Paonia to Colorado Springs is 294.2 miles and takes about 6h 16m via I 70, North Valley Highway, and CO 133, with a fuel budget near $46 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive takes you from the Mountain West region of Colorado to another part of the same state, offering a straightforward path for a single-day trip. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, making it a practical choice if you're looking to cover ground efficiently. Consider this route for its simplicity and directness, allowing you to reach your destination with minimal fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
147.1 miles from Paonia, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 28m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 70
145.3 mi
2h 48m
North Valley Highway
60.6 mi
1h 5m
CO 133
58 mi
1h 35m
CO 82
9.9 mi
16m
West 6th Avenue Freeway
7.9 mi
9m
Monument Valley Freeway
5.9 mi
6m
Midland Avenue
1.6 mi
2m
Grand Avenue
1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 70
— 145.3 mi, about 2h 48m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 14 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,468 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,128
Quietest
2 AM
~81 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
18.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Paonia, CO and Colorado Springs, CO.
1
Start on Orchard Avenue
53 ft·7 sec·Orchard Avenue
2
Turn left onto 3rd Street
0.3 mi·48 sec·3rd Street
3
Turn right onto Grand Avenue
0.8 mi·1 min·Grand Avenue
4
Turn right onto CO 133
57 mi·1 hr 33 min·CO 133
Use the straight lane.
5
Enter roundabout
95 ft·1 sec
6
Continue
463 ft·9 sec
7
Continue on CO 133
0.8 mi·1 min·CO 133
8
Continue on CO 133
0.1 mi·20 sec·CO 133
9
Turn left onto CO 82
9.9 mi·16 min·CO 82
Use the straight lane.
10
Turn left onto 27th Street
0.1 mi·14 sec·27th Street
Use the left lane.
11
Enter roundabout onto 27th Street
86 ft·1 sec·27th Street
12
Continue on 27th Street
0.1 mi·12 sec·27th Street
13
Enter roundabout onto Midland Avenue
13 ft·0 sec·Midland Avenue
14
Continue on Midland Avenue
1.6 mi·2 min·Midland Avenue
15
Turn right onto West 8th Street
0.4 mi·50 sec·West 8th Street
16
Turn left onto CO 82
0.2 mi·41 sec·Grand Avenue
17
Continue on CO 82
0.1 mi·38 sec·Laurel Street
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
19
Merge onto I 70
145 mi·2 hr 48 min·I 70
Use the straight lane.
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Exit 261Toward US 6 East: 6th Avenue, LakewoodUse the slight right lane.
21
Merge onto US 6
7.9 mi·9 min·West 6th Avenue Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit onto US 6
0.6 mi·59 sec·US 6
Toward I 25: Fort Collins, Colorado SpringsUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 25 South: Colorado Springs
24
Merge onto I 25
61 mi·1 hr 5 min·North Valley Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on I 25
5.9 mi·6 min·Monument Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 142Toward Bijou StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Keep slight left at fork
495 ft·14 sec
Toward I 25: DowntownUse the straight / left lanes.
