Denver to Colorado Springs Truck Dispatch
Freight route connecting Denver, CO to Colorado Springs, CO (70 miles). Connects Denver's distribution base to Colorado Springs's aerospace/defense cluster via I-25.
What do truck dispatch rates run from Denver to Colorado Springs?
Denver to Colorado Springs is a 70-mile lane paying about $200 - $231 per load, near $2.85 - $3.30 a mile, among the highest per-mile rates on this list for a short-haul lane. Freight is mostly aerospace components, defense equipment and consumer goods.
- Distance
- 70 miles
- Avg. rate / load
- $200 - $231
- Rate per mile
- $2.85 - $3.30
- Transit time
- Same day / 1.5 hrs
- Deadhead risk
- 10-15%
Lane rates reviewed September 2026. These numbers follow 2026 spot-market pricing for a short, high-rate-per-mile lane. See our dispatch fee structure.
Denver to Colorado Springs
Denver to Colorado Springs is a short, 70-mile run south on I-25, about 1.5 hours of driving, staying entirely within Colorado's Front Range corridor. Colorado Springs anchors a dense military-and-defense freight economy: Fort Carson, the US Air Force Academy, Peterson Space Force Base, Schriever Space Force Base and the Cheyenne Mountain Complex generate continuous DOD freight, fuel and oversize-load traffic. I-25 through Colorado Springs is the backbone of freight moving between Denver, Albuquerque and El Paso.
Origin
Denver, CO
Destination
Colorado Springs, CO
Distance
70 miles
Transit Time
Same day / 1.5 hrs
Average Rate
$200 - $231
Rate per Mile
$2.85 - $3.30
70-mile lane, about 1.5 hours on I-25
Colorado Springs anchors a dense military-and-defense freight economy
Fort Carson, the Air Force Academy and two Space Force bases all generate freight
Denver to Colorado Springs: route facts a driver should know
Colorado Springs hosts one of the nation's densest military clusters
Colorado Springs is home to Fort Carson, Peterson Space Force Base and Schriever Space Force Base, one of the nation's densest military and defense clusters, driving specialized logistics demand in the Pikes Peak region.
Source: Cubework, 2026 Colorado warehousing and logistics guide. Checked 29 Sep 2026.
A short lane: you likely won't need the 30-minute break
FMCSA requires a 30-minute break after 8 cumulative hours of driving without one. This 70-mile lane runs about 1 hour, so most drivers can finish it without a required break.
Source: FMCSA, Summary of Hours of Service Regulations. Checked 29 Sep 2026.
Diesel for this lane
How much is the diesel for Denver to Colorado Springs?
About $69.16 this week. The lane is 70 miles. A truck that gets 6.5 miles per gallon uses about 11 gallons, and diesel is averaging $6.42 a gallon on this lane (week of October 19, 2026). The U.S. average diesel price is up 10 cents this week.
An estimate. It uses EIA's weekly average for this region, not the price at each pump. Your mpg and fuel card discounts change it.
- Distance
- 70 mi
- Diesel needed
- 11 gal
- Price used
- $6.42/gal
- Fuel cost
- $69.16
Common Freight Types
Aerospace components, defense equipment and consumer goods fill the trailers on this short Front Range run.
- Aerospace Components
- Defense Equipment
- Consumer Goods
What makes the Denver to Colorado Springs lane difficult?
Defense-linked freight can come with strict security or handling requirements
Defense-linked freight can come with strict security or handling requirements.
A short, competitive lane keeps per-load pay modest despite the higher rate per mile
A short, competitive lane keeps per-load pay modest despite the higher rate per mile.
I-25 through Colorado Springs and Fountain can see military-related traffic congestion
I-25 through Colorado Springs and Fountain can see military-related traffic congestion.
What freight moves on the Denver to Colorado Springs lane?
What travels between Denver and Colorado Springs, and why the rate per mile runs high.
