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Trip from Battlement Mesa, CO to Colorado Springs, CO

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 4m

Distance

266.8 mi

429 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$40

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 51m ★
6 AM
5h 4m
8 AM
5h 31m
10 AM
5h 14m
12 PM
5h 11m
3 PM
5h 15m
5 PM
5h 30m
8 PM
4h 56m

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

Downtown Battlement Mesa, CO, CO

Battlement Mesa, CO

Order Luck

Trip Overview

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

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 261 Toward US 6 East: 6th Avenue, Lakewood Use 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 Springs Use 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 142 Toward Bijou Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Keep slight left at fork

495 ft · 14 sec
Toward I 25: Downtown Use 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.

city in and county seat of Boulder County, Colorado, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Boulder, CO

133 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

Eagle, CO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 59 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Boulder, CO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 133.4 miles from Battlement Mesa, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 70 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 187 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

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

$40.20 one way

$80.40 round trip

$3.83/gal 25.4 MPG avg 93 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.05 $42.56 $85.12
premium $4.39 $46.15 $92.31
diesel $5.61 $58.91 $117.81

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$40

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$65–$90

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, 2026-04-13.

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 Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Battlement Mesa, CO

Night in Battlement Mesa on Saturday

Local time

10:42 PM

MDT

Current temp

42°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Colorado Springs, CO

Night in Colorado Springs on Saturday

Local time

10:42 PM

MDT

Current temp

44°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 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

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
View on nps.gov

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

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 Effort 7/10

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.

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.

Lakewood

189.8 mi in | ~3h 36m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

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.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

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.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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