How far is Colorado Springs, CO from Vail, CO?
The driving distance from Colorado Springs, CO to Vail, CO is about 162.8 miles (262 km), with a travel time of about 03h 10m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 100 miles (161 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 21m 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 10m.
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.
City in Idaho
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Partly Sunny then Chance Snow Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Colorado Springs and Vail.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Colorado Springs and Vail.
-
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
-
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
60.9 mi · 1 hr 6 min · Ronald Reagan Highway
-
7
Take the exit slight right toward US 6 West: 6th Avenue
945 ft · 23 sec
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8
Keep slight right to continue on US 6 West: 6th Avenue, Lakewood
2200 ft · 54 sec
-
9
Continue on Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
1.5 km · 2 min · Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
-
10
Keep slight left to continue on US 6
609 ft · 11 sec
-
11
Merge slight left onto West 6th Avenue Freeway
7.6 mi · 9 min · West 6th Avenue Freeway
-
12
Take the exit slight right toward I 70 West: Grand Junction
1.1 km · 56 sec
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13
Merge slight left
84.5 mi · 1 hr 40 min
-
14
Take the exit slight right toward Vail Town Center
1189 ft · 29 sec
-
15
Enter the roundabout and take exit 4 toward Vail Road
78 m · 7 sec · Vail Road
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16
Exit the roundabout onto Vail Road
91 m · 9 sec · Vail Road
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17
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Vail Road
49 m · 4 sec · Vail Road
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18
Exit the roundabout onto Vail Road
152 m · 27 sec · Vail Road
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19
Turn left onto East Meadow Drive
674 ft · 31 sec · East Meadow Drive
-
20
Turn right onto Willow Bridge Road
158 m · 30 sec · Willow Bridge Road
-
21
Turn left onto Gore Creek Drive
124 m · 20 sec · Gore Creek Drive
-
22
Turn right onto Wall Street
46 m · 7 sec · Wall Street
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Wall Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Colorado Springs and Vail.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 70 West
Merge slight left
84.5 mi · 01h 40m
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.
Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Colorado Springs and Partly Sunny then Chance Snow Showers near Vail.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Colorado Springs to Vail?
The road trip is about 162.8 miles (262 km) and usually takes 03h 10m 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?
Genesee is a useful midpoint, sitting about 81.4 miles from Colorado Springs and 81.4 miles from Vail.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 100 miles (161 km), while the road route adds roughly 62.8 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 10:38 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.26 one way or $42.53 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 51.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Colorado Springs and Partly Sunny then Chance Snow Showers near Vail.
Stop Ideas Near Genesee
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Municipal Court Park
Denver City Council
Town Hall Arts Center
City of Littleton
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Genesee.
Denver (Bus Station), Colorado
Union Station
Pine Junction, CO
Boulder, Colorado
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Colorado Springs and Vail. Straight-line distance: 100.05 mi (161.01 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 Vail
Home Rule Municipality in Eagle County, Colorado, United States
| Population | 5,489 |
| Coordinates | 39.6402600, -106.3742000 |
| Altitude | 2496 |
| Country | United States |
End: Vail (-106.3742, 39.64026)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 262 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 25m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 04m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 15m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 42m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 19m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 01m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $21.26 | $42.53 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $23.48 | $46.97 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $25.25 | $50.50 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $27.24 | $54.48 |
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 · May 21, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.