Origin
Manitou Springs, CO
Night in Manitou Springs on Sunday
Local time
10:05 PM
MDT
Current temp
34°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Manitou Springs, CO to Colorado Springs, CO
Drive Time
15m
Distance
6.7 mi
11 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$1
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 14m
★
6 AM
0h 15m
8 AM
0h 18m
10 AM
0h 16m
12 PM
0h 16m
3 PM
0h 16m
5 PM
0h 18m
8 PM
0h 15m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Manitou Springs, CO
gabesdotphotos photographer
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick transition between Manitou Springs and Colorado Springs, this 6.7-mile connection is as straightforward as it gets. Expect to spend about 15 minutes behind the wheel, making this a perfect day trip that requires no overnight planning. You will primarily navigate via Manitou Avenue, the Midland Expressway, and West Cimarron Street to complete the trek. With a fuel cost estimate of just $1, it is a highly economical way to move between these two Mountain West locations. Because the distance is so short, you have total flexibility in your schedule, allowing you to focus your time on your destination rather than the commute. It is a practical, no-fuss route that gets you where you need to be 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
3.3 miles from Manitou Springs, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 8m into the drive .
Drive Character
This 15-minute excursion is defined by a turn-heavy, local driving profile rather than a long-distance highway slog. Only about 15% of your travel time will be spent on highway-grade roads, so keep your focus on local traffic patterns and navigation. You will find the longest uninterrupted stretch is a 2.3-mile segment on West Cimarron Street, which provides a brief break from the more frequent turns found on the local streets. As you transition from Manitou Avenue onto the Midland Expressway, the road feel shifts from a community-focused pace to a slightly faster flow. Be prepared for a drive that demands consistent attention to turns rather than high-speed cruising.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
West Cimarron Street is the longest continuous segment at about 2.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near US 24 Business / Manitou Avenue.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 6.7 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (US 24 Business / Manitou Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Lane positioning matters here; at 1.9 miles (US 24 / Midland Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 5.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0.3 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
US 24 Business / Manitou Avenue
Enter roundabout onto US 24 Business / Manitou Avenue
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
5
1.9 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
US 24 / Midland Expressway
Merge onto US 24 / Midland Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
6
5.2 mi into trip
|
~10m in
Take the exit toward 8th Street North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward 8th Street North
5
5.4 mi into trip
|
~11m in
|
West Colorado Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto West Colorado Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
6.5 mi into trip
|
~14m in
|
South Weber Street
Turn left onto South Weber Street
Navigation decision point
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Manitou Springs, CO to Colorado Springs, CO, road signs begin pointing toward 8Th Street North along the way.
8Th Street North
5.2 mi in
|
~10m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| West Cimarron Street | 2.3 mi | 3m |
| Manitou Avenue | 1.4 mi | 4m |
| Midland Expressway | 1 mi | 1m |
| West Colorado Avenue | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| East Colorado Avenue | 0.3 mi | 1m |
| South 8th Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Park Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| South Weber Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
West Cimarron Street
— 2.3 mi, about 3m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Manitou Springs, CO and Colorado Springs, CO.
1
Start on this road
93 ft
·
7 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto Cañon Avenue
34 ft
·
4 sec
·
Cañon Avenue
3
Turn left onto Park Avenue
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
Park Avenue
4
Continue on Park Avenue
90 ft
·
9 sec
·
Park Avenue
5
Turn left onto US 24 Business
480 ft
·
22 sec
·
Manitou Avenue
6
Continue on US 24 Business
1.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Manitou Avenue
Use the none lane.
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
8
Merge onto US 24
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Midland Expressway
Use the none lane.
9
Continue on US 24
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
West Cimarron Street
Use the none lane.
10
Take the exit
375 ft
·
11 sec
Toward 8th Street North
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
11
Turn straight onto South 8th Street
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
South 8th Street
Use the left lane.
12
At end of road, turn right onto West Colorado Avenue
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
West Colorado Avenue
13
Continue on East Colorado Avenue
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
East Colorado Avenue
Use the left / none lanes.
14
Turn left onto South Weber Street
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
South Weber Street
15
Turn left onto East Pikes Peak Avenue
422 ft
·
14 sec
·
East Pikes Peak Avenue
16
Arrive at destination
East Pikes Peak Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a brief, 6.7-mile trip, you can easily depart at any time of day that suits your itinerary without worrying about fatigue or complex rest stops. You won't need to plan for any formal stops along the way, as the duration is short enough to drive straight through comfortably. Keep in mind that because this route relies on local roads and turn-heavy streets, checking local traffic conditions before you pull out of your driveway is a smart move. Given the minimal fuel cost of $1, you don't need to factor gas station stops into your travel time. My best advice is to embrace the flexibility of this short drive by keeping your schedule loose and enjoying the easy access between these two neighboring towns.
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 3.3 miles from Manitou Springs, CO, or about 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 2.3 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 6.7 miles or 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 3.3 miles or 8m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 12m
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 Manitou Springs, 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 Manitou Springs, CO
This is one driving day of about 6.7 miles and 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Manitou Springs, 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 West Cimarron Street for about 2.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 3.3 mi from Manitou Springs, CO · 8m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
3 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 6.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 3.3 miles from Manitou Springs, 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
$1.02 one way
$2.03 round trip
$3.85/gal
25.4 MPG avg
2 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.08 | $1.08 | $2.15 |
| premium | $4.43 | $1.17 | $2.34 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $1.49 | $2.98 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$26–$51
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 2.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 50% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 2 | 0 | $0.70 | $0.32 |
| Efficient EV | 1.7 | 0 | $0.59 | $0.27 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 2.7 | 0 | $0.94 | $0.43 |
Gas CO2
2 kg
EV CO2
1 kg (50% 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
Night in Colorado Springs on Sunday
Local time
10:05 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
28 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
15m 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 Manitou Springs, CO to Colorado Springs, CO covers 6.7 miles and takes about 15m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are West Cimarron Street, Manitou Avenue, Midland Expressway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 3.3 miles from Manitou Springs, CO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $1.02 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 6.7 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (US 24 Business / Manitou Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering. Lane positioning matters here; at 1.9 miles (US 24 / Midland Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 5.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Manitou Springs, CO to Colorado Springs, CO, road signs begin pointing toward 8Th Street North along the way.
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