Traveling from Kersey to Colorado Springs covers 127.4 miles and typically takes about 2 hours and 5 minutes to complete. This journey stays entirely within the Mountain West region of Colorado, making it a straightforward day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $17 for fuel to cover the distance. Because the route relies on local roads rather than major interstates, you will experience a more direct connection to the local landscape. It is a practical choice if you prefer a trip focused on local navigation rather than highway cruising.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
64.1 miles from Kersey, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 11m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 25
45.7 mi
47m
E-470
35.1 mi
35m
County Road 49
20 mi
23m
I 76
15.8 mi
15m
Monument Valley Freeway
5.9 mi
6m
Highway 34
2 mi
3m
East Kiowa Street
0.3 mi
1m
1st Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 25
— 45.7 mi, about 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kersey, CO and Colorado Springs, CO.
1
Start on this road
109 ft·9 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto 3rd Street
423 ft·23 sec·3rd Street
3
Turn left onto Campbell Street
0.1 mi·32 sec·Campbell Street
4
Turn right onto 1st Street
0.3 mi·49 sec·1st Street
5
Turn left onto US 34
2.0 mi·3 min·Highway 34
Use the left / straight lanes.
6
Turn left onto CR 49
20 mi·23 min·County Road 49
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward I 76 West
8
Merge onto I 76
16 mi·15 min·I 76
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
1.0 mi·2 min
Exit 18Toward E470 Toll South: LimonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto E470
35 mi·35 min·E-470
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 1AToward I 25: Denver, Colorado Springs
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 1AToward I 25 South: Colorado SpringsUse the straight / slight left lanes.
13
Merge onto I 25
46 mi·47 min·I 25
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 25
5.9 mi·6 min·Monument Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 142Toward Bijou StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork
495 ft·14 sec
Toward I 25: DowntownUse the straight / left lanes.
17
Turn left onto West Bijou Street
0.2 mi·26 sec·West Bijou Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
18
Continue on West Kiowa Street
0.2 mi·35 sec·West Kiowa Street
19
Continue on East Kiowa Street
0.3 mi·1 min·East Kiowa Street
20
Turn right onto North Weber Street
490 ft·17 sec·North Weber Street
21
Turn right onto East Pikes Peak Avenue
422 ft·14 sec·East Pikes Peak Avenue
22
Arrive at destination
East Pikes Peak Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short drive of just over two hours, you have plenty of flexibility in your departure time. You won't need to worry about planning for long-haul stops, as the route is designed to be completed in one go without scheduled breaks. Make sure your vehicle is fueled up before you leave, keeping that $17 fuel estimate in mind for your budget. Because you are avoiding major highways, keep a close eye on your navigation as you move through turns on 3rd, Trumbull, and South 1st streets. Staying alert to the frequent turns is the best way to ensure a smooth arrival in Colorado Springs.
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 64.1 miles from Kersey, CO, or about 1h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 45.7 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 28 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 64.1 miles or 1h 11m 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 54m
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 Kersey, 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 Kersey, CO
This is one driving day of about 128.2 miles and 2h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Kersey, CO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 25 for about 45.7 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 38.4 and 127.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
38.4 mi into trip|~44m 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
6
74.5 mi into trip|~1h 21m in
Take the exit toward I 25: Denver, Colorado Springs
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 1A
Toward I 25: Denver, Colorado Springs
8
74.7 mi into trip|~1h 22m 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
7
127.1 mi into trip|~2h 17m 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
127.3 mi into trip|~2h 18m 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
$19.32 one way
$38.63 round trip
$3.83/gal25.4 MPG avg45 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.05
$20.45
$40.90
premium
$4.39
$22.18
$44.36
diesel
$5.61
$28.30
$56.61
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
$19
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 44.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
38.5
0
$13.46
$6.15
Efficient EV
32.1
0
$11.22
$5.13
EV Truck/SUV
51.3
0
$17.95
$8.20
Gas CO2
45 kg
EV CO2
15 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 20, 2026
Origin
Kersey, CO
Late night
in Kersey on Tuesday
Local time
3:23 AM
MDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Colorado Springs, CO
Late night
in Colorado Springs on Tuesday
Local time
3:23 AM
MDT
Current temp
33°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
26 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
2h 21m 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
~60 min detour
$10
near mile 123.8
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 keeps you engaged behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this route relies on 3rd Street, Trumbull Street, and South 1st Street to get you to your destination. With 0% highway share, you will be navigating local roads for the entire 127.4-mile duration. There is no long-distance highway cruising here, as the longest stretch is 0 miles on 3rd Street. Be prepared for a technical, hands-on driving experience that demands your full attention as you transition between these local thoroughfares.
54% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 45.7 mi on I 25.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 38.4 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 17 significant decision points across 128.2 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 38.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 74.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 74.7 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 Kersey, CO to Colorado Springs, CO, road signs begin pointing toward E470 Toll South: Limon 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 21m. Total distance: 128.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (54%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 45.7 miles on I 25. 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 38.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 74.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 74.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 Colorado Springs, CO before heading back.
