Stretching 133.4 miles from Estes Park to Colorado Springs, this trip typically takes about 2 hours and 51 minutes of driving time. Because the route remains entirely within the Mountain West region of Colorado, you can easily complete the journey in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to budget roughly $20 for fuel to cover the distance between these two hubs. By navigating a combination of the North Valley Highway, the Denver–Boulder Turnpike, and the North Foothills Highway, you get a direct path between these popular destinations. While the drive is straightforward enough for a day trip, planning for one scheduled stop will help you break up the travel time comfortably.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
66.7 miles from Estes Park, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 35m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
North Valley Highway
68.1 mi
1h 15m
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
19.7 mi
23m
North Foothills Highway
12.2 mi
15m
East Highway 36
12 mi
19m
North Saint Vrain Avenue
7.5 mi
13m
Monument Valley Freeway
5.9 mi
6m
28th Street
3.3 mi
6m
Ute Highway
1 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
North Valley Highway
— 68.1 mi, about 1h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Estes Park, CO and Colorado Springs, CO.
1
Start on Park Lane
219 ft·14 sec·Park Lane
2
Turn left onto US 36; US 34 Business
0.2 mi·38 sec·East Elkhorn Avenue
3
Take the ramp
139 ft·3 sec
Toward US 36, CO 7
4
Continue on this road
389 ft·10 sec·this road
Toward US 36, CO 7
5
Merge onto US 36
0.9 mi·1 min·North Saint Vrain Avenue
Use the straight lane.
6
Enter roundabout onto US 36
141 ft·2 sec·North Saint Vrain Avenue
7
Continue on US 36
0.5 mi·50 sec·North Saint Vrain Avenue
8
Continue on US 36
12 mi·19 min·East Highway 36
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on US 36
6.1 mi·10 min·North Saint Vrain Avenue
10
Continue on US 36
0.7 mi·1 min·West Main Street
Use the straight lane.
11
Turn left onto US 36
0.3 mi·50 sec·Broadway
Use the left / straight lanes.
12
Merge onto US 36
0.2 mi·33 sec·Main Street
13
Continue on US 36
1.0 mi·1 min·Ute Highway
Use the straight lane.
14
Take the exit onto US 36
198 ft·6 sec·US 36
15
Merge onto US 36
12 mi·15 min·North Foothills Highway
Use the straight lane.
16
Turn sharp right onto Jay Road
84 ft·10 sec·Jay Road
17
Take the ramp
128 ft·3 sec
18
Merge onto US 36
3.3 mi·6 min·28th Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
19
Turn straight onto US 36
3.4 mi·4 min·Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
1.7 mi·1 min·Denver–Boulder Turnpike
21
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
2.6 mi·3 min·Denver–Boulder Turnpike
22
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
2.4 mi·2 min·Denver–Boulder Turnpike
23
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
2.2 mi·2 min·Denver–Boulder Turnpike
24
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
1.9 mi·2 min·Denver–Boulder Turnpike
25
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
2.5 mi·2 min·Denver–Boulder Turnpike
26
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36
2.0 mi·2 min·Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
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.
28
Take the exit
0.5 mi·47 sec
Toward I 25 south: DenverUse the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Continue on I 25
0.4 mi·33 sec·I 25
Toward I 25 south: Denver
30
Merge onto I 25; US 87
68 mi·1 hr 15 min·North Valley Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Continue on I 25
5.9 mi·6 min·Monument Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 142Toward Bijou StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Keep slight left at fork
495 ft·14 sec
Toward I 25: DowntownUse the straight / left lanes.
