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 Commerce City, CO
Drive Time
1h 41m
Distance
79.3 mi
128 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$12
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 34m
★
6 AM
1h 41m
8 AM
1h 56m
10 AM
1h 47m
12 PM
1h 45m
3 PM
1h 47m
5 PM
1h 56m
8 PM
1h 37m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fort Carson, CO
Jacob Moore
Commerce City, CO
Mark Stebnicki
Trip Overview
Spanning 87.7 miles, this trek from Fort Carson to Commerce City typically takes about 1 hour and 36 minutes to complete. You will primarily navigate via Chiles Avenue, O'Connell Boulevard, and I-25 North as you travel through the Mountain West region. Because the duration is well under two hours, this journey is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, requiring no overnight stays. Plan for a fuel budget of approximately $12 to cover the distance. It is a straightforward, practical connection between these two Colorado points that keeps your travel logistics simple and efficient.
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
39.7 miles from Fort Carson, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 48m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this route features a 0% highway share, meaning your time is spent navigating surface streets rather than cruising at high speeds on major freeways. You will find no long, uninterrupted stretches, as the longest segment on Chiles Avenue offers zero miles of straight-line driving. The personality of this trip is defined by constant adjustments and local road maneuvers, making it feel less like a highway commute and more like a focused, technical navigation through the local area.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 18 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 55.5 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
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 79.3 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 70 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 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
7
70 mi into trip
|
~1h 20m in
Take the exit toward CO 2: Colorado Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 204
Toward CO 2: Colorado Boulevard
7
70.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 21m in
Keep slight right at fork toward CO 2: South Colorado Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward CO 2: South Colorado Boulevard
6
70.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 21m in
Keep slight right at fork toward CO 2 North: Colorado Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward CO 2 North: Colorado Boulevard
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Ronald Reagan Highway | 55.5 mi | 58m |
| Monument Valley Freeway | 7.7 mi | 8m |
| North Colorado Boulevard | 4.8 mi | 10m |
| CO 115 | 4.4 mi | 7m |
| South Colorado Boulevard | 2.9 mi | 6m |
| Chiles Avenue | 1 mi | 2m |
| North Vasquez Boulevard | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| O'Connell Boulevard | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Ronald Reagan Highway
— 55.5 mi, about 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Carson, CO and Commerce City, 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
56 mi
·
58 min
·
Ronald Reagan Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 204
Toward CO 2: Colorado Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward CO 2: South Colorado Boulevard
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork
335 ft
·
10 sec
Toward CO 2 North: Colorado Boulevard
13
Turn straight onto CO 2
2.9 mi
·
6 min
·
South Colorado Boulevard
Use the right lane.
14
Continue on CO 2
4.8 mi
·
10 min
·
North Colorado Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
15
Merge onto US 6; US 85; CO 2
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
North Vasquez Boulevard
16
Turn left onto Dexter Street
0.2 mi
·
52 sec
·
Dexter Street
Use the left lane.
17
Turn left
0.1 mi
·
53 sec
18
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. However, given the turn-heavy nature of the roads, try to avoid peak local traffic hours to ensure a smoother experience without unnecessary delays. You do not need to worry about complex stop-planning, as the duration is manageable for a single, continuous push. Keep your $12 fuel budget in mind before you head out, and ensure your vehicle is ready for frequent stops and turns rather than high-speed cruising. A helpful tip for this specific route is to stay alert on Chiles Avenue, as the lack of long straightaways means you will need to remain engaged with navigation throughout the entire 87.7-mile journey.
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 39.7 miles from Fort Carson, CO, or about 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 55.5 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 79.3 miles or 1h 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 39.7 miles or 48m 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 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Commerce City, 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 79.3 miles and 1h 41m.
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 55.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 39.7 mi from Fort Carson, CO · 48m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
40 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 79.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 39.7 miles from Fort Carson, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Commerce City, CO
The final approach into Commerce City, 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 Commerce City, 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
$12.02 one way
$24.03 round trip
$3.85/gal
25.4 MPG avg
28 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.08 | $12.75 | $25.50 |
| premium | $4.43 | $13.84 | $27.68 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $17.62 | $35.24 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$12
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$37–$62
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 27.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 23.8 | 0 | $8.33 | $3.81 |
| Efficient EV | 19.8 | 0 | $6.94 | $3.17 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 31.7 | 0 | $11.10 | $5.08 |
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (68% 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
Commerce City, CO
Afternoon in Commerce City on Sunday
Local time
3:55 PM
MDT
Current temp
67°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
3 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
1h 41m 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 Commerce City, CO covers 79.3 miles and takes about 1h 41m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Ronald Reagan Highway, Monument Valley Freeway, North Colorado Boulevard. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 39.7 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 $12.02 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 13 significant decision points across 79.3 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 70 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Fort Carson, CO to Commerce City, CO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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