Trip from Fort Morgan, 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

2h 40m

Distance

152.5 mi

245 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$23

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 32 min

4 AM

2h 30m ★

6 AM

2h 41m

8 AM

3h 2m

10 AM

2h 48m

12 PM

2h 46m

3 PM

2h 49m

5 PM

3h 1m

8 PM

2h 34m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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

Fort Morgan, CO

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 152.5-mile drive from Fort Morgan, CO, to Colorado Springs, CO, is a straightforward, highway-focused trip that can easily be completed in a single day, taking approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes. With about 74% of the route on major highways like I-76 and I-25, it's designed for efficient travel. The estimated fuel cost is around $23, making it an economical option for a day trip. This journey stays within the Mountain West region, connecting two points in Colorado. Given the relatively short duration and focused highway profile, it's a practical choice for those looking to reach their destination without extensive detours.

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

76.2 miles from Fort Morgan, CO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 18m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 76	61.4 mi	1h 1m
I 25	45.7 mi	47m
E-470	35.1 mi	35m
Monument Valley Freeway	5.9 mi	6m
Main Street	1 mi	2m
East Kiowa Street	0.3 mi	1m
West Kiowa Street	0.2 mi	<1m
West Bijou Street	0.2 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: I 76 — 61.4 mi, about 1h 1m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Fort Morgan, CO and Colorado Springs, CO.

Start on State Street

136 ft · 5 sec · State Street

Turn right onto East Kiowa Avenue

359 ft · 13 sec · East Kiowa Avenue

Turn right onto Main Street

1.0 mi · 2 min · Main Street

Use the straight lane.

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 26 sec

Toward I 76 West Use the left lane.

Merge onto I 76

61 mi · 1 hr 1 min · I 76

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

1.0 mi · 2 min

Exit 18 Toward E470 Toll South: Limon Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto E470

35 mi · 35 min · E-470

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 26 sec

Exit 1A Toward I 25: Denver, Colorado Springs

Keep slight left at fork

0.7 mi · 1 min

Exit 1A Toward I 25 South: Colorado Springs Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Merge onto I 25

46 mi · 47 min · I 25

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 25

5.9 mi · 6 min · Monument Valley Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 30 sec

Exit 142 Toward Bijou Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

495 ft · 14 sec

Toward I 25: Downtown Use the straight / left lanes.

Turn left onto West Bijou Street

0.2 mi · 26 sec · West Bijou Street

Use the left / straight lanes.

Continue on West Kiowa Street

0.2 mi · 35 sec · West Kiowa Street

Continue on East Kiowa Street

0.3 mi · 1 min · East Kiowa Street

Turn right onto North Weber Street

490 ft · 17 sec · North Weber Street

Turn right onto East Pikes Peak Avenue

422 ft · 14 sec · East Pikes Peak Avenue

Arrive at destination

East Pikes Peak Avenue

Trip Plan

This 2-hour and 40-minute drive is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, offering flexibility in your departure time. You'll want to keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the 61.4-mile stretch on I-76, as services might be more spaced out. A practical tip is to plan your fuel and rest stops around the transition from I-76 to I-25, as this is a natural point for a break. With a manageable distance and a clear highway focus, you can easily adjust your schedule, perhaps leaving mid-morning to avoid rush hour in the Colorado Springs area and arrive with plenty of daylight.

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 76.2 miles from Fort Morgan, CO, or about 1h 18m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 61.4 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 34 miles or 35m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 76.2 miles or 1h 18m 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 9m

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 Fort Morgan, 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 Fort Morgan, CO

This is one driving day of about 152.5 miles and 2h 40m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Fort Morgan, 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 76 for about 61.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Douglas County, Colorado, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Parker, CO

76 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.

Popular next leg

Parker, CO to Colorado Springs, CO

55 mi · 1h 6m

Pacing Suggestions

Lochbuie, CO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Aurora, CO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 76.2 miles from Fort Morgan, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 76 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 61.4 miles.

