La Salle, CO to Colorado Springs, CO is 127.9 miles and takes about 2h 24m via I 25, I 76, and E-470, with a fuel budget near $19 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Mountain West region, moving from one familiar Colorado landscape to another. It's a straightforward trip, primarily utilizing major interstate highways, making it a practical choice for a quick journey between these two Colorado cities. You'll find this route to be a convenient option if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B without extensive planning.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
63.9 miles from La Salle, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 14m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 25
45.7 mi
47m
E-470
35.1 mi
35m
I 76
15.8 mi
15m
County Road 49
14 mi
16m
Monument Valley Freeway
5.9 mi
6m
County Road 44
5 mi
7m
County Road 39
2.3 mi
5m
Main Street
0.9 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 25
— 45.7 mi, about 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between La Salle, CO and Colorado Springs, CO.
1
Start on Main Street
0.9 mi·2 min·Main Street
2
Continue on County Road 39
2.3 mi·5 min·County Road 39
3
Turn left onto County Road 44
5.0 mi·7 min·County Road 44
4
Turn right onto CR 49
14 mi·16 min·County Road 49
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward I 76 West
6
Merge onto I 76
16 mi·15 min·I 76
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
1.0 mi·2 min
Exit 18Toward E470 Toll South: LimonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto E470
35 mi·35 min·E-470
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 1AToward I 25: Denver, Colorado Springs
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 1AToward I 25 South: Colorado SpringsUse the straight / slight left lanes.
11
Merge onto I 25
46 mi·47 min·I 25
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 25
5.9 mi·6 min·Monument Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 142Toward Bijou StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork
495 ft·14 sec
Toward I 25: DowntownUse the straight / left lanes.
15
Turn left onto West Bijou Street
0.2 mi·26 sec·West Bijou Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
16
Continue on West Kiowa Street
0.2 mi·35 sec·West Kiowa Street
17
Continue on East Kiowa Street
0.3 mi·1 min·East Kiowa Street
18
Turn right onto North Weber Street
490 ft·17 sec·North Weber Street
19
Turn right onto East Pikes Peak Avenue
422 ft·14 sec·East Pikes Peak Avenue
20
Arrive at destination
East Pikes Peak Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 2h 24m, this is an easy same-day trip, so you can leave whenever is most convenient for you. With a fuel cost estimated at $19, planning your fuel stops won't be a major concern, but it's always wise to top off before heading out. The longest continuous stretch on I 25 is 45.7 miles, so you'll have opportunities for breaks before then. Since the drive is under 3 hours, you have the flexibility to depart mid-morning and still arrive with plenty of daylight remaining.
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 63.9 miles from La Salle, CO, or about 1h 14m 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 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 63.9 miles or 1h 14m 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 57m
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 La Salle, 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 La Salle, CO
This is one driving day of about 127.9 miles and 2h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from La Salle, 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 38 and 126.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
38 mi into trip|~47m 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
74.2 mi into trip|~1h 24m 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
74.4 mi into trip|~1h 25m 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
126.7 mi into trip|~2h 20m 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
126.9 mi into trip|~2h 21m 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
$19.27 one way
$38.54 round trip
$3.83/gal25.4 MPG avg45 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.05
$20.40
$40.81
premium
$4.39
$22.13
$44.25
diesel
$5.61
$28.24
$56.48
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
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 44.7 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
38.4
0
$13.43
$6.14
Efficient EV
32
0
$11.19
$5.12
EV Truck/SUV
51.2
0
$17.91
$8.19
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 15, 2026
Origin
La Salle, CO
Morning
in La Salle on Sunday
Local time
8:45 AM
MDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Colorado Springs, CO
Morning
in Colorado Springs on Sunday
Local time
8:45 AM
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
36 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 24m 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 123.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a mixed drive, with 53% of the route on highways. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on I 25, including a longest stretch of 45.7 miles without needing to exit. The drive begins on I-76 before merging onto I-25, offering a blend of faster highway speeds and the occasional transition onto toll roads like E-470. Expect a generally smooth driving experience focused on covering distance efficiently, rather than a winding, scenic adventure.
53% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
20 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 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 14 significant decision points across 127.9 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 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 74.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 74.4 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 La Salle, CO to Colorado Springs, CO, road signs begin pointing toward E470 Toll South: Limon along the way.
E470 Toll South: Limon
38 mi in|~47m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 24m. Total distance: 127.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (53%). 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 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 74.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 74.4 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.
