Origin
Fort Collins, CO
Evening in Fort Collins on Sunday
Local time
5:13 PM
MDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fort Collins, CO to Colorado Springs, CO
Drive Time
2h 13m
Distance
146.3 mi
235 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 4m
★
6 AM
2h 14m
8 AM
2h 33m
10 AM
2h 20m
12 PM
2h 18m
3 PM
2h 21m
5 PM
2h 32m
8 PM
2h 8m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fort Collins, CO
Jacob Moore
Trip Overview
Traveling between Fort Collins and Colorado Springs covers 146.3 miles, making for a manageable journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 13 minutes. Because this is a turn-heavy local drive rather than a straight highway shot, it works perfectly as a single-day trip. You should budget approximately $20 for fuel to complete the trek between these two Mountain West hubs. While you could easily make this a round-trip in a single day, staying overnight in Colorado Springs allows you more time to explore the destination without rushing. This route is ideal if you prefer navigating local streets over the monotony of high-speed interstate driving.
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
73.1 miles from Fort Collins, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 6m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a very different experience than your typical highway cruise, as this route features a 0% highway share. You will navigate through local roads like West Magnolia Street, South Meldrum Street, and West Mulberry Street, which defines the drive's turn-heavy personality. Because the longest uninterrupted stretch on West Magnolia Street is 0 miles, you will need to remain alert and engaged with your navigation throughout the entire trip. The road demands constant attention rather than allowing for long periods of cruise control. It is a practical, hands-on drive that keeps you moving through the heart of the local landscape.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
West Magnolia Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Fort Collins, CO to Colorado Springs, CO is easy. At 2h 13m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Fort Collins, CO to Colorado Springs, CO is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| West Magnolia Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South Meldrum Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| West Mulberry Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East Mulberry Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 25 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Dwight D | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North Valley Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Monument Valley Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
West Magnolia Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Collins, CO and Colorado Springs, CO.
1
Start on South Sherwood Street
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
·
South Sherwood Street
2
Continue on West Magnolia Street
476 ft
·
18 sec
·
West Magnolia Street
3
Turn right onto South Meldrum Street
499 ft
·
29 sec
·
South Meldrum Street
4
Turn left onto West Mulberry Street
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
West Mulberry Street
5
Continue on East Mulberry Street
3.9 mi
·
6 min
·
East Mulberry Street
6
Take the exit slight right toward I 25 South: Denver
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
I 25 South: Denver
7
Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
41 mi
·
41 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
8
Continue on North Valley Highway
0.6 mi
·
36 sec
·
North Valley Highway
9
Keep slight right to continue on North Valley Highway
8.8 mi
·
10 min
·
North Valley Highway
10
Keep slight right to continue on North Valley Highway
70 mi
·
1 hr 18 min
·
North Valley Highway
11
Continue on Monument Valley Freeway
5.9 mi
·
6 min
·
Monument Valley Freeway
12
Take the exit slight right toward Bijou Street
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
Bijou Street
13
Keep slight left to continue on I 25: Downtown
495 ft
·
14 sec
·
I 25: Downtown
14
Turn left onto West Bijou Street
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
West Bijou Street
15
Continue on West Kiowa Street
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
West Kiowa Street
16
Continue on East Kiowa Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
East Kiowa Street
17
Turn right onto North Weber Street
492 ft
·
18 sec
·
North Weber Street
18
Turn right onto East Pikes Peak Avenue
423 ft
·
14 sec
·
East Pikes Peak Avenue
19
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since the trip is relatively short at just over two hours, you have significant flexibility with your departure time. However, because you are navigating local streets rather than highways, plan for extra time if you are driving during peak local traffic hours. There are no planned stops on this route, so be sure to fuel up before you leave to keep your $20 budget on track. Keep a close eye on your GPS, as the frequent turns on West Meldrum and West Mulberry streets require quick reactions. Embracing the lack of highway stretches is the best way to enjoy the unique, local pace of this drive.
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 73.1 miles from Fort Collins, CO, or about 1h 6m into the drive.
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 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 73.1 miles or 1h 6m 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 49m
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 Fort Collins, 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 Collins, CO
This is one driving day of about 146.3 miles and 2h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Fort Collins, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 73.1 mi from Fort Collins, CO · 1h 6m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
73 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 73.1 miles from Fort Collins, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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
$22.17 one way
$44.34 round trip
$3.85/gal
25.4 MPG avg
51 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.08 | $23.52 | $47.05 |
| premium | $4.43 | $25.53 | $51.07 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $32.50 | $65.01 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 51.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 43.9 | 0 | $15.36 | $7.02 |
| Efficient EV | 36.6 | 0 | $12.80 | $5.85 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 58.5 | 0 | $20.48 | $9.36 |
Gas CO2
51 kg
EV CO2
17 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
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
5 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 13m 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 Collins, CO to Colorado Springs, CO covers 146.3 miles and takes about 2h 13m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are West Magnolia Street, South Meldrum Street, West Mulberry Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 73.1 miles from Fort Collins, CO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $22.17 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.
The drive from Fort Collins, CO to Colorado Springs, CO is easy. At 2h 13m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Fort Collins, CO to Colorado Springs, CO is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Fort Collins, CO to Colorado Springs, CO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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