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Trip from Steamboat Springs, CO to Colorado Springs, CO

Drive Time

4h 36m

Distance

221.6 mi

357 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$34

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

23 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 23m ★
6 AM
4h 36m
8 AM
5h 3m
10 AM
4h 46m
12 PM
4h 43m
3 PM
4h 47m
5 PM
5h 2m
8 PM
4h 28m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Steamboat Springs, CO, CO

Steamboat Springs, CO

Todd Willett

Trip Overview

The drive from Steamboat Springs, CO to Colorado Springs, CO covers 221.6 miles and takes about 4h 36m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on North Valley Highway, I 70, US 40 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 60.6 miles on North Valley Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $33.58 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

110.8 miles from Steamboat Springs, CO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 27m into the drive .

Drive Character

The drive from Steamboat Springs, CO to Colorado Springs, CO covers 221.6 miles and takes about 4h 36m, 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 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
North Valley Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 60.6 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 89.2 miles in near CO 9.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 221.6 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 89.2 miles (CO 9): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 144.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 152.7 miles (US 6): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 15 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

8
89.2 mi into trip | ~2h 1m in | CO 9

Take the exit onto CO 9 toward I 70 East

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane. Toward I 70 East
8
144.5 mi into trip | ~3h 8m in

Take the exit toward US 6 East: 6th Avenue, Lakewood

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 261 Toward US 6 East: 6th Avenue, Lakewood
7
152.7 mi into trip | ~3h 18m in | US 6

Take the exit onto US 6 toward I 25: Fort Collins, Colorado Springs

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. Toward I 25: Fort Collins, Colorado Springs
7
220.4 mi into trip | ~4h 32m in

Take the exit toward Bijou Street

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 142 Toward Bijou Street
8
220.6 mi into trip | ~4h 33m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 25: Downtown

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / left lanes. Toward I 25: Downtown

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Steamboat Springs, CO to Colorado Springs, CO, road signs begin pointing toward Lakewood along the way.

Lakewood

144.5 mi in | ~3h 8m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
North Valley Highway 60.6 mi 1h 5m
I 70 55.1 mi 1h 6m
US 40 47.4 mi 1h
Colorado River Headwaters Scenic Byway 30.6 mi 40m
West 6th Avenue Freeway 7.9 mi 9m
Monument Valley Freeway 5.9 mi 6m
CO 9 5.6 mi 9m
Lincoln Avenue 4.3 mi 7m
Longest stretch: North Valley Highway — 60.6 mi, about 1h 5m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Steamboat Springs, CO and Colorado Springs, CO.

1

Start on this road

236 ft · 19 sec · this road
2

Turn right onto 5th Street

202 ft · 13 sec · 5th Street
3

Turn left onto US 40

4.3 mi · 7 min · Lincoln Avenue
4

Continue on US 40

0.6 mi · 50 sec · US 40
5

Continue on US 40

47 mi · 1 hr · US 40
6

Turn right onto CO 9

0.3 mi · 34 sec · South 6th Street
Use the right lane.
7

Continue on CO 9

1.1 mi · 2 min · Tyler Avenue
8

Continue on CO 9

31 mi · 40 min · Colorado River Headwaters Scenic Byway
9

Continue on CO 9

5.3 mi · 9 min · CO 9
Use the straight lane.
10

Continue on US 6

0.1 mi · 25 sec · US 6
11

Take the exit onto CO 9

0.3 mi · 24 sec · CO 9
Toward I 70 East Use the left lane.
12

Merge onto I 70

55 mi · 1 hr 6 min · I 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 43 sec
Exit 261 Toward US 6 East: 6th Avenue, Lakewood Use the slight right lane.
14

Merge onto US 6

7.9 mi · 9 min · West 6th Avenue Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Take the exit onto US 6

0.6 mi · 59 sec · US 6
Toward I 25: Fort Collins, Colorado Springs Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward I 25 South: Colorado Springs
17

