Origin
Fort Carson, CO
Afternoon in Fort Carson on Sunday
Local time
3:55 PM
MDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fort Carson, CO to Broomfield, CO
Drive Time
1h 51m
Distance
93.4 mi
150 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 43m
★
6 AM
1h 51m
8 AM
2h 8m
10 AM
1h 57m
12 PM
1h 56m
3 PM
1h 58m
5 PM
2h 7m
8 PM
1h 47m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fort Carson, CO
Jacob Moore
Broomfield, CO
Anastasia Shuraeva
Trip Overview
Traveling from Fort Carson to Broomfield covers 93.4 miles through the Mountain West, a trip that typically takes about 1 hour and 51 minutes. Since it is a relatively short distance, you can easily complete this journey as a simple day trip without needing an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via the Ronald Reagan Highway, the Monument Valley Freeway, and the Denver–Boulder Turnpike. With a fuel budget of approximately $14, the route is quite cost-effective for a quick commute. Whether you are heading north for business or a change of pace, this drive offers a straightforward connection between two key Colorado locations.
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
46.7 miles from Fort Carson, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 57m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that transitions through various road types as you head north. Only 23% of this 93.4-mile journey consists of highway driving, meaning you will spend a significant portion of the trip navigating local infrastructure. Your longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on the Ronald Reagan Highway, spanning 68.6 miles. Because of the local nature of the route, stay alert for frequent turns rather than expecting a monotonous interstate grind. The road's personality shifts from the initial departure point to the final arrival in Broomfield, requiring your full attention behind the wheel.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 23 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 68.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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 6.3 miles in.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 93.4 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 6.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 83.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
6.3 mi into trip
|
~11m in
Turn left toward I 25 North, US 24 West: Denver
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I 25 North, US 24 West: Denver
7
6.4 mi into trip
|
~12m in
Take the ramp toward I 25 North, US 24 West: Denver
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 25 North, US 24 West: Denver
8
83.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 37m in
Take the exit toward US 36 West: Westminster, Boulder
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 217A
Toward US 36 West: Westminster, Boulder
6
85.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 41m in
|
US 36 / Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36 / Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
6
87.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 43m in
|
US 36 / Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36 / Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Fort Carson, CO to Broomfield, CO, road signs begin pointing toward Boulder along the way.
Boulder
83.1 mi in
|
~1h 37m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Ronald Reagan Highway | 68.6 mi | 1h 16m |
| Denver–Boulder Turnpike | 8.7 mi | 10m |
| Monument Valley Freeway | 7.7 mi | 8m |
| CO 115 | 4.4 mi | 7m |
| Chiles Avenue | 1 mi | 2m |
| O'Connell Boulevard | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| CO 121 | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| West Midway Boulevard | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Ronald Reagan Highway
— 68.6 mi, about 1h 16m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Carson, CO and Broomfield, CO.
1
Start on Prussman Avenue
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
Prussman Avenue
2
Turn right onto Chiles Avenue
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Chiles Avenue
3
Turn left onto O'Connell Boulevard
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
·
O'Connell Boulevard
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
5
Merge onto CO 115
4.4 mi
·
7 min
·
CO 115
Use the straight lane.
6
Turn left
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
Toward I 25 North, US 24 West: Denver
Use the left lane.
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward I 25 North, US 24 West: Denver
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 25; US 24
7.7 mi
·
8 min
·
Monument Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 25
69 mi
·
1 hr 16 min
·
Ronald Reagan Highway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
51 sec
Exit 217A
Toward US 36 West: Westminster, Boulder
Use the slight left lane.
11
Merge onto US 36
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Use the none lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Use the none lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Use the none lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Use the none lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
0.8 mi
·
52 sec
·
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Use the none lane.
16
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
42 sec
Toward CO 121: Wadsworth Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn right onto CO 121
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
CO 121
Use the none lane.
18
Continue on US 287
204 ft
·
5 sec
·
US 287
Use the none lane.
19
Turn right onto West Midway Boulevard
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
West Midway Boulevard
Use the right lane.
20
Turn right onto Nickel Street
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
Nickel Street
Use the right lane.
21
Turn left onto West 3rd Avenue
273 ft
·
17 sec
·
West 3rd Avenue
Use the left lane.
22
Turn left
192 ft
·
14 sec
23
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 1 hour and 51 minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around local traffic patterns. Since the trip involves zero scheduled stops, you should fuel up before leaving Fort Carson to ensure you stay within your $14 estimate. Keep in mind that the heavy reliance on local roads means your pace will fluctuate; build in a little extra time for potential congestion. Since this is a single-day commitment, take advantage of the short distance by traveling during off-peak hours to make the drive more manageable. Use the Ronald Reagan Highway stretch to settle into a steady rhythm before you encounter the turn-heavy sections closer to 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.
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 46.7 miles from Fort Carson, CO, or about 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 68.6 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 80 miles or 1h 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 46.7 miles or 57m 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 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Broomfield, CO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Fort Carson, 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 Fort Carson, CO
This is one driving day of about 93.4 miles and 1h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Fort Carson, 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 68.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 46.7 mi from Fort Carson, CO · 57m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
47 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 46.7 miles from Fort Carson, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Ronald Reagan Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 68.6 miles.
Arriving in Broomfield, CO
The final approach into Broomfield, 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 Broomfield, 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
$14.15 one way
$28.31 round trip
$3.85/gal
25.4 MPG avg
33 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.08 | $15.02 | $30.04 |
| premium | $4.43 | $16.30 | $32.60 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $20.75 | $41.50 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.60
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
(8.7 mi)
$0.60
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 32.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 28 | 0 | $9.81 | $4.48 |
| Efficient EV | 23.4 | 0 | $8.17 | $3.74 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 37.4 | 0 | $13.08 | $5.98 |
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 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
Broomfield, CO
Afternoon in Broomfield on Sunday
Local time
3:55 PM
MDT
Current temp
42°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
22 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
1h 51m 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 Fort Carson, CO to Broomfield, CO covers 93.4 miles and takes about 1h 51m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Ronald Reagan Highway, Denver–Boulder Turnpike, Monument Valley Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 46.7 miles from Fort Carson, CO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $14.15 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 demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 93.4 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 6.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 83.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Fort Carson, CO to Broomfield, CO, road signs begin pointing toward Boulder along the way.
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