How far is Colorado Springs, CO from Aspen, CO?

The driving distance from Colorado Springs, CO to Aspen, CO is about 156.1 miles (251.2 km), with a travel time of about 04h 01m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 110 miles (177 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 03m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
156.06 mi
04h 01m
Flight
109.97 mi
176.98 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Colorado Springs.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
109.97 mi
Kilometers
176.98 km
Flight Time
00h 13m

Driving Distance

Road route
156.06 mi
Kilometers
251.15 km
Drive Time
04h 01m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 04h 01m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Aspen
Sat, Apr 11, 9:25 PM MDT
Return by in Colorado Springs
Sun, Apr 12, 1:27 AM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Colorado Springs
2026-04-11T17:23
Arrive Aspen
Sat, Apr 11, 9:25 PM MDT
Route Timing
04h 01m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:02 AM to 12:02 PM MDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
8:56 AM MDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Colorado Springs
9:00 PM MDT
Early departure recommended

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Buena Vista
CO

Town of the United States

From Colorado Springs
78 mi
02h 00m
To Aspen
78.1 mi
02h 00m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
72°F
Saturday

Mostly Cloudy then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Sat, Apr 11 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
0 to 15 mph SSW
Destination
54°F
Saturday

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Sat, Apr 11 12:00 AM MDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Colorado Springs and Aspen.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Colorado Springs and Aspen.

  1. 1

    Start on East Pikes Peak Avenue

    20 m · 4 sec · East Pikes Peak Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn left onto South Nevada Avenue

    607 ft · 33 sec · South Nevada Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn right onto East Colorado Avenue

    982 ft · 38 sec · East Colorado Avenue

  4. 4

    Continue on West Colorado Avenue

    1.4 km · 3 min · West Colorado Avenue

  5. 5

    Turn sharp left onto South Limit Street

    1010 ft · 20 sec · South Limit Street

  6. 6

    Turn right onto West Cimarron Street

    2.4 mi · 4 min · West Cimarron Street

  7. 7

    Continue on Midland Expressway

    15.7 mi · 24 min · Midland Expressway

  8. 8

    Keep slight right

    45.3 mi · 55 min

  9. 9

    Continue straight

    12.7 mi · 14 min

  10. 10

    At the end of the road, turn left

    13.7 mi · 18 min

  11. 11

    At the end of the road, turn right

    21.6 mi · 25 min

  12. 12

    Turn left

    42.9 mi · 1 hr 37 min

  13. 13

    Turn right onto South Original Street

    753 ft · 26 sec · South Original Street

  14. 14

    Continue on East Main Street

    1095 ft · 41 sec · East Main Street

  15. 15

    Turn right onto North Galena Street

    45 m · 7 sec · North Galena Street

  16. 16

    Turn left

    17 m · 2 sec

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Colorado Springs and Aspen.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
17 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
0
0 merges, 0 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Midland Expressway
73.7 mi · 47%
West Cimarron Street
2.42 mi · 2%
West Colorado Avenue
0.87 mi · 1%
East Main Street
0.21 mi
South Limit Street
0.19 mi
East Colorado Avenue
0.19 mi
Longest Stretch

Midland Expressway

Keep slight right

45.3 mi · 00h 55m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A longer out-and-back drive

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

Drive Time
04h 01m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 04m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+46.1 mi
110 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Buena Vista
02h 00m from Colorado Springs
Leave By
8:56 AM MDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Cloudy then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Colorado Springs and Showers And Thunderstorms near Aspen.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Colorado Springs to Aspen?

The road trip is about 156.1 miles (251.2 km) and usually takes 04h 01m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Buena Vista is a useful midpoint, sitting about 78 miles from Colorado Springs and 78.1 miles from Aspen.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 110 miles (177 km), while the road route adds roughly 46.1 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:56 AM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.38 one way or $40.75 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Colorado Springs and Showers And Thunderstorms near Aspen.

Stop Ideas Near Buena Vista

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Buena Vista, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Buena Vista.

BUS

Buena Vista, CO

4 mi away
27318 County Road 314
BUS

Poncha Springs, CO

37 mi away
6250 US Highway 285
BUS

Salida, CO

37 mi away
54 Jones Avenue
BUS

Fairplay, CO

44 mi away
620 US Highway 285

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Colorado Springs and Aspen. Straight-line distance: 109.97 mi (176.98 km).

Colorado Springs

#1 Colorado Springs

The second most populous city in Colorado and the center of the Colorado Springs metropolitan area.

Population482,131
Coordinates38.8338800, -104.8213600
Altitude1832
CountryUnited States
Aspen

#2 Aspen

Town in Pitkin County, Colorado, USA

Population7,657
Coordinates39.1911000, -106.8175400
Altitude2405
CountryUnited States
Start: Colorado Springs (-104.82136, 38.83388)
End: Aspen (-106.81754, 39.1911)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 251 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 11m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 54m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 07m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 36m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 13m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 56m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.51 gal
20.85 L · about $20.38
Round trip
$40.75
11.02 gal · 41.7 L
Estimated CO2
49 kg one way
Round trip: 97.9 kg / 216 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.70 $20.38 $40.75
Mid-grade $4.08 $22.50 $45.01
Premium $4.39 $24.19 $48.39
Diesel $4.74 $26.10 $52.20

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Colorado · Apr 11, 2026

There is no time difference between Colorado Springs and Aspen. The current time is 17:23:08.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.