Primary Commodities
- •Aerospace Components
- •Defense Equipment
- •Consumer Goods
Secondary Commodities
- •Aerospace components
- •Defense equipment
- •Consumer goods
Seasonal Cargo
Peak seasons for this lane:
- •Aerospace components (steady)
- •Defense equipment (steady)
- •Consumer goods (holiday surge)
When is the Denver to Colorado Springs lane busiest?
Steady defense-sector freight keeps this lane consistent through the year.
Q1 (Jan-Mar): Slow Period?
Little seasonal dip; steady defense freight keeps this short lane consistent year-round.
Q4 (Oct-Dec): Peak Period?
A modest rise in consumer goods around the holidays, on top of a steady defense-freight base.
Produce Season?
Not a factor on this lane.
- •Steady defense/military freight year-round
- •Q4 holiday retail season
- •Military Access, Mobility & Safety Improvement Project activity
Hurricane Risk?
None. This is a short Front Range route with no notable weather risk.
Seasonal Strategy Summary
Defense-connected and general distribution freight both run steady year-round on this short I-25 corridor lane.
How do I negotiate the best rate on the Denver to Colorado Springs lane?
When to book, who pays extra, and which loads need special handling.
When to Book
Suggested booking window:
Same-day to 1-2 days out is typical for this short, fast-turning lane.
What Brokers Pay More
Loads that command more:
Time-critical defense or aerospace equipment freight tends to pay a premium per mile.
When to Avoid
Loads to price carefully:
Be careful committing to a tight window during Front Range commuter rush hour.
Rate Negotiation Tips for Denver to Colorado Springs
- •
Ask about freight connected to Fort Carson, Peterson Space Force Base or Schriever Space Force Base, since defense logistics drives real, specialized demand here.
- •
This lane pairs well with multiple turns in a single day given the roughly 1-hour drive.
- •
Colorado Springs' lower warehouse rates than Denver's urban core can mean steady inbound distribution freight too.
How do I find a backhaul load on the Denver to Colorado Springs lane?
A short lane like this often pairs well with a same-day return load.
Best Return Cities
Where to look for the return load:
- •Colorado Springs, CO
- •Regional distribution hubs near Colorado Springs
Deadhead Risk %
Deadhead risk on this lane: 10-15%
Colorado Springs' dense military presence keeps backhaul options realistic for a lane this short.
Alternative Routes
If the first load falls through, try these:
- •A short round trip plus concentrated defense-sector freight makes this one of the more reliable low-deadhead lanes in the network.
Backhaul Optimization Tips
- •
Colorado Springs' dense military and defense cluster gives this lane a real, specialized backhaul market.
- •
With about 1 hour of driving each way, multiple round trips in a single day are realistic.
- •
Ask brokers about e-commerce distribution freight, since lower local warehouse costs are drawing new tenants.
What do experienced dispatchers know about the Denver to Colorado Springs lane?
Three notes before this short Front Range run.
Confirm any special handling or security requirements before hauling defense-linked freight.
This short lane pairs well with other same-day freight; line up a second load before you go.
Common Fort Carson service points are near the Fountain Boulevard and Drennan Road interchanges; confirm your exact delivery point.
Before you book Denver to Colorado Springs, ask whether your freight is defense-connected, given the density of military installations there.
Denver to Colorado Springs Lane FAQs
Answers on driving time, Colorado Springs' military base, and traffic.
The lane data shows about $200 - $231 per load, or $2.85 - $3.30 a mile, across 70 miles, a high rate per mile typical of a short-haul lane.
It anchors a dense military-and-defense economy: Fort Carson, the US Air Force Academy, Peterson Space Force Base, Schriever Space Force Base and the Cheyenne Mountain Complex all generate continuous DOD freight.
About 1.5 hours for the 70 miles on I-25, an easy same-day run.
Often, yes, given the short distance, if freight lines up on both ends.
Other Colorado freight lanes we dispatch
- Denver to Cheyenne
- Denver to Las Vegas
- Denver to St. Louis
- Denver to Amarillo
- Denver to Grand Junction
- Denver to Boise
Local resources
Dry Van owner-operator, West Coast: +$2,010/week after moving to $2.62/mi on general freight / consumer goods freight.
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