Merge onto I 25

61 mi · 1 hr 5 min · North Valley Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Continue on I 25

5.9 mi · 6 min · Monument Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 30 sec
Exit 142 Toward Bijou Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Keep slight left at fork

495 ft · 14 sec
Toward I 25: Downtown Use the straight / left lanes.
21

Turn left onto West Bijou Street

0.2 mi · 26 sec · West Bijou Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
22

Continue on West Kiowa Street

0.2 mi · 35 sec · West Kiowa Street
23

Continue on East Kiowa Street

0.3 mi · 1 min · East Kiowa Street
24

Turn right onto North Weber Street

490 ft · 17 sec · North Weber Street
25

Turn right onto East Pikes Peak Avenue

422 ft · 14 sec · East Pikes Peak Avenue
26

Arrive at destination

East Pikes Peak Avenue

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 110.8 miles from Steamboat Springs, CO, or about 2h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 60.6 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 80 miles or 1h 47m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 110.8 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 50m

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 Steamboat 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 Steamboat Springs, CO

This is one driving day of about 221.6 miles and 4h 36m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Steamboat Springs, 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 North Valley Highway for about 60.6 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 110.8 mi from Steamboat Springs, CO · 2h 27m into the drive

Downtown Boulder, CO, CO

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Boulder, CO

111 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.

Popular next leg

Boulder, CO to Colorado Springs, CO

97.3 mi · 1h 36m

Pacing Suggestions

Aspen, CO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Boulder, CO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 110.8 miles from Steamboat Springs, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before North Valley Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 60.6 miles.

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

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 213.9
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$33.58 one way

$67.16 round trip

$3.85/gal 25.4 MPG avg 78 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.08 $35.63 $71.26
premium $4.43 $38.68 $77.35
diesel $5.64 $49.23 $98.46

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$34

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$59–$84

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 77.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

EV Charging Along Route

23 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Outlets At Silverthorne - Tesla Supercharger

Silverthorne, CO

Tesla

12 DCFC

AC Hotel - Tesla Supercharger

Frisco, CO

Tesla

12 DCFC

Idaho Springs, CO

Idaho Springs, CO

RIVIAN_ADVENTURE

10 DCFC

Kum & Go #0909 - Tesla Supercharger

Kremmling, CO

Tesla

8 DCFC

Kum & Go - Tesla Supercharger

Silverthorne, CO

Tesla

8 DCFC

Kum & Go - Tesla Supercharger

Idaho Springs, CO

Tesla

8 DCFC

2001 Colorado Boulevard

Idaho Springs, CO

LOOP

6 DCFC

910 Yampa St

Steamboat Springs, CO

LOOP

4 DCFC

ChargePoint Network: 14 Tesla: 5 LOOP: 2 Electrify America: 1 RIVIAN_ADVENTURE: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 66.5 0 $23.27 $10.64
Efficient EV 55.4 0 $19.39 $8.86
EV Truck/SUV 88.6 1 $31.02 $14.18

Gas CO2

78 kg

EV CO2

26 kg (67% 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.

Forecast data refreshed 58 minutes ago

Origin

Steamboat Springs, CO

Afternoon in Steamboat Springs on Monday

Local time

2:44 PM

MDT

Current temp

28°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Colorado Springs, CO

Afternoon in Colorado Springs on Monday

Local time

2:44 PM

MDT

Current temp

73°F

Mostly Sunny

SSW 15 to 20 mph 4% chance 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

45 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

4h 36m 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 Steamboat Springs, CO to Colorado Springs, CO covers 221.6 miles and takes about 4h 36m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are North Valley Highway, I 70, US 40. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 110.8 miles from Steamboat Springs, CO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $33.58 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 is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 221.6 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 89.2 miles (CO 9): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 144.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 152.7 miles (US 6): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Steamboat Springs, CO to Colorado Springs, CO, road signs begin pointing toward Lakewood along the way.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Colorado Springs, CO to Steamboat Springs, CO

Plan the drive back the other way.

221.7 mi 4h 36m

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