28
Turn left onto West Bijou Street
0.2 mi·26 sec·West Bijou Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
29
Continue on West Kiowa Street
0.2 mi·35 sec·West Kiowa Street
30
Continue on East Kiowa Street
0.3 mi·1 min·East Kiowa Street
31
Turn right onto North Weber Street
490 ft·17 sec·North Weber Street
32
Turn right onto East Pikes Peak Avenue
422 ft·14 sec·East Pikes Peak Avenue
33
Arrive at destination
East Pikes Peak Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 16m estimated drive time, leaving Paonia in the morning will allow you to reach Colorado Springs well before evening. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, you can be flexible with your timing. The longest stretch on I 70 is over 145 miles, so plan your fuel accordingly before entering that segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as services might be more spread out during that portion of the drive. This route is well-suited for a single-day adventure, so you don't need to worry about overnight stays.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 147.1 miles from Paonia, CO, or about 3h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 145.3 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 65 miles or 1h 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 147.1 miles or 3h 28m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 17m
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 Paonia, 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 Paonia, CO
This is one driving day of about 294.2 miles and 6h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 miles from Paonia, 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 70 for about 145.3 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 69.2 and 293.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
69.2 mi into trip|~1h 55m in|27th Street
Enter roundabout onto 27th Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
8
217.2 mi into trip|~4h 49m in
Take the exit toward US 6 East: 6th Avenue, Lakewood
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 261
Toward US 6 East: 6th Avenue, Lakewood
7
225.4 mi into trip|~4h 59m in|US 6
Take the exit onto US 6 toward I 25: Fort Collins, Colorado Springs
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 25: Fort Collins, Colorado Springs
7
293.1 mi into trip|~6h 13m 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
293.3 mi into trip|~6h 13m 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
$44.86 one way
$89.72 round trip
$3.87/gal25.4 MPG avg103 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$47.69
$95.37
premium
$4.45
$51.58
$103.16
diesel
$4.80
$55.55
$111.10
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 102.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
88.3
1
$30.89
$14.12
Efficient EV
73.6
0
$25.74
$11.77
EV Truck/SUV
117.7
1
$41.19
$18.83
Gas CO2
103 kg
EV CO2
34 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Paonia, CO
Late night
in Paonia on Sunday
Local time
2:17 AM
MDT
Current temp
92°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 5 mph49% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 4:39PM MDT until July 17 at 6:15PM MDT by NWS Grand Junction CO
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 3:57PM MDT until July 17 at 7:00PM MDT by NWS Grand Junction CO
Destination
Colorado Springs, CO
Late night
in Colorado Springs on Sunday
Local time
2:17 AM
MDT
Current temp
87°F
Partly Sunny
SE 10 mph9% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 4:39PM MDT until July 17 at 6:15PM MDT by NWS Grand Junction CO
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 3:57PM MDT until July 17 at 7:00PM MDT by NWS Grand Junction CO
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
5 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
6h 16m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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.
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park
National Park
Big enough to be overwhelming, yet still intimate enough to feel the pulse of time. Come see some of the steepest cliffs, oldest rock, and craggiest spires in North America. Forces of nature and the G...
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...
25 mi from route
~63 min detour
$10
near mile 294.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly highway, with 77% of the 294.2 miles on major roads. You'll experience a longest stretch of 145.3 miles on I 70, indicating extended periods of cruising. Expect the transition from highway to surface roads to occur later in the drive. The extensive highway segment means you'll likely encounter consistent speeds and a more predictable driving experience for the majority of your trip.
77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 145.3 mi on I 70.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 70 and North Valley Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 69.2 miles in near 27th Street.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 294.2 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 69.2 miles (27th Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 217.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 225.4 miles (US 6): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mountain driving with significant elevation changes
10,589 ft5,386 ft
Total Climb
7,838 ft
Total Descent
7,510 ft
Highest Point
10,589 ft
~168.1 mi in
Elevation Range
5,203 ft
Notable High Points
7,178 ft at ~42 miles+639 ft prominence
10,589 ft at ~168.1 miles+159 ft prominence
7,174 ft at ~273.2 miles+1,002 ft prominence
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 Paonia, CO to Colorado Springs, CO, road signs begin pointing toward Lakewood along the way.
Paonia is a town in the Northwestern part of the Rocky Mountains state of Colorado. It is the nearest town to the West Elks American Viticultural Area (AVA), part of Colorado's Wine Country and home to the highest wine vineyards in North America.
Top landmarks
•Paonia First Christian Church — historic church building in Paonia, Colorado, USA
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.
Top landmarks
•United States Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel — chapel in Colorado, USA
•Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun — commemorative tower and chapel in Colorado Springs, Colorado
•St. Mary's Cathedral — cathedral in Colorado Springs, United States of America
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 16m. Total distance: 294.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 16m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 145.3 miles on I 70. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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.
The main spots that need attention: at 69.2 miles (27th Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 217.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 225.4 miles (US 6): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park and Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.3 hours each way, a round trip means 12.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Colorado Springs, CO before the return drive.
