Drive Time
48m
Distance
33.8 mi
54 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
Photo: gabesdotphotos photographer
The drive from Penrose, CO to Colorado Springs, CO covers 33.8 miles and takes about 48m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on CO 115, South Weber Street, Grant Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 32.8 miles on CO 115. At current regular gas prices, budget about $5.12 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
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
16.9 miles from Penrose, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 24m into the drive .
This is a 48m highway drive covering 33.8 miles, with most of the trip on CO 115 and South Weber Street. The longest continuous stretch is about 32.8 miles on CO 115.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on CO 115 and South Weber Street. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near 4th Avenue.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Penrose, CO to Colorado Springs, CO is easy. At 48m with 97% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (4th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (CO 115): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here; at 33.1 miles (East Cimarron Street): Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto 4th Avenue
Navigation decision point
Turn sharp right onto CO 115
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto East Cimarron Street
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto South Weber Street
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto East Pikes Peak Avenue
Navigation decision point
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| CO 115 | 32.8 mi | 45m |
| South Weber Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Grant Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| 4th Avenue | 0.1 mi | <1m |
| East Cimarron Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| East Pikes Peak Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Penrose, CO and Colorado Springs, CO.
Start on Grant Street
Turn left onto 4th Avenue
Turn sharp right onto CO 115
Turn right onto East Cimarron Street
Turn left onto South Weber Street
Turn left onto East Pikes Peak Avenue
Arrive at destination
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.
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 33.8 miles or 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 16.9 miles or 24m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Colorado Springs, CO than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Penrose, 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 Penrose, CO
This is one driving day of about 33.8 miles and 48m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 16.9 mi from Penrose, CO · 24m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
17 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.
A short stop after about 33.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 16.9 miles from Penrose, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Regular Gas
$5.12 one way
$10.24 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.08 | $5.43 | $10.87 |
| premium | $4.43 | $5.90 | $11.80 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $7.51 | $15.02 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$5
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$30–$55
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 11.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 10.1 | 0 | $3.55 | $1.62 |
| Efficient EV | 8.5 | 0 | $2.96 | $1.35 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 13.5 | 0 | $4.73 | $2.16 |
Gas CO2
12 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (67% 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Late night in Penrose on Sunday
Local time
12:21 AM
MDT
Current temp
39°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Colorado Springs on Sunday
Local time
12:21 AM
MDT
Current temp
62°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
64°F
Fort Carson, CO
17 mi in
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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