How far is Sterling, CO from Colorado Springs, CO?
The driving distance from Sterling, CO to Colorado Springs, CO is about 197.8 miles (318.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 51m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 150.6 miles (242.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 42m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 51m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Sterling and Colorado Springs.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sterling and Colorado Springs.
-
1
Start on the route
73 m · 23 sec
-
2
Turn left onto North 3rd Street
84 m · 11 sec · North 3rd Street
-
3
Turn right onto East Chestnut Street
1.4 mi · 3 min · East Chestnut Street
-
4
Continue on US Highway 6
1246 ft · 24 sec · US Highway 6
-
5
Take the ramp slight right toward I 76 West
1715 ft · 43 sec
-
6
Merge slight left
105.8 mi · 1 hr 46 min
-
7
Take the exit slight right toward E470 Toll South: Limon
1.6 km · 2 min
-
8
Merge slight left onto E-470
35.1 mi · 35 min · E-470
-
9
Take the exit slight right toward I 25: Denver, Colorado Springs
1106 ft · 27 sec
-
10
Keep slight left to continue on I 25 South: Colorado Springs
1.2 km · 1 min
-
11
Merge slight left
45.7 mi · 47 min
-
12
Continue on Monument Valley Freeway
5.9 mi · 7 min · Monument Valley Freeway
-
13
Take the exit slight right toward Bijou Street
1250 ft · 30 sec
-
14
Keep slight left to continue on I 25: Downtown
151 m · 14 sec
-
15
Turn left onto West Bijou Street
846 ft · 27 sec · West Bijou Street
-
16
Continue on West Kiowa Street
972 ft · 35 sec · West Kiowa Street
-
17
Continue on East Kiowa Street
1600 ft · 1 min · East Kiowa Street
-
18
Turn right onto North Weber Street
150 m · 18 sec · North Weber Street
-
19
Turn right onto East Pikes Peak Avenue
129 m · 14 sec · East Pikes Peak Avenue
-
20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Pikes Peak Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Sterling and Colorado Springs.
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 76 West
Merge slight left
106 mi · 01h 46m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Sunny leaving Sterling and Sunny near Colorado Springs.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Sterling to Colorado Springs?
The road trip is about 197.8 miles (318.4 km) and usually takes 02h 51m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Lochbuie is a useful midpoint, sitting about 98.9 miles from Sterling and 99 miles from Colorado Springs.
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 47.2 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:48 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $25.81 one way or $51.62 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 62 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Sterling and Sunny near Colorado Springs.
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 Sterling and Colorado Springs. Straight-line distance: 150.58 mi (242.34 km).
#1 Sterling
City in Colorado
| Population | 14,078 |
| Coordinates | 40.6255400, -103.2077100 |
| Altitude | 1200 |
| Country | United States |
#2 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 |
End: East Pikes Peak Avenue (-104.821358, 38.833914)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 318 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 35m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 56m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 57m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 17m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 49m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 28m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $25.81 | $51.62 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $28.51 | $57.01 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $30.65 | $61.30 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $33.06 | $66.13 |
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.