El Paso to Colorado Springs drive: Best stops, distance & time
The best road trip stops on the El Paso to Colorado Springs drive are White Sands National Park, Santa Rosa NM and Raton NM. The distance from El Paso to Colorado Springs is 566 miles, with an 8h31m driving time.
Planning an El Paso to Colorado Springs road trip
The El Paso to Colorado Springs drive connects the biggest city in west Texas to the Rocky Mountains in Colorado.
El Paso has plenty of stories behind it, some of which are covered on the Ghosts, Haunted Cowboys and Outlaws tour. You can also explore the surrounding landscape on a UTV adventure tour, or going biking, hiking and rock-climbing in Franklin Mountains State Park.
As for other El Paso attractions, the National Border Patrol Museum looks at the work of those who monitor the US’ borders, with a little bit too much emphasis on weaponry. The El Paso Museum of Archaeology, meanwhile, looks at the prehistory of the South West.
To track down the best El Paso hotel deals, head here.
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.
El Paso to Colorado Springs distance and driving time
By car, the distance from El Paso to Colorado Springs is 566 miles. You can expect a driving time of around eight hours and 31 minutes. The quickest route is along the US-54, US-84 and I-25.
The best stops to add to an El Paso to Colorado Springs road trip itinerary are White Sands National Park, Santa Rosa NM and Raton NM.
El Paso to Colorado Springs drive: White Sands National Park
You go to White Sands National Park in New Mexico to be thoroughly dazzled. Part of the Chihuahuan Desert, this national park shows off the world’s largest gypsum dunefield. Waves and waves of startlingly white sand stretch across the horizon, creating an almost wintery landscape when the sun’s rays hit the sand.
The park is to the southwest of Alamogordo NM.
Best stops between El Paso and Colorado Springs: Santa Rosa NM
Santa Rosa NM bills itself as the Scuba diving capital of the Southwest, largely thanks to the Blue Hole. This 81ft deep pool, fed by an artesian spring, is naturally heated to 62 degrees year-round. Divers need a permit, swimmers don’t.
Another alternative for swimming is Park Lake, which is patrolled by lifeguards in summer and has an inflatable obstacle course that’s very popular with children.
Car-lovers, meanwhile, can enjoy the Route 66 Auto Museum.
If stopping for the night, accommodation in Santa Rosa is all motel chains.
El Paso to Colorado Springs road trip attractions: Raton NM
Raton NM lies just to the south of the scenic, 7,834ft-elevation Raton Pass, which straddles the Colorado/ New Mexico border. This was once one of the key points on the Santa Fe Trail. There’s a scenic overlook on the Colorado side, and a camp and café on the New Mexico side.
Raton is also the gateway to the Sugarite Canyon State Park, which offers all manner of outdoor activities and plenty of wildlife viewing.
More El Paso road trips
Abilene to El Paso | El Paso to Albuquerque | Amarillo to El Paso | Austin to El Paso | Dallas to El Paso | Denver to El Paso | Fort Worth to El Paso | El Paso to Galveston | Houston to El Paso | El Paso to Phoenix | San Antonio to El Paso | El Paso to Santa Fe | El Paso to Tucson.
More Colorado Springs road trips
Colorado Springs to Albuquerque | Amarillo to Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs to Aspen | Boulder to Colorado Springs | Castle Rock to Colorado Springs | Chicago to Colorado Springs | Dallas to Colorado Springs | Denver to Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs to Estes Park | Fort Collins to Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs to Glenwood Springs | Grand Junction to Colorado Springs | Houston to Colorado Springs | Kansas City to Colorado Springs | Omaha to Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs to Salt Lake City | Colorado Springs to Vail.