Boulder to Colorado Springs drive: Distance, time & best stops

The best road trip stops on the Boulder to Colorado Springs drive are Denver, Castle Rock and the Spruce Mountain Open Space. The distance from Boulder to Colorado Springs by car is 97 miles, with a 1h30m driving time.

Finding the best things to do between Boulder and Colorado Springs.

The Boulder to Colorado Springs drive connects two of the biggest cities in Colorado.

Boulder CO nuzzles up to the Rocky Mountains. The craggy rock formations known as the Flatirons to the west of the city are hugely popular for hiking.

Other good Boulder activities include ebike tours and guided climbing adventures.

One of the best things you can do from Boulder, however, is a wildlife-spotting day tour of the Rocky Mountain National Park.

Great Boulder accommodation options include the wood-panelled Foot of the Mountain Motel and the heritage-embracing Hotel Boulderado.

Colorado Springs is at the foot of the Rockies – most notably the 14,114ft-high Pikes Peak. You can take a Jeep tour to the top, or go via the cog railway. The other natural highlight is the Garden of the Gods, a park with giant red sandstone formations jutting out towards the sky. Ways of exploring include Jeep tours, ebike adventures and Segway tours.

Other interesting Colorado Springs experiences include falconry classes, food tours, hot air balloon flights and ziplining.

For memorable Colorado Springs accommodation with character, go for the Great Wolf Lodge or the Mining Exchange.

Boulder to Colorado Springs distance and driving time

By car, the distance from Boulder to Colorado Springs is 97 miles. You can expect a driving time of around one hour and 30 minutes. The quickest route is along the US-36 and I-25.

The best stops to add to a Boulder to Colorado Springs road trip itinerary are Denver, Castle Rock and the Spruce Mountain Open Space.

Things to do between Boulder and Colorado Springs: Denver

Top Denver experiences include Rocky Mountain National Park day tours, downtown Denver food tours and chilling guided ghost walks around the Cheeseman Park cemetery.

Also worth considering are whiskey and history tours, guided mountain hikes and craft beer tours.

Memorable Denver accommodation options include the charming Queen Anne Bed and Breakfast and the strikingly stylish Ramble.

Best stops between Boulder and Colorado Springs: Castle Rock

The town of Castle Rock CO has a handful of breweries and even the Honnibrook Craft Meadery. But it’s really about the great outdoors. The rock that gives the town its name is in Rock Park – it’s a short but steep walk to the top. The Gateway Mesa Open Space is another good option for walking and taking in the views.

Perhaps the most fun, however, is the Edge – a massive aerial obstacle course. You can also do a zipline tour here.

Track down the best Castle Rock accommodation deals here.

Boulder to Colorado Springs road trip attractions: Spruce Mountain Open Space

The Spruce Mountain Open Space just south of Larkspur is a forested mesa with lovely views from the flat top. The looping 5.5-mile Spruce Mountain Trail is the way to get there for hikers, bikers and horseback riders. Most people with a reasonable degree of fitness should be fine, although the descent down the eastern side of the circuit is steep.