Origin
La Junta, CO
Morning in La Junta on Monday
Local time
11:59 AM
MDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from La Junta, CO to Colorado Springs, CO
Drive Time
1h 48m
Distance
106.9 mi
172 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 41m
★
6 AM
1h 49m
8 AM
2h 5m
10 AM
1h 54m
12 PM
1h 53m
3 PM
1h 55m
5 PM
2h 4m
8 PM
1h 44m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Trip Overview
Traveling from La Junta to Colorado Springs covers 106.9 miles and typically takes about 1 hour and 48 minutes. Because this is a relatively short trek, you can easily complete it in a single day without needing an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $15 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Mountain West locations. Navigating this route involves primarily local roads like West 4th Street, Santa Fe Avenue, and West 1st Street, rather than major interstates. It serves as a straightforward connection between these two Colorado points, making it a manageable drive for those looking to reach their destination efficiently.
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
53.5 miles from La Junta, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 54m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as this route features 0% highway travel. You will spend your time navigating through local thoroughfares, meaning you should be prepared for frequent adjustments and standard road transitions. There is no single long-distance stretch on this path, as the longest uninterrupted segment is 0 miles on West 4th Street. This setup creates a more engaged experience behind the wheel compared to a high-speed highway commute. Stay alert to the changing nature of the local streets as you transition from the starting point to your final destination.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 24 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
West 4th 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 La Junta, CO to Colorado Springs, CO is easy. At 1h 48m 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 La Junta, CO to Colorado Springs, CO is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| West 4th Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Santa Fe Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| West 1st Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| West 3rd Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South Main Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Paul Harvey Boulevard | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| William White Boulevard | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| César Chávez Memorial Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
West 4th Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between La Junta, CO and Colorado Springs, CO.
1
Start on the route
23 ft
·
4 sec
·
the route
2
Turn right onto West 4th Street
203 ft
·
11 sec
·
West 4th Street
3
Turn right onto Santa Fe Avenue
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
Santa Fe Avenue
4
At the end of the road, turn left onto West 1st Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
West 1st Street
5
Continue on West 3rd Street
9.3 mi
·
15 min
·
West 3rd Street
6
Continue straight
19 mi
·
31 min
7
Turn right onto South Main Street
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
South Main Street
8
Turn left
21 mi
·
27 min
9
Continue straight
7.6 mi
·
12 min
10
Take the exit slight right
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
11
Turn right onto Paul Harvey Boulevard
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
Paul Harvey Boulevard
12
At the end of the road, turn left onto William White Boulevard
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
William White Boulevard
13
Turn right onto César Chávez Memorial Highway
3.8 mi
·
5 min
·
César Chávez Memorial Highway
14
Take the exit slight right toward I 25 North: Denver
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
·
I 25 North: Denver
15
Merge slight left onto North Freeway
1.8 mi
·
1 min
·
North Freeway
16
Continue on John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
13 mi
·
12 min
·
John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
17
Continue on Ronald Reagan Highway
23 mi
·
23 min
·
Ronald Reagan Highway
18
Take the exit slight right toward CO 115 South: Nevada Avenue, Tejon Street
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
CO 115 South: Nevada Avenue, Tejon Street
19
Keep slight right to continue on Nevada Avenue North, Downtown
407 ft
·
14 sec
·
Nevada Avenue North, Downtown
20
Turn right onto South Nevada Avenue
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
South Nevada Avenue
21
Turn right onto East Cimarron Street
489 ft
·
21 sec
·
East Cimarron Street
22
Turn left onto South Weber Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Weber Street
23
Turn left onto East Pikes Peak Avenue
423 ft
·
14 sec
·
East Pikes Peak Avenue
24
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since the total duration is under two hours, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time. You won't need to worry about planning formal stops for this quick trip, but keeping your fuel budget of $15 in mind is a smart way to stay prepared before you head out. Because you are navigating entirely on local roads, maintain a steady pace and be mindful of local traffic patterns throughout the journey. The lack of highway miles means you should account for potential stop-and-go conditions while moving through the various streets on your route. Use this short travel time to your advantage by planning your arrival in Colorado Springs for whenever suits your schedule best.
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 53.5 miles from La Junta, CO, or about 54m 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 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 53.5 miles or 54m 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 29m
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 La Junta, 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 La Junta, CO
This is one driving day of about 106.9 miles and 1h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from La Junta, 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 53.5 mi from La Junta, CO · 54m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
53 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 53.5 miles from La Junta, 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
$16.20 one way
$32.40 round trip
$3.85/gal
25.4 MPG avg
37 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.08 | $17.19 | $34.38 |
| premium | $4.43 | $18.66 | $37.31 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $23.75 | $47.50 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 37.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 32.1 | 0 | $11.22 | $5.13 |
| Efficient EV | 26.7 | 0 | $9.35 | $4.28 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 42.8 | 0 | $14.97 | $6.84 |
Gas CO2
37 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (65% 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
Morning in Colorado Springs on Monday
Local time
11:59 AM
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
23 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 48m 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 La Junta, CO to Colorado Springs, CO covers 106.9 miles and takes about 1h 48m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are West 4th Street, Santa Fe Avenue, West 1st Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 53.5 miles from La Junta, CO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $16.20 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 La Junta, CO to Colorado Springs, CO is easy. At 1h 48m 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 La Junta, CO to Colorado Springs, CO is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from La Junta, CO to Colorado Springs, CO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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