Colorado Springs to Parachute is 264.8 miles and takes about 4h 58m via I 70, with a fuel budget near $43 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays entirely within Colorado, moving from the Mountain West region to another part of the same region. Given its relatively short duration and mostly highway profile, this is a straightforward drive. You'll spend most of your time on I 70, making it a practical option if you're looking for a direct connection between these two points.
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
132.4 miles from Colorado Springs, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 29m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 70
186.6 mi
3h 28m
Ronald Reagan Highway
60.9 mi
1h 5m
West 6th Avenue Freeway
7.6 mi
9m
Monument Valley Freeway
5.7 mi
6m
Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
0.9 mi
1m
East 1st Street
0.4 mi
<1m
West Bijou Street
0.2 mi
<1m
East Pikes Peak Avenue
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 70
— 186.6 mi, about 3h 28m
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 Colorado Springs, CO and Parachute, CO.
1
Start on East Pikes Peak Avenue
0.2 mi·47 sec·East Pikes Peak Avenue
2
Turn right onto North Cascade Avenue
0.2 mi·42 sec·North Cascade Avenue
3
Turn left onto West Bijou Street
0.2 mi·26 sec·West Bijou Street
Use the left lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·51 sec
Toward I 25
5
Merge onto I 25
5.7 mi·6 min·Monument Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 25
61 mi·1 hr 5 min·Ronald Reagan Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 209A-BToward US 6 West: 6th AvenueUse the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·53 sec
Exit 209BToward US 6 West: 6th Avenue, LakewoodUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on US 6
0.9 mi·1 min·Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
10
Keep slight left at fork onto US 6
0.1 mi·10 sec·US 6
Toward US 6
11
Merge onto US 6
7.6 mi·9 min·West 6th Avenue Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.7 mi·55 sec
Toward I 70 West: Grand JunctionUse the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto I 70
187 mi·3 hr 28 min·I 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·35 sec
Toward Parachute, Battlement MesaUse the slight right lane.
15
Turn right onto CR 215
385 ft·14 sec·Veterans Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Turn left onto US 6
0.4 mi·51 sec·East 1st Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
17
Arrive at destination
US 6
Trip Plan
For this 4h 58m drive, starting in the morning will give you plenty of time to reach Parachute well before evening. Since it's a single-day trip, you have flexibility with stops. The longest stretch without a significant break is 186.6 miles on I 70, so plan a fuel or rest stop before you get too low, especially given the estimated $43 fuel cost. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as services can be more spread out on the interstate sections, particularly as you move west.
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 132.4 miles from Colorado Springs, CO, or about 2h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 186.6 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 58 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 132.4 miles or 2h 29m 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 4m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Parachute, CO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Colorado Springs, 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 Colorado Springs, CO
This is one driving day of about 264.8 miles and 4h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Colorado Springs, 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 186.6 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 0.4 and 264.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.4 mi into trip|~1m in|West Bijou Street
Turn left onto West Bijou Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
67.6 mi into trip|~1h 14m in
Take the exit toward US 6 West: 6th Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 209A-B
Toward US 6 West: 6th Avenue
9
67.8 mi into trip|~1h 15m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 6 West: 6th Avenue, Lakewood
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 209B
Toward US 6 West: 6th Avenue, Lakewood
7
264.1 mi into trip|~4h 56m in
Take the exit toward Parachute, Battlement Mesa
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Parachute, Battlement Mesa
7
264.3 mi into trip|~4h 57m in|CR 215 / Veterans Boulevard
Turn right onto CR 215 / Veterans Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$45.35 one way
$90.70 round trip
$4.35/gal25.4 MPG avg93 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.59
$47.85
$95.70
premium
$4.93
$51.41
$102.81
diesel
$5.35
$55.77
$111.55
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
79.4
0
$27.80
$12.71
Efficient EV
66.2
0
$23.17
$10.59
EV Truck/SUV
105.9
1
$37.07
$16.95
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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Colorado Springs, CO
Afternoon
in Colorado Springs on Wednesday
Local time
1:06 PM
MDT
Current temp
80°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SE 10 mph14% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued June 1 at 1:50PM MDT until June 1 at 2:15PM MDT by NWS Denver CO
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued June 1 at 1:50PM MDT until June 1 at 2:30PM MDT by NWS Pueblo CO
Destination
Parachute, CO
Afternoon
in Parachute on Wednesday
Local time
1:06 PM
MDT
Current temp
85°F
Sunny
WSW 10 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued June 1 at 1:50PM MDT until June 1 at 2:15PM MDT by NWS Denver CO
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued June 1 at 1:50PM MDT until June 1 at 2:30PM MDT by NWS Pueblo CO
65°F
Alma, CO
132 mi in
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
5 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
4h 58m 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 18.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway, with 76% of the drive on major roads like I 70. You'll experience a longest stretch of 186.6 miles on I 70, which means extended periods of consistent cruising. The transition from highway to surface roads will occur later in your drive, with the final leg likely involving fewer exits and more rural stretches. Expect a significant amount of time on high-speed interstate.
76% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 186.6 mi on I 70.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 70 and Ronald Reagan Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near West Bijou Street.
Driving Effort8/10
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 264.8 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 0.4 miles (West Bijou Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 67.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 67.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mountain driving with significant elevation changes
10,067 ft5,100 ft
Total Climb
5,725 ft
Total Descent
6,633 ft
Highest Point
10,067 ft
~151.3 mi in
Elevation Range
4,967 ft
Notable High Points
6,986 ft at ~18.9 miles+638 ft prominence
9,270 ft at ~113.5 miles+420 ft prominence
10,067 ft at ~151.3 miles+1,217 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 Colorado Springs, CO to Parachute, 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 4h 58m. Total distance: 264.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 58m 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 186.6 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 Parachute, 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 0.4 miles (West Bijou Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 67.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 67.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Possible but tiring. At 5.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Parachute, CO, but most travelers stay overnight.
