Colorado Driving Guide

Colorado is a mountainous state with unique driving conditions and safety regulations for traveling by car. Not sure where to start? Familiarize yourself with the driving rules in Colorado before your journey, so you can feel more confident on the road.

Get to know the toll roads, speed limits and car seat requirements for a safe and comfortable drive through Colorado.

Jump to a section:

• Quick rules of the road
• Speed limits
• Toll roads
• Driving ages
• Essential equipment
• Speed violations
• Driving with children
• Gas prices
• Electric car charging
• Driving between Colorado and other states
• Driving conditions

Quick rules of the road

• Pedestrians have an undisputed right of way at all intersections and crosswalks in Colorado.
• Right of way at a four-way stop goes to the first vehicle to arrive.
• Right of way goes to oncoming vehicles when turning left.
• Failure to use a turning signal in Colorado can result in a fine, points on your license and any additional court costs.
• You must have your headlights on from sunset to sunrise when driving in Colorado, or in any conditions where you cannot clearly see at least 1,000 feet ahead of you.
• The Distracted Driving law in Colorado states that no driver of any age may text while behind the wheel. Drivers aged 19 or over may use a cellphone if it’s hands-free, but drivers aged 18 or under are not permitted to use a cellphone at all. Breaking these laws can result in a fine and/or revocation of a license.

Speed limits in Colorado

Colorado has one of the United States’ highest maximum speed limits, with some roads allowing legal travel of up to 75mph. However, the speed limit in Colorado varies greatly depending on the type of road you are on and the weather conditions.

Local authorities have the right to alter the speed limits within their jurisdiction if they believe it is better for traffic conditions, but never to higher than 75mph.

If overtaking an emergency vehicle or a public utility or tow vehicle, Colorado law requires drivers to maintain a reasonable safe speed:

• Where the speed limit is over 45mph, drivers must reduce their speed to 20mph lower than the speed limit
• Where the speed limit is under 45mph, drivers must reduce their speed to 25mph.

In addition to this, when driving through Colorado on the I-70, drivers must obey a minimum speed limit when on an uphill grade of 6%. This is usually no more than 10mph below the speed limit.

The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is required to post clear road signs notifying drivers of any restrictions.

Toll roads in Colorado

Colorado has only three toll roads and no toll bridges or tunnels.

E-470

The E-470 is a 47-mile toll road that crosses the Denver suburbs and serves Denver International Airport. You can access the toll road at different entry and exit points, which will then determine your toll charge.

From: I-25 (in the north)

To: I-25 (in the south)

Cost for car: ExpressToll $13.95 / License Plate Toll $22.25

Cost for truck: ExpressToll $21.20-$26.50 (based on time of day) / License Plate Toll $44.50

How to pay: You can pay automatically through your ExpressToll account if you have one. Go-Pass is also accepted in Colorado. If you do not have either of these tags, you will receive an invoice through the post based on your license plate.

Northwest Parkway

The nine-mile stretch of Northwest Parkway runs from US 36 to the I-25 / E-470 intersection.

From: Broomfield

To: E-470 toll road

Cost for car: $4.80 for main plaza / $1.60 for ramp

Cost for truck: Additional $4.80 per axle at the main plaza, or extra $2.15 per axle at the ramp.

How to pay: You can pay by Go-Pass Regular or License Plate payment, in which case you will receive a bill. You can also use your Go-Pass or ExpressToll account to pay automatically.

Pikes Peak Highway

Pikes Peak Highway runs for 19 miles, from Cascade to Pikes Peak summit. The costs are fixed but change depending on the time of year.

From: Cascade

To: Pikes Peak summit

Cost from May to November: $15 per person / $50 per vehicle

Cost from December to April: $10 per person / $35 per vehicle

Trucks do not usually travel along the Pikes Peak Highway.

How to pay: Tolls for Pikes Peak Highway can only be paid in cash.

Colorado Express Lanes

There are also several Express Lanes in Colorado that drivers who have an ExpressToll account can choose to use to speed up their journey times and reduce congestion.

Express Lanes should never under any circumstances be used as passing lanes and should only be entered and exited through the dashed lines. Entering or exiting an Express Lane over the double white lines can result in a fine of up to $1,000.

Currently, Express Lanes can be found on:

• I-25
• I-70 Mountain Corridor
• Central 70
• US-36
• C-470

Tolls are variable for using Express Lanes, depending on the time of day and the level of congestion. Traveling at peak times will result in higher tolls.

