Road Trips from Colorado Springs, CO
Planning a quick escape from Colorado Springs? You've got options ranging from under two hours to a solid half-day drive, with plenty of park access along the way. Whether you're looking for a short hop with high-altitude terrain or a longer haul with a higher drive score, these routes offer a variety of experiences. Most are day trips, but the scenery and terrain make them worthwhile.
Total Routes
24
Shortest
1h
With Parks Nearby
24
Under 2 hours
8 total in this range
Keenesburg, CO
1h 56m109.4 mi one way
This drive is one of the shorter options at 109 miles and 1.9 hours, featuring mostly surface roads. It offers high-altitude terrain with climbs, and Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument is nearby for park access. It's a solid choice if you want a moderate distance with park proximity.
Kittredge, CO
1h 41m83.9 mi one way
At 83.9 miles and 1.7 hours, this route is a bit closer than Keenesburg, utilizing mixed highway and surface roads. Like many Colorado Springs departures, it includes high-altitude sections with climbs and offers access to Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument. It's a good blend of distance and terrain.
Byers, CO
1h 47m100.3 mi one way
This 100.3-mile drive takes 1.8 hours and sticks mostly to surface roads. Expect high-altitude terrain with climbs, and Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument is accessible. It’s a comparable option to Keenesburg and Niwot in terms of distance and road type.
Lafayette, CO
1h 47m90.5 mi one way
This 90.5-mile trip takes 1.8 hours and is primarily on surface roads. It offers high-altitude terrain with climbs, and Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument is a nearby park option. It's a good mid-range choice in terms of distance from the city.
Lochbuie, CO
1h 43m95.9 mi one way
Full-day getaway
10 total in this range
Brush, CO
2h 47m160.4 mi one way
At 160.4 miles and 2.8 hours, this drive has a higher drive score of 10. The route uses mixed highway and surface roads and includes high-altitude sections with notable climbs. Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument is accessible for park exploration.
Yuma, CO
3h 49m211.6 mi one way
This is one of the longer day trips, covering 211.6 miles in 3.8 hours with a drive score of 10. The profile is mixed highway and surface roads, with high-altitude sections and climbs. Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument is within reach.
Estes Park, CO
2h 51m133.3 mi one way
Covering 133.3 miles and taking 2.9 hours, this route is mostly surface roads. It boasts access to Rocky Mountain National Park, in addition to Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument. The terrain includes high-altitude sections with climbs, making it a scenic choice.
Niwot, CO
2h 2m103.6 mi one way
This 103.6-mile drive will take you 2 hours on mostly surface roads. It features high-altitude sections with climbs, and Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument is nearby. It's a solid option if you're looking for a route comparable to Keenesburg or Byers.
Pierce, CO
2h 48m146.5 mi one way
At 146.5 miles and 2.8 hours, this route uses mostly surface roads and has a drive score of 9. You'll encounter high-altitude terrain with climbs, and Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument is accessible for park visits.
Weekend trip
6 total in this range
Rangely, CO
7h 14m342.7 mi one way
This longest option at 342.7 miles takes 7.2 hours and is mostly highway. It includes Dinosaur National Monument and Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument. The terrain is mountain driving with significant elevation changes, suitable for a dedicated road trip.
Julesburg, CO
4h 21m253 mi one way
At 253 miles and 4.4 hours, this is a longer drive with a drive score of 10, mostly on highway. You'll encounter high-altitude sections with notable climbs. Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument is the park option available along this route.
Craig, CO
5h 27m263.4 mi one way
Loma, CO
6h 1m325.4 mi one way
Fruita, CO
5h 57m320.3 mi one way
Browse by Mood
Rangely, CO
7h 14m342.7 mi one way
Brush, CO
2h 47m160.4 mi one way
Yuma, CO
3h 49m211.6 mi one way
Julesburg, CO
4h 21m253 mi one way
When to Go
Spring
The high-altitude terrain and nearby parks like Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument are accessible, though mountain passes may still have variable conditions.
Summer
All routes are open, offering access to parks like Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument and Rocky Mountain National Park, with high-altitude terrain providing cooler temperatures.
Fall
Expect vibrant foliage in high-altitude sections. Parks like Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument remain accessible, but check conditions for higher elevations.
Winter
High-altitude sections and mountain driving may present challenging conditions. Park access, particularly to higher elevation areas, could be limited.
Starting Somewhere Else?
Other nearby cities with their own escape planners.
Ready to plan?
Pick any destination above for full turn-by-turn directions, fuel cost, rest stops, and weather. Or visit the Colorado Springs, CO city hub for all incoming and outgoing routes.