Reagan Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 14m. Total distance: 193.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Denver, CO to Las Animas, CO covers 193.4 miles and takes about 4h 14m 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 96.7 miles from Denver, CO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $29.14 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 193.4 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 0.2 miles (Grant Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 70.5 miles (I 25 / Ronald Reagan Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Denver, 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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
