cactushugger

Please, can someone give me realistic drive times for both peak and off-peak hours? I'll be driving to Old Colorado City. Many thanks!

fmpden

One hour with no traffic. Somewhat longer if there are traffic problems. Realistic enough ?????

the_scarecrow_in_oz

I'd say an hour and a half on a good day - and that's taking the tollway (E470) from the airport down to I-25 at the southern end of the Denver metro area. Maybe 15 to 20 minutes longer if you decide to take an expressway other than the tollway - and even longer if there are traffic problems. The tollway very rarely has any traffic problems, even during rush hours because there are not a lot of people that use it enough to congest it.

Colorado City is another hour beyond Colorado Springs

the_scarecrow_in_oz

Denver airport to Colorado Springs worst case scenario........

3 hours

fmpden

Old Colorado City is a part of the Colorado Springs metro area west of I-25. It is a historical district. Colorado City is a small town off I-25 and 165 south of Pueblo. I assume you are not going there. An hour and half is probably more realistic. But very variable.

the_scarecrow_in_oz

OH!!!!!


never mind.

cactushugger

Thanks everyone. Hmmm, somewhere between an hour and three hours. That helps. So, how much is the toll on the toll road? Also, if I'm not in a hurry, are there any creative eastern (prairrie) routes?
Inquiring minds want to know....

fmpden

I am guessing the toll would be about $5. I have one of those automatic toll readers so I have no idea what the charge is. Often thought that if I really knew what it was costing me I probably would not do it.

If you really want a back road route -- it is little complicated but not a pretty drive --

From airport - Take toll road (470) south around east and south sie of Denver metro area. Toll 470 dumps directly into C470 (no toll). Exit 85 S (also Santa Fe) to Sedalia - just a few miles. Take 67 to Deckers. Continue through Deckers on 67 to 24 at Woodland Park. 24 will take you straight into Colorado Springs and to Old Colorado City. No traffic problems on that route once you leave C470.

Gretchen

What fmpden suggests is an interesting road, but not terribly scenic, as he says. Lots of piney woods, or was the last time we went, maybe before the last forest fire.
Woodland Park has a great dinosaur museum however.

callerid

I think an hour and a half is probably plenty of time. If you take 70, stop at Castle Rock...great outlet, good food, good hiking.

fmpden

I think Callerid means I-25 'cause I-70 will get you no where near Castle Rock. And I ask, where is the good food and good hiking in Castle Rock?

I didn't mean to say that it as not a pretty drive. Meant to say is was not a REAL pretty drive. It runs along and behind the foothills, there is a burned area, but it is rural and certainly a more interesting drive than down I-25 if looking for a little variation. And much better than any eastern grasslands.

cactushugger

Thanks everyone! Sorry to be so long getting back to this. I've been out of town pet sitting... that's how I earn my travel money. I'll try the back route suggested. I won't be in a hurry. And, I truly detest interstates.
Another Fodor's Gretchen

BetsyG

fmpden - although not exactly in Castle Rock, maybe 5 miles away, Castlewood Canyon has great hiking. For restaurants, we love Union American Bistro. Also there's Augustine Grill, Castle Cafe (great fried chicken) & Old Stone Church used to be an old favorite(Now we go to Union). Gabriel's in Sedalia (not far from Castle Rock) is a wonderful treat.
This does not include the restaurants in Castle Pines North. Not that I want to encourage anyone to come down here but you asked.,