How far is Vail, CO from Colorado Springs, CO?
The driving distance from Vail, CO to Colorado Springs, CO is about 163.7 miles (263.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 45m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 100 miles (161 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 31m 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 45m.
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.
City in Idaho
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny then Chance Snow Showers
Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Vail and Colorado Springs.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Vail and Colorado Springs.
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1
Start on Wall Street
46 m · 12 sec · Wall Street
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2
Turn left onto Gore Creek Drive
122 m · 18 sec · Gore Creek Drive
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3
Turn slight right onto Willow Bridge Road
146 m · 23 sec · Willow Bridge Road
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4
Turn right onto East Meadow Drive
97 m · 17 sec · East Meadow Drive
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5
Turn left onto Village Center Drive
85 m · 18 sec · Village Center Drive
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6
At the end of the road, turn left onto South Frontage Road East
700 ft · 24 sec · South Frontage Road East
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7
Take the ramp slight right
1391 ft · 34 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Gerald R. Ford Memorial Highway
14.8 mi · 17 min · Gerald R. Ford Memorial Highway
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9
Continue on Grand Army of the Republic Highway
70 mi · 1 hr 24 min · Grand Army of the Republic Highway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward US 6 East: 6th Avenue, Lakewood
1795 ft · 44 sec
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11
Merge slight left onto West 6th Avenue Freeway
7.9 mi · 9 min · West 6th Avenue Freeway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward I 25: Fort Collins, Colorado Springs
1 km · 59 sec
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13
Take the exit slight right toward I 25 South: Colorado Springs
2680 ft · 1 min
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14
Merge slight left onto North Valley Highway
60.6 mi · 1 hr 5 min · North Valley Highway
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15
Continue on Monument Valley Freeway
5.9 mi · 7 min · Monument Valley Freeway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward Bijou Street
1250 ft · 30 sec
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17
Keep slight left to continue on I 25: Downtown
151 m · 14 sec
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18
Turn left onto West Bijou Street
846 ft · 27 sec · West Bijou Street
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19
Continue on West Kiowa Street
972 ft · 35 sec · West Kiowa Street
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20
Continue on East Kiowa Street
1600 ft · 1 min · East Kiowa Street
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21
Turn right onto North Weber Street
150 m · 18 sec · North Weber Street
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22
Turn right onto East Pikes Peak Avenue
129 m · 14 sec · East Pikes Peak Avenue
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East Pikes Peak Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Vail 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.
Grand Army of the Republic Highway
Continue on Grand Army of the Republic Highway
70 mi · 01h 24m
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.
Partly Sunny then Chance Snow Showers leaving Vail and Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Colorado Springs.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Vail to Colorado Springs?
The road trip is about 163.7 miles (263.4 km) and usually takes 02h 45m 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?
Genesee is a useful midpoint, sitting about 81.3 miles from Vail and 82.4 miles from Colorado Springs.
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 63.7 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 12:58 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.34 one way or $42.67 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 51.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Chance Snow Showers around Vail and Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Colorado Springs.
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 Vail and Colorado Springs. Straight-line distance: 100.05 mi (161.01 km).
#1 Vail
Home Rule Municipality in Eagle County, Colorado, United States
| Population | 5,489 |
| Coordinates | 39.6402600, -106.3742000 |
| Altitude | 2496 |
| 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: 263 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 27m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 05m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 16m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 43m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 20m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 02m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $21.34 | $42.67 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $23.56 | $47.13 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $25.34 | $50.67 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $27.33 | $54.66 |
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.