CDOT Rest Area: Cortez
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Cortez, CO to Pueblo, CO
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 53m
Distance
314.8 mi
507 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$54
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 42m
★
6 AM
6h 53m
8 AM
7h 16m
10 AM
7h 1m
12 PM
6h 59m
3 PM
7h 2m
5 PM
7h 15m
8 PM
6h 46m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cortez, CO
Wikimedia Commons
Pueblo, CO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Cortez to Pueblo is 314.8 miles and takes about 6h 53m via Santa Fe Avenue and Highway 160, with a fuel budget near $52 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Colorado, moving from the Mountain West region to another part of the Mountain West. The profile suggests a mix of highway and surface roads, so expect varying driving conditions. With only one recommended stop and a drive under seven hours, this route is very manageable for a single day. It's a straightforward transit between two points in Colorado, suitable for those prioritizing efficiency.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
157.4 miles from Cortez, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 35m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Fe Avenue | 71.4 mi | 1h 27m |
| Pagosa Street | 57.8 mi | 1h 20m |
| Highway 160 | 52.7 mi | 1h 8m |
| I 25 Business | 45.3 mi | 46m |
| US 160 | 26.9 mi | 32m |
| Grand Avenue | 17.4 mi | 29m |
| East Mancos Road | 16.4 mi | 24m |
| West U.S. Highway 160 | 12.6 mi | 14m |
Longest stretch:
Santa Fe Avenue
— 71.4 mi, about 1h 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cortez, CO and Pueblo, CO.
1
Start on this road
213 ft
·
17 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto North Market Street
193 ft
·
12 sec
·
North Market Street
3
Turn left onto US 160
1.7 mi
·
4 min
·
East Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Continue on US 160
16 mi
·
24 min
·
East Mancos Road
Use the straight lane.
5
Continue on US 160
27 mi
·
32 min
·
US 160
6
Take the exit onto US 160
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
·
US 160
Toward US 160 East, US 550 South
7
Merge onto US 160; US 550
3.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Camino del Rio
8
Continue on US 160; US 550
53 mi
·
1 hr 8 min
·
Highway 160
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on US 160
2.6 mi
·
5 min
·
San Juan Street
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on US 160
58 mi
·
1 hr 20 min
·
Pagosa Street
11
Continue on US 160
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Grand Avenue
12
Continue on US 160
13 mi
·
14 min
·
West U.S. Highway 160
13
Continue on US 160
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
1st Avenue
14
Continue on US 160; US 285
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
Park Avenue
15
Continue on US 160; US 285
16 mi
·
27 min
·
Grand Avenue
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on US 160; US 285
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
Sixth Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Turn left onto US 285
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
West Avenue
Use the left lane.
18
Turn right onto Fourth Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Fourth Street
19
At end of road, turn left onto US 160; CO 17
521 ft
·
17 sec
·
Denver Avenue
20
Continue on US 160; CO 17
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
Broadway Avenue
21
Continue on US 160
71 mi
·
1 hr 27 min
·
Santa Fe Avenue
Use the straight lane.
22
Turn left onto I 25 Business
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
·
Main Street
Use the left lane.
23
Continue on I 25 Business
210 ft
·
3 sec
·
Main Street
24
Continue on I 25 Business
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Walsen Avenue
25
Continue on I 25 Business
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
US Highway 85/87
26
Take the ramp onto I 25 Business
45 mi
·
46 min
·
I 25 Business
Toward I 25 North: Pueblo
Use the straight / right lanes.
