This 266.8-mile drive from Battlement Mesa, CO, to Colorado Springs, CO, is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can comfortably be completed in about 5 hours. With 76% of the route on main highways, it's an efficient way to travel between these two points within the Mountain West region. The estimated fuel cost is around $40, making it an economical option for a single-day trip. Since it's a relatively short drive with only one recommended stop, you'll have plenty of flexibility to depart when it suits you best.
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
133.4 miles from Battlement Mesa, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 32m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 70
187 mi
3h 31m
North Valley Highway
60.6 mi
1h 5m
West 6th Avenue Freeway
7.9 mi
9m
Monument Valley Freeway
5.9 mi
6m
South Battlement Parkway
1.8 mi
3m
North Battlement Parkway
0.8 mi
1m
US 6
0.6 mi
<1m
East Kiowa Street
0.3 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 70
— 187 mi, about 3h 31m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,405 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,990
Quietest
2 AM
~79 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Battlement Mesa, CO and Colorado Springs, CO.
1
Start on CR 300S
1.8 mi·3 min·South Battlement Parkway
2
Turn left onto CR 300N
0.8 mi·1 min·North Battlement Parkway
Use the left lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·29 sec
4
Merge onto I 70
187 mi·3 hr 31 min·I 70
Use the straight lane.
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Exit 261Toward US 6 East: 6th Avenue, LakewoodUse the slight right lane.
6
Merge onto US 6
7.9 mi·9 min·West 6th Avenue Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit onto US 6
0.6 mi·59 sec·US 6
Toward I 25: Fort Collins, Colorado SpringsUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 25 South: Colorado Springs
9
Merge onto I 25
61 mi·1 hr 5 min·North Valley Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 25
5.9 mi·6 min·Monument Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 142Toward Bijou StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
495 ft·14 sec
Toward I 25: DowntownUse the straight / left lanes.
13
Turn left onto West Bijou Street
0.2 mi·26 sec·West Bijou Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
14
Continue on West Kiowa Street
0.2 mi·35 sec·West Kiowa Street
15
Continue on East Kiowa Street
0.3 mi·1 min·East Kiowa Street
16
Turn right onto North Weber Street
490 ft·17 sec·North Weber Street
17
Turn right onto East Pikes Peak Avenue
422 ft·14 sec·East Pikes Peak Avenue
18
Arrive at destination
East Pikes Peak Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour duration, this trip is ideal for a single-day adventure, allowing you to depart from Battlement Mesa at your leisure. Plan for one stop to break up the 266.8 miles, perhaps around the halfway point to stretch your legs. The longest continuous stretch on I 70 is substantial, so ensure you're fueled up before you begin the longest segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you approach the less populated areas between major towns, as services can be spread out on this route.
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 133.4 miles from Battlement Mesa, CO, or about 2h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 187 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 59 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 133.4 miles or 2h 32m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 10m
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 Battlement Mesa, 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 Battlement Mesa, CO
This is one driving day of about 266.8 miles and 5h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Battlement Mesa, 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 I 70 for about 187 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.8 and 265.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.8 mi into trip|~3m in|CR 300N / North Battlement Parkway
Turn left onto CR 300N / North Battlement Parkway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
189.8 mi into trip|~3h 36m 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
198 mi into trip|~3h 46m 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
265.7 mi into trip|~5h 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
265.9 mi into trip|~5h 1m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.68 one way
$81.36 round trip
$3.87/gal25.4 MPG avg93 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$43.24
$86.49
premium
$4.45
$46.77
$93.55
diesel
$4.80
$50.38
$100.75
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
80
0
$28.01
$12.81
Efficient EV
66.7
0
$23.35
$10.67
EV Truck/SUV
106.7
1
$37.35
$17.08
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 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 as of Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Battlement Mesa, CO
Late night
in Battlement Mesa on Sunday
Local time
2:22 AM
MDT
Current temp
61°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
0 mph18% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 12:00PM MDT until July 20 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Denver CO
Destination
Colorado Springs, CO
Late night
in Colorado Springs on Sunday
Local time
2:22 AM
MDT
Current temp
62°F
Mostly Clear
WNW 0 to 5 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 17 at 12:00PM MDT until July 20 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Denver CO
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
1 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
5h 4m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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 248.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway experience on this route, with 76% of the drive utilizing main roads like I 70. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 187 miles on I 70, meaning you can cover significant ground efficiently. While the profile is highway-focused, this doesn't necessarily mean it's monotonous; shifts in elevation and landscape are common across Colorado's varied terrain. Be prepared for a mix of faster-paced driving and potentially some slower sections as you navigate through different stretches of highway.
76% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 187 mi on I 70.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 70 and North Valley Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.8 miles in near CR 300N / North Battlement Parkway.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 266.8 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 1.8 miles (CR 300N / North Battlement Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 189.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 198 miles (US 6): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mountain driving with significant elevation changes
9,688 ft5,325 ft
Total Climb
6,087 ft
Total Descent
5,578 ft
Highest Point
9,688 ft
~114.3 mi in
Elevation Range
4,363 ft
Notable High Points
9,688 ft at ~114.3 miles+698 ft prominence
9,459 ft at ~152.5 miles+468 ft prominence
6,983 ft at ~247.8 miles+638 ft prominence
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 Battlement Mesa, CO to Colorado Springs, CO, road signs begin pointing toward Lakewood along the way.
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.
Top landmarks
•United States Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel — chapel in Colorado, USA
•Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun — commemorative tower and chapel in Colorado Springs, Colorado
•St. Mary's Cathedral — cathedral in Colorado Springs, United States of America
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 4m. Total distance: 266.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (76%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 187 miles on I 70. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 11 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Colorado Springs, CO before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 11 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.8 miles (CR 300N / North Battlement Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 189.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 198 miles (US 6): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Colorado Springs, CO before the return drive.
