Origin
Lamar, CO
Evening in Lamar on Sunday
Local time
5:11 PM
MDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lamar, CO to Colorado Springs, CO
Drive Time
3h 47m
Distance
169.1 mi
272 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 35m
★
6 AM
3h 47m
8 AM
4h 13m
10 AM
3h 56m
12 PM
3h 54m
3 PM
3h 57m
5 PM
4h 11m
8 PM
3h 40m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Trip Overview
Spanning 169.1 miles across the Colorado plains, this route connects Lamar to Colorado Springs in approximately 3 hours and 47 minutes. Since the entire journey stays within the Mountain West region, you will experience a consistent transition from the high plains toward the front range. It is perfectly manageable as a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. Budgeting around $26 for fuel should cover your needs for the duration of the drive. Whether you are commuting or road-tripping, the straightforward nature of this path makes it a reliable choice for your travel schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
84.6 miles from Lamar, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 43m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a focused, highway-heavy experience as 99% of this trip takes place on open roads. You will rely primarily on CO 94, US 287, and US 24 to navigate the distance. The route features a significant 85.7-mile stretch on CO 94, which serves as the longest uninterrupted portion of your drive. Because this is a highway-focused itinerary, you can anticipate consistent speeds and a steady pace behind the wheel. It is a practical, efficient drive that prioritizes direct movement between these two points over technical or winding mountain passes.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 10 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
CO 94 is the longest continuous segment at about 85.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on CO 94 and US 287. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near US 287; US 385 / South Main Street.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 3h 47m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (US 287; US 385 / South Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.6 miles (US 287): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.9 miles (US 287): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 287; US 385 / South Main Street
Turn left onto US 287; US 385 / South Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
7.6 mi into trip
|
~11m in
|
US 287
Take the exit onto US 287 toward US 287 North: Limon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 287 North: Limon
7
7.9 mi into trip
|
~11m in
|
US 287
Keep slight right at fork onto US 287 toward US 287 North: Limon
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward US 287 North: Limon
4
161.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 33m in
|
US 24; CO 4
Turn left onto US 24; CO 4
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
5
169 mi into trip
|
~3h 47m in
|
East Pikes Peak Avenue
Turn right onto East Pikes Peak Avenue
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| CO 94 | 85.7 mi | 2h 1m |
| US 287 | 68.5 mi | 1h 20m |
| US 24 | 7.1 mi | 12m |
| US 50 | 5.7 mi | 7m |
| South Main Street | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| North Weber Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| West Elm Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| East Pikes Peak Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
CO 94
— 85.7 mi, about 2h 1m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lamar, CO and Colorado Springs, CO.
1
Start on West Elm Street
436 ft
·
21 sec
·
West Elm Street
2
Turn left onto US 287; US 385
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
South Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
3
Continue on US 50; US 287
5.7 mi
·
7 min
·
US 50; US 287
Use the straight lane.
4
Take the exit onto US 287
0.4 mi
·
32 sec
·
US 287
Toward US 287 North: Limon
Use the slight right lane.
5
Keep slight right at fork onto US 287
68 mi
·
1 hr 19 min
·
US 287
Toward US 287 North: Limon
Use the straight lane.
6
Turn left onto CO 94
86 mi
·
2 hr 1 min
·
CO 94
7
Turn left onto US 24; CO 4
7.1 mi
·
12 min
·
US 24; CO 4
Use the none lane.
8
Turn left onto North Weber Street
0.3 mi
·
50 sec
·
North Weber Street
9
Turn right onto East Pikes Peak Avenue
422 ft
·
14 sec
·
East Pikes Peak Avenue
10
Arrive at destination
East Pikes Peak Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively quick trip, planning for a single stop is ideal to break up the nearly four-hour drive. Leaving early in the day gives you maximum flexibility to manage your fuel stops and adjust for traffic as you approach the Colorado Springs area. Keep in mind that long highway stretches require staying alert, so plan your break around the midway point to keep your energy levels steady. Given the $26 estimated fuel cost, check your gauge before heading onto the longer highway segments to ensure you have plenty of range. Prioritizing your comfort on the 85.7-mile CO 94 segment will make the overall journey much more pleasant.
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 84.6 miles from Lamar, CO, or about 1h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 85.7 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 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 84.6 miles or 1h 43m 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
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 Lamar, 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 Lamar, CO
This is one driving day of about 169.1 miles and 3h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Lamar, 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 CO 94 for about 85.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 84.6 mi from Lamar, CO · 1h 43m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
85 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 84.6 miles from Lamar, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before CO 94 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 85.7 miles.
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
$25.62 one way
$51.25 round trip
$3.85/gal
25.4 MPG avg
59 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.08 | $27.19 | $54.38 |
| premium | $4.43 | $29.51 | $59.03 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $37.57 | $75.14 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 59.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 50.7 | 0 | $17.76 | $8.12 |
| Efficient EV | 42.3 | 0 | $14.80 | $6.76 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 67.6 | 0 | $23.67 | $10.82 |
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 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.
Destination
Colorado Springs, CO
Evening in Colorado Springs on Sunday
Local time
5:11 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
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
3h 47m 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 Lamar, CO to Colorado Springs, CO covers 169.1 miles and takes about 3h 47m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are CO 94, US 287, US 24. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 84.6 miles from Lamar, CO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $25.62 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a straightforward 3h 47m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (US 287; US 385 / South Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.6 miles (US 287): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.9 miles (US 287): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Lamar, CO to Colorado Springs, CO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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