Origin
Parker, CO
Evening in Parker on Sunday
Local time
5:07 PM
MDT
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Parker, CO to Castle Rock, CO
Drive Time
22m
Distance
13.3 mi
21 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 21m
★
6 AM
0h 23m
8 AM
0h 27m
10 AM
0h 24m
12 PM
0h 24m
3 PM
0h 25m
5 PM
0h 27m
8 PM
0h 22m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Parker, CO
Egor Komarov
Castle Rock, CO
Peter Mayer
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick transition between Parker and Castle Rock, this 13.3-mile trip is an efficient option. Expect to spend about 22 minutes behind the wheel, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day excursion. You will navigate via a mix of South Parker Road, Crowfoot Valley Road, and Front Street to complete the journey. With a fuel cost of only $2, it is a highly budget-friendly route within the Mountain West region. Since both towns sit within Colorado, you will stay firmly planted in the same geographic territory throughout the drive. It is a straightforward trip that requires no overnight planning, allowing for maximum flexibility in your schedule.
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
6.7 miles from Parker, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 10m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate haul. Only 4% of this route involves highway travel, meaning you will spend the vast majority of your time on local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 6.1-mile segment along Crowfoot Valley Road. Because the drive is primarily local, you should stay alert for frequent turns and shifting road conditions. This journey offers a tactile driving experience that rewards your focus, contrasting sharply with the repetitive nature of long-distance highway cruising.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Crowfoot Valley Road is the longest continuous segment at about 6.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East Mainstreet.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 13.3 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: near the start (East Mainstreet): Navigation decision point; at 3 miles (Stroh Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.9 miles (Crowfoot Valley Road): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
East Mainstreet
Turn right onto East Mainstreet
Navigation decision point
5
3 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
Stroh Road
Turn right onto Stroh Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
3.9 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
Crowfoot Valley Road
Turn left onto Crowfoot Valley Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
6
11.3 mi into trip
|
~18m in
|
Front Street
Turn left onto Front Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
5
13.1 mi into trip
|
~22m in
|
Front Street
Keep slight left at fork onto Front Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Crowfoot Valley Road | 6.1 mi | 9m |
| South Parker Road | 2.8 mi | 4m |
| Front Street | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| Stroh Road | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Founders Parkway | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Woodlands Boulevard | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Black Feather Trail | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| East Mainstreet | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Crowfoot Valley Road
— 6.1 mi, about 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Parker, CO and Castle Rock, CO.
1
Start on South Pikes Peak Drive
100 ft
·
8 sec
·
South Pikes Peak Drive
2
Turn right onto East Mainstreet
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
·
East Mainstreet
3
Turn left onto CO 83
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
South Parker Road
Use the left lane.
4
Turn right onto Stroh Road
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Stroh Road
Use the right lane.
5
Turn left onto Crowfoot Valley Road
6.1 mi
·
9 min
·
Crowfoot Valley Road
Use the none lane.
6
Turn right onto CO 86
0.5 mi
·
45 sec
·
Founders Parkway
Use the left / none lanes.
7
Turn left onto Woodlands Boulevard
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Woodlands Boulevard
8
Turn right onto Black Feather Trail
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
Black Feather Trail
9
Turn left onto Front Street
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Front Street
Use the none lane.
10
Continue on Front Street
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
Front Street
Use the left lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto Front Street
185 ft
·
8 sec
·
Front Street
12
Turn left onto 5th Street
217 ft
·
9 sec
·
5th Street
13
Turn right onto North Cantril Street
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
North Cantril Street
14
Arrive at destination
North Cantril Street
Trip Plan
Given the short 22-minute duration, you have total freedom to depart whenever it suits your plans. You won't need to worry about fuel stops or rest breaks, as the entire distance is easily manageable in one go. Keep your focus sharp while navigating the turns, especially when transitioning between the local roads and Front Street. Since the total trip is only 13.3 miles, use this quick transit time to your advantage by planning your arrival in Castle Rock early to maximize your day. A helpful tip for this specific route is to familiarize yourself with the Crowfoot Valley Road section beforehand, as it accounts for nearly half of your total driving distance.
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 6.7 miles from Parker, CO, or about 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 6.1 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 13.3 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 6.7 miles or 10m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Castle Rock, CO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Parker, 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 Parker, CO
This is one driving day of about 13.3 miles and 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Parker, 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 Crowfoot Valley Road for about 6.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 6.7 mi from Parker, CO · 10m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
7 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 13.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 6.7 miles from Parker, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Castle Rock, CO
The final approach into Castle Rock, 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 Castle Rock, 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
$2.02 one way
$4.03 round trip
$3.85/gal
25.4 MPG avg
5 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.08 | $2.14 | $4.28 |
| premium | $4.43 | $2.32 | $4.64 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $2.95 | $5.91 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$27–$52
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 4.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 60% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 4 | 0 | $1.40 | $0.64 |
| Efficient EV | 3.3 | 0 | $1.16 | $0.53 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 5.3 | 0 | $1.86 | $0.85 |
Gas CO2
5 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (60% 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
Castle Rock, CO
Evening in Castle Rock on Sunday
Local time
5:07 PM
MDT
Current temp
38°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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
22m 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 Parker, CO to Castle Rock, CO covers 13.3 miles and takes about 22m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Crowfoot Valley Road, South Parker Road, Front Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 6.7 miles from Parker, CO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $2.02 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 is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 13.3 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: near the start (East Mainstreet): Navigation decision point; at 3 miles (Stroh Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.9 miles (Crowfoot Valley Road): Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Parker, CO to Castle Rock, CO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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