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

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

San Miguel Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Fort Morgan, Colorado

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+19704278848

Visit website

Chef's Da Chinese Restaurant

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Fort Morgan, Colorado

0.1 mi

Pepper's

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Fort Morgan, Colorado

0.3 mi

San Miguel Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Fort Morgan, Colorado

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+19704278848

Visit website

Chef's Da Chinese Restaurant

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Fort Morgan, Colorado

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+19708674000

Visit website

Sonic Drive-In

3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Fort Morgan, Colorado

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+19708673200

Visit website

Pepper's

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Fort Morgan, Colorado

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+19703702584

Visit website

Santiago's Mexican Restaurant

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Fort Morgan, Colorado

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+19708672214

Visit website

Little Bamboo

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Fort Morgan, Colorado

Hours: 10:30 am–8:30 pm

+19708671827

Visit website

El Valle Restaurant

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Fort Morgan, Colorado

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+19707433421

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 76.2

Denver, Colorado

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 76.2

Denver, Colorado

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

2.4 ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 76.2

Denver, Colorado

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Green Valley Ranch East Park

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 76.2

Denver, Colorado

Hours: 5 am–11 pm

+17209131311

Visit website

Larkspur Community Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 119.8

Larkspur, Colorado

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+13036812324

Visit website

Rock Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 108.9

Castle Rock, Colorado

Hours: 5 am–11 pm

+17207332260

Visit website

Pulpit Rock Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 141.6

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Hours: 5 am–9 pm

+17193855940

Visit website

Castle Rock Adventure Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 108.9

Castle Rock, CO

+17207339477

Visit website

Railbender Skate & Tennis Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 98

Parker, Colorado

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+13038414500

Visit website

Museum of Outdoor Arts

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 98

Greenwood Village, Colorado

+13038060444

Visit website

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 152.5

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+17196339925

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 14

5 decision points cluster between mile 1.1 and 151.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

1.1 mi into trip | ~2m in

Take the ramp toward I 76 West

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane. Toward I 76 West

62.7 mi into trip | ~1h 4m in

Take the exit toward E470 Toll South: Limon

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 18 Toward E470 Toll South: Limon

99 mi into trip | ~1h 41m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 25 South: Colorado Springs

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight left lanes. Exit 1A Toward I 25 South: Colorado Springs

151.3 mi into trip | ~2h 37m 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

151.6 mi into trip | ~2h 37m 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

$22.98 one way

$45.95 round trip

$3.83/gal 25.4 MPG avg 53 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.05	$24.33	$48.66
premium	$4.39	$26.38	$52.76
diesel	$5.61	$33.67	$67.34

Estimated Tolls: $4.22

E-470 (35.1 mi) $4.22

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

$23

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$52–$77

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 53.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	45.8	$16.01	$7.32
Efficient EV	38.1	$13.34	$6.10
EV Truck/SUV	61	$21.35	$9.76

Gas CO2

53 kg

EV CO2

18 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 15, 2026

Origin

Fort Morgan, CO

Night in Fort Morgan on Saturday

Local time

10:48 PM

MDT

Current temp

42°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Colorado Springs, CO

Night in Colorado Springs on Saturday

Local time

10:48 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

2h 40m 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...

24 mi from route ~61 min detour $10 near mile 147.2

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 highway-centric experience for most of this 152.5-mile journey, with 74% of the drive utilizing major interstates. You'll encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch on I-76, covering 61.4 miles, which sets a brisk pace early on. As you transition to I-25, the character remains predominantly highway, facilitating smooth and consistent travel. While not a winding scenic byway, the efficiency of the interstate system allows you to cover ground quickly. The overall feel is one of directness, prioritizing reaching Colorado Springs with minimal fuss.

74% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 61.4 mi on I 76.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 76 and I 25. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.1 miles in.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 152.5 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 1.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 62.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 99 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Fort Morgan, CO to Colorado Springs, CO, road signs begin pointing toward E470 Toll South: Limon along the way.

E470 Toll South: Limon

62.7 mi in | ~1h 4m

About the Cities

Starting in Fort Morgan, CO

Full guide →

Fort Morgan is a city in Morgan County, Colorado.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 40m. Total distance: 152.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (74%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 61.4 miles on I 76. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $4.22 in tolls one way, starting with E-470. 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.

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 Colorado Springs, CO before heading back.

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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Trip from Fort Morgan, CO to Colorado Springs, CO

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

San Miguel Restaurant

San Miguel Restaurant

Chef's Da Chinese Restaurant

Sonic Drive-In

Pepper's

Santiago's Mexican Restaurant

Little Bamboo

El Valle Restaurant

Home Plate Fort Morgan

Electrify America Charging Station

7Charge Charging Station

Tesla Destination Charger

Tesla Supercharger

Tesla Supercharger

Circle K Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

ChargePoint Charging Station

Green Valley Ranch East Park

Larkspur Community Park

Rock Park

Pulpit Rock Park

Castle Rock Adventure Park

Railbender Skate & Tennis Park

Museum of Outdoor Arts

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Fort Morgan, CO

Colorado Springs, CO

Same local time

2 degrees warmer at arrival

2h 40m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Starting in Fort Morgan, CO

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

How do I pay the tolls on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Are there national parks near this route?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

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