Colorado Springs to Salt Lake City drive: Distance, time & stops

Planning a Colorado Springs to Salt Lake City road trip itinerary

The Colorado Springs to Salt Lake City drive connects one of the largest cities in Colorado to the capital of Utah.

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.

Salt Lake City is the home of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, but life here goes beyond the Mormon faith.

Top Salt Lake City experiences include Great Salt Lake boat tours, trips to the world’s largest copper mine and walking tours around highlights such as Temple Square and Pioneer Park.

You can also take introductory bus tours, evening ghost tours and craft brewery tours by bike.

For Salt Lake City accommodation, plump for the SpringHill Suites if you want spacious and downtown. The Grand America Hotel, meanwhile, is more memorable sumptuous.

Colorado Springs to Salt Lake City distance and driving time

By car, the distance from Colorado Springs to Salt Lake City is 589 miles. You can expect a driving time of around eight hours and 55 minutes. The quickest route is along the I-25, US-287 and I-80.

The best stops to add to a Colorado Springs to Salt Lake City road trip itinerary are Laramie WY, Rock Springs WY and Evanston WY.

Colorado Springs to Salt Lake City road trip attractions: Laramie WY

Laramie WY is one of the highest altitude cities in the US – it’s at 7,200ft above sea level. The University of Wyoming is here, and its Geological Museum – with plenty of dinosaurs – is a top attraction.

Others include the 12.5 Abraham Lincoln monument, the Laramie Plains Museum inside the handsome Ivinson Mansion and the Wyoming Territorial Prison Historic Site. The latter brings tales of outlaws and 19th century prison conditions.

Laramie accommodation mainly consists of chain motels. The Best Western and AmericInn are arguably the best bets.

Best stops between Colorado Springs and Salt Lake City: Rock Springs WY

Rock Springs WY can be used as a gateway to Flaming Gorge, which lies to the south near the Utah border. But if passing through, the most intriguing attraction is the Rock Springs Wild Horse Holding Facility. This is where wild horses are brought to when captured before being acclimatised and moved elsewhere. The facility is sometimes open for tours, but if not, there’s a viewing area just to the north of the town.

Colorado Springs to Salt Lake City drive: Evanston WY

Evanston WY is the hub town for the underrated Bear River State Park. You can visit for picnics and playgrounds, kayaking and river swimming, hiking and biking. But the prime reason to spare a few hours in this western Wyoming state park is the wildlife viewing. The herds of bison and elk are pretty easy to spot from the scenic overlooks.

Salt Lake City, Utah.
Salt Lake City, Utah. Photo by Thomas Konings/ Unsplash.

More Colorado Springs road trips

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More Salt Lake City road trips

Salt Lake City to Arches National Park | Boise to Salt Lake City | Cheyenne to Salt Lake City | Dallas to Salt Lake City | Denver to Salt Lake City | Grand Junction to Salt Lake City | Houston to Salt Lake City | Laramie WY to Salt Lake City | Salt Lake City to Moab | Omaha to Salt Lake City | San Antonio to Salt Lake City.