27
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Exit 98A
Toward US 50 Business: Santa Fe Avenue
28
Continue on US 50 Business
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
US 50 Business
29
Turn left onto US 50 Business
436 ft
·
16 sec
·
South Santa Fe Avenue
30
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
31
Merge onto I 25
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
South Freeway
32
Take the exit
107 ft
·
2 sec
Toward Abriendo Avenue
33
Arrive at destination
Toward Abriendo Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 53m estimated duration, starting your drive from Cortez in the morning should allow you to reach Pueblo with daylight to spare. The route data suggests one stop, so plan for a break roughly halfway through, perhaps around the 3-hour mark, to stretch your legs and refuel if needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially since the longest stretch is over 70 miles. The mixed highway and surface road profile means you'll need to adjust your driving style accordingly; be prepared for potential speed limit changes as you transition between road types.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 157.4 miles from Cortez, CO, or about 3h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 71.4 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 69 miles or 1h 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 157.4 miles or 3h 35m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pueblo, CO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Cortez, CO so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Cortez, CO
This is one driving day of about 314.8 miles and 6h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 69 miles from Cortez, CO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Santa Fe Avenue for about 71.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
157 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 69 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 157.4 miles from Cortez, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Santa Fe Avenue if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 71.4 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
CDOT Rest Area: Shaw Creek
0.1 mi from route
Cuerno Verde Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
TA Express
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
1.4 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 155 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 268.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
North Market Street
Turn right onto North Market Street
Navigation decision point
6
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 160 / East Main Street
Turn left onto US 160 / East Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
44.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 1m in
|
US 160
Take the exit onto US 160 toward US 160 East, US 550 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 160 East, US 550 South
5
266 mi into trip
|
~6h in
|
I 25 Business / Main Street
Turn left onto I 25 Business / Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
268.7 mi into trip
|
~6h 5m in
|
I 25 Business
Take the ramp onto I 25 Business toward I 25 North: Pueblo
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 25 North: Pueblo
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$53.63 one way
$107.26 round trip
$4.33/gal
25.4 MPG avg
110 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.58 | $56.71 | $113.43 |
| premium | $4.90 | $60.78 | $121.56 |
| diesel | $6.18 | $76.58 | $153.16 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$54
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$79–$104
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 110.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 94.4 | 1 | $33.05 | $15.11 |
| Efficient EV | 78.7 | 0 | $27.55 | $12.59 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 125.9 | 1 | $44.07 | $20.15 |
Gas CO2
110 kg
EV CO2
37 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Cortez, CO
Night in Cortez on Sunday
Local time
10:15 PM
MDT
Current temp
40°F
Partly Cloudy
ENE 0 to 5 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Pueblo, CO
Night in Pueblo on Sunday
Local time
10:15 PM
MDT
Current temp
74°F
Sunny
E 5 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
34 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 53m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Mesa Verde National Park
National Park
For over 700 years, the Ancestral Pueblo people built thriving communities on the mesas and in the cliffs of Mesa Verde. Today, the park protects the rich cultural heritage of 27 Pueblos and Tribes an...
8 mi from route
~19 min detour
$30
near mile 10.9
View on nps.gov
Yucca House National Monument
National Monument
Yucca House National Monument preserves a large unexcavated pueblo with a stunning setting in Montezuma Valley, nestled between Mesa Verde and Ute Mountain. Since Yucca House was protected as a nation...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
Hovenweep National Monument
National Monument
Hovenweep preserves six prehistoric sites built between 1200 and 1300 CE which may have served as ceremonial centers. Explore a variety of structures, including multistory towers perched on canyon rim...
23 mi from route
~58 min detour
$20
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
About 44% of this drive is on highways, meaning you'll encounter highway speeds for a significant portion. The longest continuous stretch without a major road change is 71.4 miles on Santa Fe Avenue. You'll transition from highway driving to surface roads at various points, so pay attention to posted speed limits. Expect a mix of cruising and potentially more local traffic as you move between highway segments.
44% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 71.4 mi on Santa Fe Avenue.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near North Market Street.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 314.8 miles you will encounter 15 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (North Market Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (US 160 / East Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 44.9 miles (US 160): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mountain driving with significant elevation changes
8,999 ft
4,691 ft
Total Climb
4,276 ft
Total Descent
5,788 ft
Highest Point
8,999 ft
~135 mi in
Elevation Range
4,307 ft
Notable High Points
7,734 ft at ~22.5 miles
+1,238 ft prominence
7,036 ft at ~67.5 miles
+226 ft prominence
8,999 ft at ~135 miles
+1,007 ft prominence
7,651 ft at ~247.4 miles
+16 ft prominence
About the Cities
Starting in Cortez, CO
Full guide →Founded 1886
Cortez is a small city in the Rocky Mountains state of Colorado. It is in the general vicinity of Mesa Verde National Park, Hovenweep National Monument and Canyons of the Ancients National Monument.
Top landmarks
- • Ertel Funeral Home — funeral home in Cortez, Colorado
- • Montezuma Valley National Bank and Store Building — Cortez, CO, listed on the NRHP in Colorado
Arriving in Pueblo, CO
Full guide →Founded 1885
Pueblo, also known as the Steel City or Home of the Heroes, is a city of about 112,000 people in the Eastern Plains of Colorado. It is on the confluence of the Arkansas River and Fountain Creek.
Top landmarks
- • El Pueblo History Museum — local history museum in Pueblo, Colorado
- • Minnequa Steel Works Office Building and Dispensary, Colorado Fuel and Iron Company — commercial building in Pueblo, United States of America
- • Coronado Motel
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 53m. Total distance: 314.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 53m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 71.4 miles on Santa Fe Avenue. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 6 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Pueblo, CO before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 6 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (North Market Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (US 160 / East Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 44.9 miles (US 160): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Mesa Verde National Park, Yucca House National Monument and Hovenweep National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.9 hours each way, a round trip means 13.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Pueblo, CO before the return drive.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Pueblo, CO
More from Cortez, CO
More trips to Pueblo, CO
Explore more options from Cortez, CO or browse trips ending in Pueblo, CO.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse CO road trips.