Spanning 94 miles, this direct route from Broomfield to Fort Carson is a straightforward trek through the Mountain West. You should anticipate a travel time of approximately 1 hour and 52 minutes, making this an ideal candidate for a single-day trip. With a fuel cost estimated at $14, it is an affordable journey that stays entirely within Colorado. You will navigate a mix of thoroughfares, including the North Valley Highway, the Denver–Boulder Turnpike, and the Monument Valley Freeway. Because the distance is relatively short, you won't need to worry about overnight logistics or mid-route lodging. It is a practical, utilitarian drive that gets you from the northern suburbs to the southern military installation efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
47 miles from Broomfield, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 55m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
North Valley Highway
68.1 mi
1h 15m
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
8.7 mi
10m
Monument Valley Freeway
7.8 mi
9m
South Nevada Avenue
5.4 mi
8m
Nelson Boulevard
0.9 mi
2m
CO 121
0.4 mi
1m
Wetzel Avenue
0.4 mi
1m
I 25
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
North Valley Highway
— 68.1 mi, about 1h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Broomfield, CO and Fort Carson, CO.
1
Start on this road
192 ft·16 sec·this road
2
At end of road, turn right onto West 3rd Avenue
273 ft·19 sec·West 3rd Avenue
3
Turn left onto Nickel Street
0.2 mi·26 sec·Nickel Street
4
Turn right onto US 287
140 ft·3 sec·US 287
5
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·45 sec
Toward CO 121 South
6
Turn straight onto CO 121
0.4 mi·1 min·CO 121
7
Turn left
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward US 36 East: DenverUse the left lane.
8
Merge onto US 36
1.2 mi·1 min·Denver–Boulder Turnpike
9
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
1.9 mi·2 min·Denver–Boulder Turnpike
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
2.5 mi·2 min·Denver–Boulder Turnpike
11
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
2.0 mi·2 min·Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
1.1 mi·1 min·Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Toward I 25: Denver, Fort CollinsUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.5 mi·47 sec
Toward I 25 south: DenverUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 25
0.4 mi·33 sec·I 25
Toward I 25 south: Denver
15
Merge onto I 25; US 87
68 mi·1 hr 15 min·North Valley Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on I 25
7.8 mi·9 min·Monument Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 140Toward CO 115 South: Tejon Street, Nevada AvenueUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Turn right onto CO 115
5.4 mi·8 min·South Nevada Avenue
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Turn left onto Nelson Boulevard
0.1 mi·29 sec·Nelson Boulevard
Use the left lane.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto Nelson Boulevard
102 ft·2 sec·Nelson Boulevard
21
Keep slight left at fork onto Nelson Boulevard
0.1 mi·17 sec·Nelson Boulevard
22
Enter roundabout onto Nelson Boulevard
142 ft·3 sec·Nelson Boulevard
23
Continue on Nelson Boulevard
0.5 mi·1 min·Nelson Boulevard
24
Turn right onto Wetzel Avenue
0.4 mi·1 min·Wetzel Avenue
25
Turn left onto Prussman Avenue
42 ft·1 sec·Prussman Avenue
26
Arrive at destination
Prussman Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a sub-two-hour drive, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around local traffic patterns. You do not need to schedule formal stops, as the 94-mile distance is easily manageable in one continuous push. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before you head out, as the $14 estimate provides a good baseline for your budget. If you are heading out during peak hours, remember that the heavy reliance on local roads means you should account for potential congestion. Given the turn-heavy nature of the route, stay alert for navigation changes as you transition between the North Valley Highway and the Monument Valley Freeway.
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 47 miles from Broomfield, CO, or about 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 68.1 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 21 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 47 miles or 55m 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 28m
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 Broomfield, CO so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Broomfield, CO
This is one driving day of about 94 miles and 1h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Broomfield, 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 68.1 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 86.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip|~0m in|West 3rd Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto West 3rd Avenue
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
6
0.3 mi into trip|~1m in
Keep slight left at fork toward CO 121 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward CO 121 South
7
1 mi into trip|~2m in
Turn left toward US 36 East: Denver
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward US 36 East: Denver
8
8.9 mi into trip|~12m in|US 36 / Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36 / Denver–Boulder Turnpike toward I 25: Denver, Fort Collins
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 25: Denver, Fort Collins
8
86.8 mi into trip|~1h 39m 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
$14.16 one way
$28.33 round trip
$3.83/gal25.4 MPG avg33 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.05
$15.00
$29.99
premium
$4.39
$16.26
$32.52
diesel
$5.61
$20.75
$41.51
Estimated Tolls: $0.61
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
(8.7 mi)$0.61
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 32.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
28.2
0
$9.87
$4.51
Efficient EV
23.5
0
$8.23
$3.76
EV Truck/SUV
37.6
0
$13.16
$6.02
Gas CO2
33 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (67% 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 15, 2026
Origin
Broomfield, CO
Night
in Broomfield on Saturday
Local time
10:37 PM
MDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Fort Carson, CO
Night
in Fort Carson on Saturday
Local time
10:37 PM
MDT
Current temp
45°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
30 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 52m 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.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your attention as you navigate through the region. Only 18% of this trip consists of highway driving, meaning you will spend the bulk of your time on local roads rather than high-speed interstates. The most significant portion of your time behind the wheel will be spent on the North Valley Highway, which covers a 68.1-mile stretch. You will experience a transition from the turn-heavy local segments into the flow of the Monument Valley Freeway. This route lacks the monotony of a long-haul interstate cruise, instead offering a more varied driving experience that keeps you engaged with the changing road layout.
Only 18% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 68.1 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 early in the drive near West 3rd Avenue.
Driving Effort10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 94 miles you will encounter 20 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: near the start (West 3rd Avenue): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 1 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
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 Broomfield, CO to Fort Carson, CO, road signs begin pointing toward Fort Collins along the way.
Broomfield is a combined city and county of about 77,000 in the Denver Metropolitan Area of the western U.S. state of Colorado. Broomfield lies 14 miles (23 km) northwest of Denver and 12 miles (19 km) southeast of Boulder. The only other combined city and county in Colorado is the City and County of Denver, the state capital.
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 52m. Total distance: 94 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 68.1 miles on North Valley Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.61 in tolls one way, starting with Denver–Boulder Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
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: near the start (West 3rd Avenue): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 1 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Fort Carson, CO before heading back.
