Origin
Manitou Springs, CO
Morning in Manitou Springs on Sunday
Local time
8:45 AM
MDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Manitou Springs, 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
15m
Distance
6.7 mi
11 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$1
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 14m
★
6 AM
0h 15m
8 AM
0h 18m
10 AM
0h 16m
12 PM
0h 16m
3 PM
0h 16m
5 PM
0h 18m
8 PM
0h 15m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Manitou Springs, CO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick transition between Manitou Springs and Colorado Springs, this 6.7-mile connection is as straightforward as it gets. Expect to spend about 15 minutes behind the wheel, making this a perfect day trip that requires no overnight planning. You will primarily navigate via Manitou Avenue, the Midland Expressway, and West Cimarron Street to complete the trek. With a fuel cost estimate of just $1, it is a highly economical way to move between these two Mountain West locations. Because the distance is so short, you have total flexibility in your schedule, allowing you to focus your time on your destination rather than the commute. It is a practical, no-fuss route that gets you where you need to be efficiently.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| West Cimarron Street | 2.3 mi | 3m |
| Manitou Avenue | 1.4 mi | 4m |
| Midland Expressway | 1 mi | 1m |
| West Colorado Avenue | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| East Colorado Avenue | 0.3 mi | 1m |
| South 8th Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Park Avenue | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| South Weber Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
West Cimarron Street
— 2.3 mi, about 3m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Manitou Springs, CO and Colorado Springs, CO.
1
Start on this road
93 ft
·
7 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto Cañon Avenue
34 ft
·
4 sec
·
Cañon Avenue
3
Turn left onto Park Avenue
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
Park Avenue
4
Continue on Park Avenue
90 ft
·
9 sec
·
Park Avenue
5
Turn left onto US 24 Business
480 ft
·
22 sec
·
Manitou Avenue
6
Continue on US 24 Business
1.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Manitou Avenue
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
8
Merge onto US 24
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Midland Expressway
9
Continue on US 24
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
West Cimarron Street
10
Take the exit
375 ft
·
11 sec
Toward 8th Street North
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
11
Turn straight onto South 8th Street
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
South 8th Street
Use the left lane.
12
At end of road, turn right onto West Colorado Avenue
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
West Colorado Avenue
13
Continue on East Colorado Avenue
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
East Colorado Avenue
Use the left lane.
14
Turn left onto South Weber Street
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
South Weber Street
15
Turn left onto East Pikes Peak Avenue
422 ft
·
14 sec
·
East Pikes Peak Avenue
16
Arrive at destination
East Pikes Peak Avenue
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 105 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 6.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.3 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
US 24 Business / Manitou Avenue
Enter roundabout onto US 24 Business / Manitou Avenue
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
5.2 mi into trip
|
~10m in
Take the exit toward 8th Street North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward 8th Street North
5
5.4 mi into trip
|
~11m in
|
West Colorado Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto West Colorado Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
6.5 mi into trip
|
~14m in
|
South Weber Street
Turn left onto South Weber Street
Navigation decision point
5
6.6 mi into trip
|
~15m in
|
East Pikes Peak Avenue
Turn left onto East Pikes Peak Avenue
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$1.01 one way
$2.02 round trip
$3.83/gal
25.4 MPG avg
2 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.05 | $1.07 | $2.14 |
| premium | $4.39 | $1.16 | $2.32 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $1.48 | $2.96 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$1
Estimated CO2 emission: 2.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $1 in charging · 0 stops · 50% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 2 | 0 | $0.70 | $0.32 |
| Efficient EV | 1.7 | 0 | $0.59 | $0.27 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 2.7 | 0 | $0.94 | $0.43 |
Gas CO2
2 kg
EV CO2
1 kg (50% 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.
Destination
Colorado Springs, CO
Morning in Colorado Springs on Sunday
Local time
8:45 AM
MDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
20 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
15m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This 15-minute excursion is defined by a turn-heavy, local driving profile rather than a long-distance highway slog. Only about 15% of your travel time will be spent on highway-grade roads, so keep your focus on local traffic patterns and navigation. You will find the longest uninterrupted stretch is a 2.3-mile segment on West Cimarron Street, which provides a brief break from the more frequent turns found on the local streets. As you transition from Manitou Avenue onto the Midland Expressway, the road feel shifts from a community-focused pace to a slightly faster flow. Be prepared for a drive that demands consistent attention to turns rather than high-speed cruising.
Only 15% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 2.3 mi on West Cimarron Street.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near US 24 Business / Manitou Avenue.
Driving Effort
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 6.7 miles you will encounter 10 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 0.3 miles (US 24 Business / Manitou Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 5.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 5.4 miles (West Colorado Avenue): Navigation decision point.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Manitou Springs, CO to Colorado Springs, CO, road signs begin pointing toward 8Th Street North along the way.
8Th Street North
5.2 mi in
|
~10m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
This is a super easy, 15-minute, 6.7-mile round trip perfect for a quick weekend escape. You'll encounter some turns but it's straightforward.
Family Friendly
With only 6.7 miles and 15 minutes, this route is short enough for even the youngest passengers. The moderate 5/10 complexity means you'll navigate a few turns but it's manageable.
Solo Traveler
At just 6.7 miles and 15 minutes, this is a comfortable and quick drive for a solo traveler. The 15% highway portion is minimal.
EV Driver
This short 6.7-mile drive is definitely doable on a single charge, and you'll find 13 EV DC fast chargers nearby if needed.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (15%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 2.3 miles on West Cimarron Street. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 0.3 miles (US 24 Business / Manitou Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 5.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 5.4 miles (West Colorado Avenue): Navigation decision point.
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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