How far is Colorado Springs, CO from Sterling, CO?
The driving distance from Colorado Springs, CO to Sterling, CO is about 197 miles (317 km), with a travel time of about 03h 25m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 150.6 miles (242.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 51m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 03h 25m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Town of the United States in Weld County in United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Colorado Springs and Sterling.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Colorado Springs and Sterling.
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1
Start on East Pikes Peak Avenue
1110 ft · 48 sec · East Pikes Peak Avenue
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2
Turn right onto North Cascade Avenue
1003 ft · 43 sec · North Cascade Avenue
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3
Turn left onto West Bijou Street
1242 ft · 27 sec · West Bijou Street
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4
Take the ramp slight right toward I 25
2010 ft · 51 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Monument Valley Freeway
5.7 mi · 7 min · Monument Valley Freeway
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6
Continue on Ronald Reagan Highway
45.9 mi · 48 min · Ronald Reagan Highway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward CO 470 West, E 470 North Toll: Grand Junction, Limon
865 ft · 21 sec
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8
Keep slight right to continue on E-470 North: Limon
2718 ft · 1 min
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9
Merge slight left onto E-470
34.4 mi · 34 min · E-470
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10
Take the exit slight right toward I 76 East: Fort Morgan
1.1 mi · 2 min
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11
Merge slight left onto Heartland Expressway
105.6 mi · 1 hr 46 min · Heartland Expressway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward US 6: Sterling, Holyoke
2004 ft · 49 sec
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13
Keep slight left to continue on US 6 West: Sterling
56 m · 6 sec
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14
Turn left onto US Highway 6
3251 ft · 1 min · US Highway 6
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15
Continue on East Chestnut Street
1.4 mi · 3 min · East Chestnut Street
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16
Turn left onto North 3rd Street
84 m · 10 sec · North 3rd Street
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17
Turn right
73 m · 18 sec
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Colorado Springs and Sterling.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Heartland Expressway
Merge slight left onto Heartland Expressway
106 mi · 01h 46m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving Colorado Springs and Sunny near Sterling.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Colorado Springs to Sterling?
The road trip is about 197 miles (317 km) and usually takes 03h 25m 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?
Lochbuie is a useful midpoint, sitting about 98.4 miles from Colorado Springs and 98.5 miles from Sterling.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 150.6 miles (242.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 46.4 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 10:08 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.70 one way or $51.40 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 61.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Colorado Springs and Sunny near Sterling.
Stop Ideas Near Lochbuie
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Historic Brighton City Hall
Town of Frederick
Town Hall
Old Town Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Lochbuie.
Denver (Bus Station), Colorado
Union Station
Longmont, Colorado
Boulder, Colorado
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Colorado Springs and Sterling. Straight-line distance: 150.58 mi (242.34 km).
#1 Colorado Springs
The second most populous city in Colorado and the center of the Colorado Springs metropolitan area.
| Population | 482,131 |
| Coordinates | 38.8338800, -104.8213600 |
| Altitude | 1832 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Sterling
City in Colorado
| Population | 14,078 |
| Coordinates | 40.6255400, -103.2077100 |
| Altitude | 1200 |
| Country | United States |
End: Sterling (-103.20771, 40.62554)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 317 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 33m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 55m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 56m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 16m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 48m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 27m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $25.70 | $51.40 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $28.38 | $56.77 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $30.52 | $61.03 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $32.92 | $65.84 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.