Tucson to Colorado Springs drive: Distance, time & best stops
The best road trip stops on the Tucson to Colorado Springs drive are Deming NM, Albuquerque NM and Raton NM. The distance from Tucson to Colorado Springs is 829 miles, with an 11h39m driving time.
Planning a Tucson to Colorado Springs road trip itinerary
The Tucson to Colorado Springs drive takes you from the Sonoran Desert in Arizona to the Rocky Mountains in Colorado.
Tucson is often used as a base for exploring the Sonoran Desert. But it’s a proper city with an arty streak, a Spanish-tinged history and excellent Mexican food.
Top Tucson experiences include exploring the city’s many murals, taking a self-guided audio tour through Saguaro National Park and canyoneering at Mt Lemmon.
There are also several good bike tours you can do in and around Tucson. Choose from a history-focused ride through the city, e-biking in Saguaro National Park and taco-tasting on two wheels.
For resort-style accommodation in Tucson, take a look at the impressive Casino Del Sol Resort. To stay downtown, within walking distance of several restaurants, try the Leo Kent Hotel.
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.
Tucson to Colorado Springs distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Tucson to Colorado Springs drive is 829 miles. That makes for a driving time of around 11 hours and 39 minutes. The quickest route is along the I-10 and I-25.
The best stops to add to a Tucson to Colorado Springs road trip itinerary are Deming NM, Albuquerque NM and Raton NM.
For more suggestions, check out the guides to the Tucson to Albuquerque drive and Albuquerque to Colorado Springs drive.
Tucson to Colorado Springs road trip attractions: Deming NM
If you want to know more about the backstory of life in the Chihuahuan desert, the Deming Luna Mimbres Museum is pretty good as local history museums go. But Deming NM’s best attractions are two state parks. The City of Rocks State Park is to the north-west, with giant, wind-sculpted, volcanic ash boulders the main lure. The Rockhound State Park is to the southeast. Based around the Little Florida Mountains, it’s a better bet for hiking and camping.
You can also stop for wine-tasting at the Luna Rossa Winery.
Best stops between Tucson and Colorado Springs: Albuquerque NM
Fabulous Albuquerque experiences include a sunrise hot air balloon flight, old town ghost walks, nature tours by bike and guided hops between craft breweries . You can also pay a visit to the castle-like Turquoise Museum and old town food tours focusing on New Mexican flavours.
Great Albuquerque accommodation choices include the historic, adobe-style Casas de Suenos and the old town’s art-filled Hotel Chaco.
Tucson to Colorado Springs drive: 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 Tucson road trips
Albuquerque to Tucson | Bisbee to Tucson | Casa Grande to Tucson | Chandler to Tucson | Dallas to Tucson | Deming NM to Tucson | Tucson to Denver | El Paso to Tucson | Tucson to Flagstaff | Tucson to Grand Canyon (South Rim) | Houston to Tucson | Las Cruces to Tucson | Tucson to Mesa AZ | Phoenix to Tucson | Tucson to Prescott | Santa Fe to Tucson | Tucson to Scottsdale | Tucson to Sedona | Tempe to Tucson | Tucson to Tombstone | Yuma 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 | Phoenix to Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs to Salt Lake City | Colorado Springs to San Antonio | Colorado Springs to Santa Fe | Colorado Springs to Vail.