The drive from Las Animas, CO to Colorado Springs, CO covers 124.8 miles and takes about 2h 57m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 50, Ronald Reagan Highway, CO 96 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mixed drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 26.2 miles on US 50.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $18.80 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
62.4 miles from Las Animas, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 40m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 57m. Total distance: 124.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (39%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The drive from Las Animas, CO to Colorado Springs, CO covers 124.8 miles and takes about 2h 57m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 50 is the longest continuous segment at about 26.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near US 50 / Ambassador Thompson Boulevard.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 124.8 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 0.1 miles (US 50 / Ambassador Thompson Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 47.8 miles (CO 167 / South Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 78 miles (Paul Harvey Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|US 50 / Ambassador Thompson Boulevard
Turn right onto US 50 / Ambassador Thompson Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
6
47.8 mi into trip|~1h 20m in|CO 167 / South Main Street
Turn right onto CO 167 / South Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
78 mi into trip|~2h 3m in|Paul Harvey Boulevard
Turn right onto Paul Harvey Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
8
122.9 mi into trip|~2h 53m in
Take the exit toward CO 115 South: Nevada Avenue, Tejon Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 140
Toward CO 115 South: Nevada Avenue, Tejon Stree...
8
123.2 mi into trip|~2h 53m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Nevada Avenue North, Downtown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward Nevada Avenue North, Downtown
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 50
26.2 mi
43m
Ronald Reagan Highway
23 mi
23m
CO 96
20.7 mi
27m
Ambassador Thompson Boulevard
19.8 mi
33m
John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
12.9 mi
12m
West 3rd Street
9.3 mi
15m
César Chávez Memorial Highway
3.8 mi
5m
William White Boulevard
2.8 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
US 50
— 26.2 mi, about 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Las Animas, CO and Colorado Springs, CO.
1
Start on Elm Avenue
0.1 mi·29 sec·Elm Avenue
2
Turn right onto US 50
20 mi·33 min·Ambassador Thompson Boulevard
Use the straight / left lanes.
3
Continue on US 50
9.3 mi·15 min·West 3rd Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Continue on US 50
19 mi·31 min·US 50
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Turn right onto CO 167
1.7 mi·3 min·South Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Turn left onto CO 96
21 mi·27 min·CO 96
7
Continue on US 50; CO 96
7.6 mi·12 min·US 50; CO 96
Use the straight lane.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Use the slight right lane.
9
Turn right onto Paul Harvey Boulevard
0.3 mi·48 sec·Paul Harvey Boulevard
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
10
At end of road, turn left onto William White Boulevard
2.8 mi·4 min·William White Boulevard
11
Turn right onto CO 47
3.8 mi·5 min·César Chávez Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi·47 sec
Toward I 25 North: Denver
13
Merge onto I 25
1.8 mi·1 min·North Freeway
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on I 25
13 mi·12 min·John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 25
23 mi·23 min·Ronald Reagan Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 140Toward CO 115 South: Nevada Avenue, Tejon StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork
406 ft·13 sec
Toward Nevada Avenue North, DowntownUse the straight / right lanes.
18
Turn right onto South Nevada Avenue
0.8 mi·1 min·South Nevada Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Turn right onto East Cimarron Street
489 ft·21 sec·East Cimarron Street
Use the right lane.
20
Turn left onto South Weber Street
0.5 mi·1 min·South Weber Street
21
Turn left onto East Pikes Peak Avenue
422 ft·14 sec·East Pikes Peak Avenue
22
Arrive at destination
East Pikes Peak Avenue
Trip Plan
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 62.4 miles from Las Animas, CO, or about 1h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 26.2 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 27 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 62.4 miles or 1h 40m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 31m
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 Las Animas, 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 Las Animas, CO
This is one driving day of about 124.8 miles and 2h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Las Animas, 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 US 50 for about 26.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 62.4 mi from Las Animas, CO
· 1h 40m into the drive
The midpoint is around 62.4 miles from Las Animas, 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument
National Monument
Beneath a grassy mountain valley in central Colorado lies one of the richest and most diverse fossil deposits in the world. Petrified redwood stumps up to 14 feet wide and thousands of detailed fossil...
25 mi from route
~63 min detour
$10
near mile 125.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.80 one way
$37.61 round trip
$3.83/gal25.4 MPG avg44 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.05
$19.91
$39.82
premium
$4.39
$21.59
$43.18
diesel
$5.61
$27.55
$55.11
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 43.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
37.4
0
$13.10
$5.99
Efficient EV
31.2
0
$10.92
$4.99
EV Truck/SUV
49.9
0
$17.47
$7.99
Gas CO2
44 kg
EV CO2
15 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Las Animas, CO
Morning
in Las Animas on Saturday
Local time
6:41 AM
MDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Colorado Springs, CO
Morning
in Colorado Springs on Saturday
Local time
6:41 AM
MDT
Current temp
44°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
4 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 57m 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 Las Animas, CO to Colorado Springs, CO covers 124.8 miles and takes about 2h 57m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 50, Ronald Reagan Highway, CO 96. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 62.4 miles from Las Animas, CO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $18.80 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.
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 demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 124.8 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 0.1 miles (US 50 / Ambassador Thompson Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 47.8 miles (CO 167 / South Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 78 miles (Paul Harvey Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Las Animas, CO to Colorado Springs, CO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
