How far is Cortez, CO from Castle Rock, CO?
The driving distance from Cortez, CO to Castle Rock, CO is about 399 miles (642.1 km), with a travel time of about 06h 46m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 245.7 miles (395.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 13h 33m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 06h 46m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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 Colorado, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Cortez and Castle Rock.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cortez and Castle Rock.
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1
Start on the route
65 m · 18 sec
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2
Turn right onto North Market Street
59 m · 13 sec · North Market Street
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3
Turn left onto East Main Street
1.7 mi · 4 min · East Main Street
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4
Continue on East Mancos Road
16.4 mi · 24 min · East Mancos Road
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5
Continue on US 160
26.7 mi · 32 min · US 160
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6
Take the exit right toward US 160 East, US 550 South
1140 ft · 31 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Camino del Rio
3.8 mi · 6 min · Camino del Rio
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8
Continue on Highway 160
52.7 mi · 1 hr 8 min · Highway 160
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9
Continue on San Juan Street
2.6 mi · 5 min · San Juan Street
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10
Continue on Pagosa Street
57.8 mi · 1 hr 21 min · Pagosa Street
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11
Continue on Grand Avenue
1.1 mi · 3 min · Grand Avenue
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12
Continue on West U.S. Highway 160
12.6 mi · 15 min · West U.S. Highway 160
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13
Continue on 1st Avenue
1.3 km · 2 min · 1st Avenue
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14
Continue on Park Avenue
1343 ft · 46 sec · Park Avenue
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15
Continue on Grand Avenue
16.3 mi · 27 min · Grand Avenue
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16
Continue on Sixth Street
1647 ft · 42 sec · Sixth Street
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17
Turn left onto West Avenue
828 ft · 31 sec · West Avenue
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18
Turn right onto Fourth Street
1.1 km · 2 min · Fourth Street
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19
At the end of the road, turn left onto Denver Avenue
159 m · 18 sec · Denver Avenue
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20
Continue on Broadway Avenue
1420 ft · 41 sec · Broadway Avenue
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21
Continue on Santa Fe Avenue
71.4 mi · 1 hr 28 min · Santa Fe Avenue
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22
Turn left onto Main Street
1938 ft · 44 sec · Main Street
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23
Continue on Main Street
64 m · 4 sec · Main Street
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24
Continue on Walsen Avenue
1.1 km · 1 min · Walsen Avenue
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25
Continue on US Highway 85/87
1.6 mi · 2 min · US Highway 85/87
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26
Take the ramp straight toward I 25 North: Pueblo
86.9 mi · 1 hr 31 min
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27
Continue on Monument Valley Freeway
8.5 mi · 10 min · Monument Valley Freeway
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28
Continue on Ronald Reagan Highway
32.5 mi · 33 min · Ronald Reagan Highway
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29
Take the exit slight right toward Plum Creek Parkway
1960 ft · 52 sec
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30
Turn right onto West Plum Creek Parkway
719 ft · 27 sec · West Plum Creek Parkway
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31
Turn left onto South Wilcox Street
1431 ft · 49 sec · South Wilcox Street
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32
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward North Wilcox Street
16 m · 1 sec · North Wilcox Street
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33
Exit the roundabout onto North Wilcox Street
1123 ft · 42 sec · North Wilcox Street
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34
Turn right onto 3rd Street
105 m · 11 sec · 3rd Street
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35
Exit the roundabout onto 3rd Street
728 ft · 25 sec · 3rd Street
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36
Turn right onto North Cantril Street
27 m · 3 sec · North Cantril Street
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37
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Cantril Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Cortez and Castle Rock.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 25 North
Take the ramp straight toward I 25 North: Pueblo
86.9 mi · 01h 31m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Mostly Sunny leaving Cortez and Sunny near Castle Rock.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Cortez to Castle Rock?
The road trip is about 399 miles (642.1 km) and usually takes 06h 46m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Alamosa is a useful midpoint, sitting about 198.9 miles from Cortez and 200.1 miles from Castle Rock.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 245.7 miles (395.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 153.3 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 7:30 AM MDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $52.07 one way or $104.14 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 125.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Cortez and Sunny near Castle Rock.
Stop Ideas Near Alamosa
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Alamosa.
Alamosa, CO
Poncha Springs, CO
Salida, CO
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Cortez and Castle Rock. Straight-line distance: 245.68 mi (395.39 km).
#1 Cortez
Town in and county seat of Montezuma County, Colorado, United States
| Population | 8,734 |
| Coordinates | 37.3488800, -108.5859300 |
| Altitude | 1887 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Castle Rock
The most populous city in Douglas County, Colorado.
| Population | 70,567 |
| Coordinates | 39.3722100, -104.8560900 |
| Altitude | 1897 |
| Country | United States |
End: Cantril Street (-104.856315, 39.3722)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 642 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 13h 17m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 09h 58m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 07h 58m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 06h 38m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 42m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 58m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $52.07 | $104.14 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $57.50 | $115.01 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $61.83 | $123.65 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $66.70 | $133.39 |
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.