Albuquerque to Colorado Springs Truck Dispatch
Freight route connecting Albuquerque, NM to Colorado Springs, CO (385 miles). Connects Albuquerque to Colorado's aerospace/defense cluster via I-25.
What do truck dispatch rates run from Albuquerque to Colorado Springs?
Albuquerque to Colorado Springs is a 385-mile lane paying about $905 - $1,059 per load, near $2.35 - $2.75 a mile. Freight is mostly aerospace components, defense equipment and consumer goods.
- Distance
- 385 miles
- Avg. rate / load
- $905 - $1,059
- Rate per mile
- $2.35 - $2.75
- Transit time
- 1 day
- Deadhead risk
- 25-30%
Lane rates reviewed September 2026. These numbers follow 2026 spot-market pricing and stay fairly steady given the region's defense freight base. See our dispatch fee structure.
Albuquerque to Colorado Springs
Albuquerque to Colorado Springs is a 385-mile, roughly 6-hour run north on I-25, ending in 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 all generate continuous DOD freight, fuel and oversize-load traffic, and I-25 through the city is the backbone of commercial freight moving between Denver, Albuquerque and El Paso.
Origin
Albuquerque, NM
Destination
Colorado Springs, CO
Distance
385 miles
Transit Time
1 day
Average Rate
$905 - $1,059
Rate per Mile
$2.35 - $2.75
385-mile lane, roughly 6 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
Albuquerque to Colorado Springs: route facts a driver should know
Colorado Springs's aerospace and defense sector added $3 billion in 2024
Colorado Springs's aerospace and defense sector contributed $3 billion to the local economy in 2024, with 55,000-plus aerospace employees across five military installations, including Peterson Space Force Base, home to NORAD and NORTHCOM.
Source: Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC, aerospace and defense overview. Checked 30 Sep 2026.
Kirtland AFB and Sandia Labs anchor Albuquerque's economy
Kirtland Air Force Base contributed $7.5 billion to the Albuquerque-area economy in FY2024, supporting more than 22,000 military and civilian employees. Sandia National Laboratories added a record $5.2 billion in economic impact in 2025.
Source: Albuquerque Journal, Kirtland AFB economic impact coverage. Checked 30 Sep 2026.
Diesel for this lane
How much is the diesel for Albuquerque to Colorado Springs?
About $365.01 this week. The lane is 385 miles. A truck that gets 6.5 miles per gallon uses about 59 gallons, and diesel is averaging $6.16 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 the two regions this lane connects, not the price at each pump. Your mpg and fuel card discounts change it.
- Distance
- 385 mi
- Diesel needed
- 59 gal
- Price used
- $6.16/gal
- Fuel cost
- $365.01
Common Freight Types
Aerospace components, defense equipment and consumer goods fill the trailers heading north.
- Aerospace Components
- Defense Equipment
- Consumer Goods
What makes the Albuquerque 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.
The route crosses northern New Mexico terrain that can see winter weather
The route crosses northern New Mexico terrain that can see winter weather.
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 Albuquerque to Colorado Springs lane?
What travels between Albuquerque and Colorado Springs, and why defense freight matters so much.
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 Albuquerque 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 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. Winter weather in northern New Mexico is the real seasonal risk.
Seasonal Strategy Summary
This lane runs steady year-round, without a major seasonal swing to plan around.
How do I negotiate the best rate on the Albuquerque to Colorado Springs lane?
When to book, who pays extra, and which loads need special handling.
When to Book
Suggested booking window:
2-3 days out is typical for this lane.
What Brokers Pay More
Loads that command more:
Time-critical defense or aerospace equipment freight tends to pay a premium.
When to Avoid
Loads to price carefully:
Be careful committing to a tight window during winter weather in northern New Mexico.
Rate Negotiation Tips for Albuquerque to Colorado Springs
- •
This is a long haul at 320 miles, so plan for a solid one-day trip.
- •
Aerospace and defense-contract freight is worth asking about given Colorado Springs's $3 billion aerospace sector.
- •
Defense and lab-support freight out of Albuquerque is another option here.
How do I find a backhaul load on the Albuquerque to Colorado Springs lane?
Colorado Springs' dense military presence keeps backhaul options realistic.
Best Return Cities
Where to look for the southbound load:
- •Colorado Springs, CO
- •Regional distribution hubs near Colorado Springs
Deadhead Risk %
Deadhead risk on this lane: 25-30%
With Fort Carson, the Air Force Academy and two Space Force bases nearby, this lane has more backhaul stability than most.
Alternative Routes
If the first load falls through, try these:
- •Concentrated defense-sector freight makes this one of the more reliable backhaul lanes in the batch, despite Raton Pass's terrain.
Backhaul Optimization Tips
- •
Colorado Springs's deep aerospace and defense base gives you real backhaul options.
- •
Albuquerque's Kirtland AFB and Sandia Labs base keeps southbound loads flowing too.
- •
Give yourself real recovery time after this run before your next dispatch.
What do experienced dispatchers know about the Albuquerque to Colorado Springs lane?
Three notes before this run north.
Confirm any special handling or security requirements before hauling defense-linked freight.
Check winter conditions across northern New Mexico.
Common Fort Carson service points are near the Fountain Boulevard and Drennan Road interchanges; confirm your exact delivery point.
This lane connects two of the Mountain West's biggest defense and aerospace economies. A strong relationship-building lane for specialized freight.
Albuquerque to Colorado Springs Lane FAQs
Answers on driving time, Colorado Springs' military base, and traffic.
The lane data shows about $905 - $1,059 per load, or $2.35 - $2.75 a mile, across 385 miles.
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 6 hours for the 385 miles, a manageable one-day run.
Reasonably, given the region's dense defense-freight base.
Other New Mexico freight lanes we dispatch
- Albuquerque to San Antonio
- Albuquerque to Oklahoma City
- Albuquerque to Flagstaff
- Albuquerque to Los Angeles
- Albuquerque to El Paso
- Albuquerque to Denver
Local resources
Also serving the other end of this lane
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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