Traveling from Arvada to Fort Carson covers 87.2 miles and typically takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes of driving time. Because this journey is relatively short, it is easily manageable as a single-day round trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking overnight accommodations. Budgeting around $13 for fuel should be sufficient to cover the distance given current estimates. Both your starting point in Arvada and your destination at Fort Carson are situated within the Mountain West region. This route is a straightforward practical connection rather than a long-haul excursion, making it a reliable option for travelers who prefer to keep their time behind the wheel under two hours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
43.6 miles from Arvada, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 52m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
North Valley Highway
64.9 mi
1h 11m
Monument Valley Freeway
7.8 mi
9m
South Nevada Avenue
5.4 mi
8m
I 70
3 mi
4m
Ralston Road
1.8 mi
3m
Sheridan Boulevard
1.1 mi
2m
Nelson Boulevard
0.9 mi
2m
Wetzel Avenue
0.4 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
North Valley Highway
— 64.9 mi, about 1h 11m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arvada, CO and Fort Carson, CO.
1
Start on this road
41 ft·5 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto Ammons Street
58 ft·7 sec·Ammons Street
3
Turn left
313 ft·25 sec
4
At end of road, turn right onto Allison Street
172 ft·13 sec·Allison Street
5
Turn left onto Ralston Road
1.8 mi·3 min·Ralston Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
6
Turn right onto CO 95
1.1 mi·2 min·Sheridan Boulevard
Use the right lane.
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward I 70 EastUse the right lane.
8
Merge onto I 70
3.0 mi·4 min·I 70
Use the right lane.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·19 sec
Exit 274Toward I 25: Fort Collins, Colorado SpringsUse the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·14 sec
Toward I 25 South: Washington Street, Colorado SpringsUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward I 25 South: Colorado SpringsUse the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto Grand Army of the Republic Highway
0.2 mi·11 sec·Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Toward I 25 South
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward I 25 South: Colorado Springs
14
Merge onto I 25
65 mi·1 hr 11 min·North Valley Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 25
7.8 mi·9 min·Monument Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 140Toward CO 115 South: Tejon Street, Nevada AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn right onto CO 115
5.4 mi·8 min·South Nevada Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Turn left onto Nelson Boulevard
0.1 mi·29 sec·Nelson Boulevard
Use the left lane.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto Nelson Boulevard
102 ft·2 sec·Nelson Boulevard
20
Keep slight left at fork onto Nelson Boulevard
0.1 mi·17 sec·Nelson Boulevard
21
Enter roundabout onto Nelson Boulevard
142 ft·3 sec·Nelson Boulevard
22
Continue on Nelson Boulevard
0.5 mi·1 min·Nelson Boulevard
23
Turn right onto Wetzel Avenue
0.4 mi·1 min·Wetzel Avenue
24
Turn left onto Prussman Avenue
42 ft·1 sec·Prussman Avenue
25
Arrive at destination
Prussman Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick 1 hour and 45 minute trip, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time to avoid potential traffic congestion. You won't need to plan for any formal stops along the way, as the distance is short enough to drive straight through in one go. Keep a close eye on your navigation as you transition onto South Nevada Avenue, as the local road segments require more attention than the open highway stretches. Because fuel costs are estimated at just $13, you can easily fill up before you leave Arvada and reach Fort Carson without needing to worry about refueling mid-trip. Use the lack of required stops to your advantage by planning your arrival time around your specific commitments at the base.
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 43.6 miles from Arvada, CO, or about 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 64.9 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 19 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 43.6 miles or 52m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fort Carson, CO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Arvada, CO so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Arvada, CO
This is one driving day of about 87.2 miles and 1h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Arvada, CO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on North Valley Highway for about 64.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 80 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Allison Street
At end of road, turn right onto Allison Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
8
6.3 mi into trip|~11m in
Take the exit 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 slight right lane.
Exit 274
Toward I 25: Fort Collins, Colorado Springs
9
6.5 mi into trip|~11m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 25 South: Washington Street, Colorado Springs
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 25 South: Washington Street, Colorado...
8
6.7 mi into trip|~11m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 25 South: Colorado Springs
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 25 South: Colorado Springs
8
80 mi into trip|~1h 32m in
Take the exit toward CO 115 South: Tejon Street, Nevada Avenue
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.
Exit 140
Toward CO 115 South: Tejon Street, Nevada Avenu...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.14 one way
$26.28 round trip
$3.83/gal25.4 MPG avg31 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.05
$13.91
$27.82
premium
$4.39
$15.08
$30.17
diesel
$5.61
$19.25
$38.51
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
26.2
0
$9.16
$4.19
Efficient EV
21.8
0
$7.63
$3.49
EV Truck/SUV
34.9
0
$12.21
$5.58
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (68% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 19, 2026
Origin
Arvada, CO
Late night
in Arvada on Tuesday
Local time
2:07 AM
MDT
Current temp
35°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Fort Carson, CO
Late night
in Fort Carson on Tuesday
Local time
2:07 AM
MDT
Current temp
33°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
2 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
1h 45m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that balances highway efficiency with more technical navigation. Only 12% of your trip is spent on highways, meaning you will spend the majority of your time navigating local roads as you transition between the two locations. You will spend the longest uninterrupted stretch of the journey—64.9 miles—traveling along the North Valley Highway. As you progress toward your destination, you will utilize the Monument Valley Freeway before finishing the final leg on South Nevada Avenue. Be prepared for a shift in pace, as the transition from high-speed highway segments to local maneuvering defines the personality of this route.
Only 12% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 64.9 mi on North Valley Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 around 0.1 miles in near Allison Street.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 87.2 miles you will encounter 21 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 (Allison Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 6.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Arvada, CO to Fort Carson, CO, road signs begin pointing toward Colorado Springs along the way.
Arvada is a city of about 125,000 in the Denver Metropolitan Area of the U.S. state of Colorado. A former farming community in Jefferson and Adams counties, the city is now a residential suburb of Denver. Olde Town Arvada lies 7 miles (11 km) northwest of the Colorado State Capitol and 9 miles (14 km) east of the Front Range foothills.
Top landmarks
•Arvada Flour Mill — historic mill in Arvada, Colorado, USA
•Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities — art center in Arvada, Colorado
Colorado Springs is a city of about 490,000 in the western U.S. state of Colorado. The seat of El Paso County, the city lies 63 miles (101 km) south of Denver at the foot of Pikes Peak in South Central Colorado.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 45m. Total distance: 87.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 64.9 miles on North Valley Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Fort Carson, CO before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Allison Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 6.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Fort Carson, CO before heading back.