34
Turn left onto West Bijou Street
0.2 mi·26 sec·West Bijou Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
35
Continue on West Kiowa Street
0.2 mi·35 sec·West Kiowa Street
36
Continue on East Kiowa Street
0.3 mi·1 min·East Kiowa Street
37
Turn right onto North Weber Street
490 ft·17 sec·North Weber Street
38
Turn right onto East Pikes Peak Avenue
422 ft·14 sec·East Pikes Peak Avenue
39
Arrive at destination
East Pikes Peak Avenue
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 2-hour and 51-minute transit, aim to leave during off-peak hours to avoid potential congestion on the main highways. Since the route involves a blend of local and highway driving, keep your $20 fuel budget in mind and top off your tank before departing Estes Park. You should plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs, especially given the turn-heavy nature of the local road segments. The flexibility of this shorter trip allows you to adjust your pace as needed throughout the day. Pay close attention to signage on the North Valley Highway, as that 68.1-mile stretch is your best opportunity to maintain steady momentum before reaching the final leg of your trip.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 66.7 miles from Estes Park, CO, or about 1h 35m 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 29 miles or 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 66.7 miles or 1h 35m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 22m
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 Estes Park, 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 Estes Park, CO
This is one driving day of about 133.4 miles and 2h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from Estes Park, 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 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 28
5 decision points cluster between mile 54.3 and 132.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
54.3 mi into trip|~1h 21m in|US 36 / Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Keep slight right at fork onto US 36 / Denver–Boulder Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
56.3 mi into trip|~1h 23m 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
6
57.4 mi into trip|~1h 24m in
Take the exit toward I 25 south: Denver
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 25 south: Denver
7
132.3 mi into trip|~2h 48m 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
132.5 mi into trip|~2h 48m 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
$20.10 one way
$40.20 round trip
$3.83/gal25.4 MPG avg47 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.05
$21.28
$42.56
premium
$4.39
$23.08
$46.15
diesel
$5.61
$29.45
$58.91
Estimated Tolls: $1.38
Denver–Boulder Turnpike
(19.7 mi)$1.38
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
$20
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 46.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
40
0
$14.01
$6.40
Efficient EV
33.4
0
$11.67
$5.34
EV Truck/SUV
53.4
0
$18.68
$8.54
Gas CO2
47 kg
EV CO2
16 kg (66% 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 13, 2026
Origin
Estes Park, CO
Morning
in Estes Park on Tuesday
Local time
6:08 AM
MDT
Current temp
27°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Colorado Springs, CO
Morning
in Colorado Springs on Tuesday
Local time
6:08 AM
MDT
Current temp
73°F
Mostly Sunny
SSW 15 to 20 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 13 at 11:54AM MDT until April 13 at 8:00PM MDT by NWS Denver CO
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 13 at 11:54AM MDT until April 13 at 8:00PM 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
46 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
2h 51m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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.
Rocky Mountain National Park
National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park's 415 square miles (265,807 acres) encompasses a spectacular range of mountain environments. From meadows found in the montane life zone to glistening alpine lakes and up...
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...
24 mi from route
~60 min detour
$10
near mile 128.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This 133.4-mile trek presents a turn-heavy profile that demands a bit more attention than a standard interstate cruise. With only 29% of the route consisting of highway driving, you will spend a significant portion of your time navigating local roads that shift in character as you head south. Your longest uninterrupted segment is a 68.1-mile stretch along the North Valley Highway, which offers the most consistent pace of the entire journey. Expect a transition from the winding roads near Estes Park to the more structured, multi-lane paths leading toward Colorado Springs. It is a practical drive that balances technical local segments with faster, more efficient highway sections.
Only 29% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
39 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 around 54.3 miles in near US 36 / Denver–Boulder Turnpike.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 28 significant decision points across 133.4 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 54.3 miles (US 36 / Denver–Boulder Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 56.3 miles (US 36 / Denver–Boulder Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 57.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
7,529 ft5,197 ft
Total Climb
2,050 ft
Total Descent
3,570 ft
Highest Point
7,529 ft
Elevation Range
2,331 ft
Notable High Points
5,595 ft at ~28.6 miles+128 ft prominence
5,422 ft at ~47.7 miles+66 ft prominence
6,407 ft at ~85.8 miles+69 ft prominence
6,985 ft at ~114.4 miles+183 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 Estes Park, CO to Colorado Springs, CO, road signs begin pointing toward Fort Collins 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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 51m. Total distance: 133.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 51m 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 $1.38 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 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 54.3 miles (US 36 / Denver–Boulder Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 56.3 miles (US 36 / Denver–Boulder Turnpike): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 57.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Rocky Mountain National Park and 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 Colorado Springs, CO before heading back.
