Origin
Springfield, CO
Evening in Springfield on Wednesday
Local time
6:58 PM
MDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Springfield, CO to Aurora, CO
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
4h 42m
Distance
243.6 mi
392 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$37
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 29m
★
6 AM
4h 42m
8 AM
5h 9m
10 AM
4h 52m
12 PM
4h 49m
3 PM
4h 53m
5 PM
5h 8m
8 PM
4h 34m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Springfield, CO
Mark Stebnicki
Aurora, CO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Springfield, CO to Aurora, CO covers 243.6 miles and takes about 4h 42m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 287, Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, Main Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 108 miles on US 287. At current regular gas prices, budget about $36.70 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
121.8 miles from Springfield, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 27m into the drive .
Drive Character
The drive from Springfield, CO to Aurora, CO covers 243.6 miles and takes about 4h 42m, 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 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 287 is the longest continuous segment at about 108 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near US 287; US 385 / Main Street.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 243.6 miles you will encounter 12 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 0.1 miles (US 287; US 385 / Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 54.7 miles (US 287): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 55 miles (US 287): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
6
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 287; US 385 / Main Street
Turn right onto US 287; US 385 / Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
54.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 8m 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
55 mi into trip
|
~1h 8m 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
5
163 mi into trip
|
~3h 16m in
|
I 70 / Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Merge onto I 70 / Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
237.4 mi into trip
|
~4h 30m in
|
I 70 Business; US 40; US 287
Take the exit onto I 70 Business; US 40; US 287 toward I 70 Business, US 40, US 287
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 70 Business, US 40, US 287
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 287 | 108 mi | 2h 7m |
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 74.4 mi | 1h 14m |
| Main Street | 48.9 mi | 1h |
| US 50 | 5.7 mi | 7m |
| East Colfax Avenue | 4.7 mi | 7m |
| North Potomac Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| I 70 Business | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Toledo Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 287
— 108 mi, about 2h 7m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Springfield, CO and Aurora, CO.
1
Start on East 6th Avenue
0.1 mi
·
32 sec
·
East 6th Avenue
2
Turn right onto US 287; US 385
49 mi
·
1 hr
·
Main Street
Use the straight lane.
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
108 mi
·
2 hr 6 min
·
US 287
Toward US 287 North: Limon
Use the straight lane.
6
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Toward I 70 West: Denver
7
Merge onto I 70
74 mi
·
1 hr 14 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight lane.
8
Take the exit onto I 70 Business; US 40; US 287
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
I 70 Business; US 40; US 287
Toward I 70 Business, US 40, US 287
9
Turn slight left onto I 70 Business; US 40; US 287
0.4 mi
·
40 sec
·
I 70 Business; US 40; US 287
Toward I 70 Business, US 40, US 287
10
Turn right onto I 70 Business; US 40; US 287
4.7 mi
·
7 min
·
East Colfax Avenue
Use the left lane.
11
Turn left onto North Potomac Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North Potomac Street
Use the left lane.
12
Turn right onto East 10th Avenue
257 ft
·
11 sec
·
East 10th Avenue
13
Turn left onto Toledo Street
0.2 mi
·
54 sec
·
Toledo Street
14
Turn left onto North Vaughn Street
80 ft
·
3 sec
·
North Vaughn Street
15
Arrive at destination
North Vaughn Street
Trip Plan
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 121.8 miles from Springfield, CO, or about 2h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 108 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 54 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 121.8 miles or 2h 27m 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 52m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Aurora, CO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Springfield, 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 Springfield, CO
This is one driving day of about 243.6 miles and 4h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 miles from Springfield, 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 287 for about 108 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 121.8 mi from Springfield, CO · 2h 27m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
122 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 54 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 121.8 miles from Springfield, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 287 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 108 miles.
Arriving in Aurora, CO
The final approach into Aurora, 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 Aurora, CO.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.70 one way
$73.41 round trip
$3.83/gal
25.4 MPG avg
85 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.05 | $38.86 | $77.72 |
| premium | $4.39 | $42.14 | $84.28 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $53.78 | $107.57 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 85.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 73.1 | 0 | $25.58 | $11.69 |
| Efficient EV | 60.9 | 0 | $21.31 | $9.74 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 97.4 | 1 | $34.10 | $15.59 |
Gas CO2
85 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Aurora, CO
Evening in Aurora on Wednesday
Local time
6:58 PM
MDT
Current temp
47°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
38 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
4h 42m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Springfield, CO to Aurora, CO covers 243.6 miles and takes about 4h 42m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 287, Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, Main Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 121.8 miles from Springfield, CO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $36.70 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. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 243.6 miles you will encounter 12 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 0.1 miles (US 287; US 385 / Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 54.7 miles (US 287): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 55 miles (US 287): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Springfield, CO to Aurora, CO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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