Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Crested Butte, CO to Pueblo, CO
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 2m
Distance
188.4 mi
303 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 49m
★
6 AM
5h 2m
8 AM
5h 29m
10 AM
5h 12m
12 PM
5h 9m
3 PM
5h 13m
5 PM
5h 28m
8 PM
4h 54m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Crested Butte, CO
Kevin Wiley
Pueblo, CO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Crested Butte to Pueblo is 188.4 miles and takes about 5h 2m via US 50, with a fuel budget near $28 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a single-day, highway-focused drive that stays within Colorado, connecting two points in the Mountain West region. You'll transition from a mountain setting to a more open, high-plains environment. Given the relatively short duration and straightforward route, it's ideal for a single-day excursion rather than requiring an overnight stay.
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
94.2 miles from Crested Butte, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 27m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 50 | 115.2 mi | 3h 9m |
| East Tomichi Avenue | 41.9 mi | 59m |
| CO 135 | 26.5 mi | 43m |
| North Freeway | 2.8 mi | 3m |
| Sixth Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Elk Avenue | 0.4 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
US 50
— 115.2 mi, about 3h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Crested Butte, CO and Pueblo, CO.
1
Start on Elk Avenue
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Elk Avenue
2
Turn right onto Sixth Street
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Sixth Street
3
Continue on CO 135
24 mi
·
38 min
·
CO 135
Use the straight lane.
4
Continue on CO 135
2.7 mi
·
5 min
·
CO 135
Use the straight lane.
5
Turn left onto US 50
42 mi
·
59 min
·
East Tomichi Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
6
Continue on US 50
18 mi
·
29 min
·
US 50
Use the straight lane.
7
Turn left onto US 50
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
US 50
8
Continue on US 50
34 mi
·
55 min
·
US 50
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on US 50
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
US 50
Use the straight / left lanes.
10
Continue on US 50
61 mi
·
1 hr 39 min
·
US 50
Use the straight / left lanes.
11
Continue on US 50
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
US 50
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Take the exit onto US 50
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
·
US 50
Toward I 25 South: Trinidad
Use the right lane.
13
Merge onto I 25; US 50
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
North Freeway
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 100B
Toward 29th Street
15
Merge onto I 25; US 50
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North Freeway
16
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
Exit 99B
Toward 13th Street
Use the slight right lane.
17
Continue on this road
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
this road
18
Merge onto I 25; US 50 Bus
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
North Freeway
Use the straight lane.
19
Take the exit
107 ft
·
2 sec
Toward Abriendo Avenue
20
Arrive at destination
Toward Abriendo Avenue
Trip Plan
With a total duration of just over 5 hours, this is a manageable one-day trip. Aim to depart in the morning to give yourself ample time to reach Pueblo comfortably. You'll encounter one recommended stop, but you can adjust this based on your needs. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 115.2-mile stretch on US 50, as services might be less frequent during that segment. Given the moderate length, you have the flexibility to take your time and enjoy the drive.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 94.2 miles from Crested Butte, CO, or about 2h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 115.2 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 41 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 94.2 miles or 2h 27m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 7m
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 Crested Butte, 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 Crested Butte, CO
This is one driving day of about 188.4 miles and 5h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 41 miles from Crested Butte, 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 US 50 for about 115.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
94 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 41 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 94.2 miles from Crested Butte, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 50 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 115.2 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.
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
2.3 mi from route
Museum of Colorado Prisons
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, right off the route
Final third
0.2 mi from route
~1 min detour
Cañon City, Colorado
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+17192693015
Visit websiteMineral Palace Park
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.9 mi from route
~5 min detour
Pueblo, Colorado
Hours: 6 am–10 pm
+17195532790
Visit websiteCity Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2.8 mi from route
~7 min detour
Pueblo, Colorado
Hours: 6 am–10 pm
+17195532790
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 115 decision points cluster between mile 27.7 and 186.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
27.7 mi into trip
|
~47m in
|
US 50 / East Tomichi Avenue
Turn left onto US 50 / East Tomichi Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
6
184.5 mi into trip
|
~4h 56m in
|
US 50
Take the exit onto US 50 toward I 25 South: Trinidad
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 25 South: Trinidad
5
184.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 57m in
Take the exit toward 29th Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 100B
Toward 29th Street
7
186.4 mi into trip
|
~4h 59m in
Take the exit toward 13th Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 99B
Toward 13th Street
5
186.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 59m in
|
I 25; US 50 Bus / North Freeway
Merge onto I 25; US 50 Bus / North Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.39 one way
$56.77 round trip
$3.83/gal
25.4 MPG avg
66 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.05 | $30.05 | $60.11 |
| premium | $4.39 | $32.59 | $65.18 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $41.60 | $83.19 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 65.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 56.5 | 0 | $19.78 | $9.04 |
| Efficient EV | 47.1 | 0 | $16.49 | $7.54 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 75.4 | 0 | $26.38 | $12.06 |
Gas CO2
66 kg
EV CO2
22 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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
Crested Butte, CO
Late night in Crested Butte on Tuesday
Local time
2:14 AM
MDT
Current temp
41°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Pueblo, CO
Late night in Pueblo on Tuesday
Local time
2:14 AM
MDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
60°F
Salida, CO
94 mi in
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
24 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
5h 2m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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.
Curecanti National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
Three reservoirs and surrounding lands make up this recreation area in western Colorado. It is a landscape of tradeoffs; natural and human made features exist together. Geologic wonders are abundant f...
23 mi from route
~58 min detour
Free
near mile 26
View on nps.gov
Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument
National Monument
Beneath a grassy mountain valley in central Colorado lies one of the richest and most diverse fossil deposits in the world. Petrified redwood stumps up to 14 feet wide and thousands of detailed fossil...
29 mi from route
~72 min detour
$10
near mile 142.9
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is primarily a highway drive, with 77% of the journey on main roads like US 50 and CO 135. Expect a good portion of your time to be spent on US 50, which features a longest uninterrupted stretch of 115.2 miles. The road offers a consistent driving experience, largely free of complex intersections or slow city traffic once you're on the main highway segments. You'll notice the landscape gradually opening up as you head east.
77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 115.2 mi on US 50.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 50 and East Tomichi Avenue. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 27.7 miles in near US 50 / East Tomichi Avenue.
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 188.4 miles you will encounter 11 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: at 27.7 miles (US 50 / East Tomichi Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 184.5 miles (US 50): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 184.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
About the Cities
Arriving in Pueblo, CO
Full guide →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.
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 5h 2m. Total distance: 188.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 115.2 miles on US 50. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 4 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 4 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 27.7 miles (US 50 / East Tomichi Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 184.5 miles (US 50): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 184.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Yes — Curecanti National Recreation Area and Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.0 hours each way, a round trip means 10.1 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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