This 76.1-mile drive from Fort Carson, CO, to Denver, CO, will take approximately 1 hour and 31 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. You'll primarily navigate using Ronald Reagan Highway, Monument Valley Freeway, and CO 115. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $11. Since both the origin and destination are within the Mountain West region, you can expect consistent scenery. This route is best suited for a single day of travel, allowing for flexibility in your schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
38 miles from Fort Carson, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 46m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Ronald Reagan Highway
57.6 mi
1h 1m
Monument Valley Freeway
7.7 mi
8m
CO 115
4.4 mi
7m
South Logan Street
2.7 mi
5m
Chiles Avenue
1 mi
2m
East Buchtel North Boulevard
0.6 mi
1m
O'Connell Boulevard
0.4 mi
<1m
East 13th Avenue
0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Ronald Reagan Highway
— 57.6 mi, about 1h 1m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Carson, CO and Denver, CO.
1
Start on Prussman Avenue
0.1 mi·23 sec·Prussman Avenue
2
Turn right onto Chiles Avenue
1.0 mi·2 min·Chiles Avenue
3
Turn left onto O'Connell Boulevard
0.4 mi·41 sec·O'Connell Boulevard
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·53 sec
5
Merge onto CO 115
4.4 mi·7 min·CO 115
Use the straight lane.
6
Turn left
0.1 mi·14 sec
Toward I 25 North, US 24 West: DenverUse the left lane.
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward I 25 North, US 24 West: DenverUse the straight / right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 25; US 24
7.7 mi·8 min·Monument Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 25
58 mi·1 hr 1 min·Ronald Reagan Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.1 mi·15 sec
Exit 206Toward Downing Street, Washington Street, Emerson StreetUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward Emerson Street, Washington StreetUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on East Buchtel North Boulevard
0.6 mi·1 min·East Buchtel North Boulevard
13
Turn right onto South Logan Street
2.7 mi·5 min·South Logan Street
14
Turn left onto East 13th Avenue
0.1 mi·26 sec·East 13th Avenue
15
Turn right onto Sherman Street
0.1 mi·33 sec·Sherman Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
At end of road, turn right
298 ft·21 sec
17
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the short 1 hour and 31-minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility for when to depart. Leaving early can help you avoid any potential traffic as you approach Denver. With no designated stops on this route, plan your own breaks as needed, perhaps in one of the smaller towns you pass through. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $11 for the 76.1 miles; it’s always a good idea to fill up before leaving Fort Carson. Pay attention to posted speed limits, especially as you navigate the local road segments.
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 38 miles from Fort Carson, CO, or about 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 57.6 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 17 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 38 miles or 46m 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 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Denver, CO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Fort Carson, CO so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Fort Carson, CO
This is one driving day of about 76.1 miles and 1h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 17 miles from Fort Carson, CO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Ronald Reagan Highway for about 57.6 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 6.3 and 75.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
6.3 mi into trip|~11m in
Turn left toward I 25 North, US 24 West: Denver
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I 25 North, US 24 West: Denver
7
6.4 mi into trip|~12m in
Take the ramp toward I 25 North, US 24 West: Denver
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 25 North, US 24 West: Denver
8
72.1 mi into trip|~1h 22m in
Take the exit toward Downing Street, Washington Street, Emerson Street
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 206
Toward Downing Street, Washington Street, Emers...
9
72.2 mi into trip|~1h 23m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Emerson Street, Washington Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward Emerson Street, Washington Street
7
75.9 mi into trip|~1h 30m in|Sherman Street
Turn right onto Sherman Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$11.47 one way
$22.93 round trip
$3.83/gal25.4 MPG avg27 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.05
$12.14
$24.28
premium
$4.39
$13.16
$26.33
diesel
$5.61
$16.80
$33.60
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 26.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
22.8
0
$7.99
$3.65
Efficient EV
19
0
$6.66
$3.04
EV Truck/SUV
30.4
0
$10.65
$4.87
Gas CO2
27 kg
EV CO2
9 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 16, 2026
Origin
Fort Carson, CO
Late night
in Fort Carson on Tuesday
Local time
3:09 AM
MDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Sunny
SSW 20 to 25 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Denver, CO
Late night
in Denver on Tuesday
Local time
3:09 AM
MDT
Current temp
35°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
40 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 31m 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.
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...
24 mi from route
~61 min detour
$10
near mile 10.5
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 for this 76.1-mile trip. With only 16% of the journey on highways, you'll experience a more varied road profile. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 57.6 miles on Ronald Reagan Highway, offering a brief period of consistent travel before the road becomes more dynamic. This route is characterized by frequent changes in direction and speed, so keep your focus on the road as you transition between different types of thoroughfares.
Only 16% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 57.6 mi on Ronald Reagan Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 6.3 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 76.1 miles you will encounter 11 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: at 6.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 72.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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.
Denver is the capital of the western U.S. state of Colorado and the dominant city of the Rocky Mountain Region. Founded in 1858 as the placer gold mining camp known as the Cherry Creek Diggings, the "Mile-High City" is today the most populous city within a 560-mile (900 km) radius and the center of the Front Range Urban Corridor of more than five million residents. Denver embraces its cowboy and mining past but also looks toward the future with a vibrant arts and performing arts scene, dozens of great outdoor festivals, and distinct neighborhoods each offering a unique experience. You'll find everything a cosmopolitan city has to offer including a spectacular view of and easy access to the beautiful Rocky Mountains, which arise only 12 miles (19 km) west of the Colorado State Capitol.
Top landmarks
•Denver Art Museum — museum in Denver, Colorado, United States
•Denver Mint — United States Mint branch in Denver, Colorado
•Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception — church in Colorado, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 31m. Total distance: 76.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 57.6 miles on Ronald Reagan Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Denver, 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: at 6.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 72.1 miles: 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Denver, CO before heading back.