Driving ages and license requirements in Colorado

• The minimum independent driving age in Colorado is 16 – qualified drivers hold a minor license between the ages of 16 and 21, which has restrictions on passengers and a curfew.
• Learners’ permits can be issued from the age of 15 – although a licensed adult must always be in the car. To apply for a full minor license, you must have held a learner’s permit for at least 12 months
• Minor licenses are valid until no more than 20 days after the driver turns 21 – they must then be renewed to obtain a standard license
• The minimum age to rent a car in Colorado is 21 with Hertz.

You can find out more about car rental for young drivers in our Hertz guide for under 25s.

Essential equipment to carry in your car in Colorado

In your vehicle, you must carry at all times:

• Your full and valid driver’s license
• Passport or other form of identification
• Proof of insurance – this will be provided with your rental vehicle
• Warning triangles in case of emergency

Colorado can also have extreme weather and mountainous terrain, so you should also consider carrying a variety of safety items in case of emergencies. While these are not required by law, you may find yourself in need of them.

• Jump cables / portable battery
• Tire chains
• Ice scraper
• Ice melt / bag of kitty litter (to help traction on ice)
• Emergency flares
• Headlamp or flashlight and spare batteries
• Compact shovel
• Extra wiper fluid
• Warm blankets / sleeping bags
• Warm clothing – hats, scarves, gloves etc.
• Bottled water and non-perishable snacks

You can find a list of items you are not permitted to carry in your rental car in your Hertz rental agreement.

Colorado speed violations, infractions and penalties

The penalties for breaking the speed limit in Colorado differ depending on the type and severity of the violation and the area or conditions it occurs in.

• Class A traffic infractions occur when you drive between one and 24mph above the posted speed limit, or when you fail to reduce your speed under hazardous conditions to a “reasonable and prudent” level.
• Class 2 misdemeanor traffic offences occur when you drive 25mph or more above the posted speed limit
• Class 1 misdemeanor traffic offences occur when you drive 25mph or more above the posted speed limit within a construction zone.

The penalties for breaking the speed limit may include fines and surcharges based on how far over the speed limit you were going, as well as possible jail time.

Driving with children in Colorado

All children up to the age of 15 are required by Colorado state law to be properly restrained when in a moving vehicle. This includes using the appropriate type and size of safety seat or restraint for the child’s age and weight. The car seat weight requirements in Colorado are:

• Up to one year old or 20 pounds – rear-facing infant restraint seat to be used in the back of the vehicle.
• One to four years old or 20 to 40 pounds – weight-appropriate rear-facing or forward-facing child restraint seat should be used.
• Up to eight years old - child booster seat should be fitted to manufacturer’s instructions.
• Eight to 15 years old - regular safety belt or child restraint seat should be used, with child properly secured.

Child restraint law in Colorado state is classed as a primary enforcement action. This means you can be stopped and charged for violating the above whether or not you commit any other driving offense. The penalties for violating child restraint law are usually a $65 fine and $6 surcharge.

Gas prices in Colorado

The average gas price in Colorado is $3.87 per gallon.

Based on manufacturers’ average fuel figures:

• For a small car like a Ford Focus, that’s about $0.10 per mile.
• For a larger family car like a Subaru Outback, it works out at around $0.14 per mile.
• And for an SUV like an Infiniti QX80, it’s around $0.22 per mile.

Gas price figure last updated October 18, 2022.

Electric car charging in Colorado

As of October 2022, Colorado state has over 3,300 electric vehicle charging points at more than 1,500 charging stations, including DC Fast Charging Stations and public Level 2 stations.

There are more charging points being added all the time too, making EV rental a great option for your trip to Colorado.

Driving between Colorado and other states

When you rent a car in Colorado with Hertz, you can easily venture into other states for the ultimate road trip.

With one-way rental, you can collect your car in Colorado and drop it off in neighboring states like Oklahoma, Kansas, Wyoming or Utah – or continue towards the west coast and return your rental in Arizona or California

Just let us know when you book where and when you would like to drop off your vehicle.

Driving conditions in Colorado

The mountainous terrain of Colorado means drivers need to be prepared to take precautions all year round. In the winter months, roads can become precarious due to ice and snow. Even in the summer months, some areas of Colorado can dip below freezing.

You should always be prepared when driving in Colorado, especially if you intend to head off the beaten track. The essential equipment section above should help you ensure you are ready for anything.