CDOT Rest Area: Pueblo North (Closed)
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Pueblo, CO to Breckenridge, CO
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 24m
Distance
149.3 mi
240 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 12m
★
6 AM
3h 24m
8 AM
3h 49m
10 AM
3h 33m
12 PM
3h 30m
3 PM
3h 34m
5 PM
3h 47m
8 PM
3h 17m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Pueblo, CO
Wikimedia Commons
Breckenridge, CO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Pueblo to Breckenridge is 149.3 miles and takes about 3h 24m via US 24 and CO 9, with a fuel budget near $22 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive takes you from the Mountain West region of Colorado to another part of the Mountain West, offering a mixed driving experience. It's a manageable trip, recommended for a single day, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. Consider this route if you're looking for a straightforward journey through Colorado's varied landscapes.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
74.6 miles from Pueblo, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 31m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 24 | 46.7 mi | 56m |
| Ronald Reagan Highway | 23 mi | 23m |
| CO 9 | 17.2 mi | 27m |
| South Main Street | 15.9 mi | 28m |
| Midland Expressway | 15.7 mi | 23m |
| John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway | 12.9 mi | 12m |
| South Freeway | 6.1 mi | 8m |
| Main Street | 5.6 mi | 10m |
Longest stretch:
US 24
— 46.7 mi, about 56m
Traffic on I-25
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 6 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,315 veh/hr typical · worst 3,815
Quietest
2 AM
~167 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
19.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pueblo, CO and Breckenridge, CO.
1
Start on this road
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
this road
Toward Abriendo Avenue
2
Turn left onto Elm Street
29 ft
·
6 sec
·
Elm Street
3
Take the ramp
165 ft
·
4 sec
4
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
57 sec
5
Merge onto I 25
6.1 mi
·
8 min
·
South Freeway
Use the straight lane.
6
Continue on I 25
13 mi
·
12 min
·
John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 25
23 mi
·
23 min
·
Ronald Reagan Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 25; US 24
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Monument Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit onto US 24
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
US 24
Exit 141
Toward US 24 West: Cimarron Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto US 24
456 ft
·
13 sec
·
US 24
Toward US 24 West: West Cimarron Street West, Manitou Springs, Pikes Peak, Woodland Park
Use the left lane.
11
Merge onto US 24
2.8 mi
·
4 min
·
West Cimarron Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
12
Continue on US 24
16 mi
·
23 min
·
Midland Expressway
13
Keep slight right at fork onto US 24; CO 67
45 mi
·
54 min
·
US 24; CO 67
14
Continue on US 24; CO 9
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
US 24; CO 9
15
Turn right onto CO 9
16 mi
·
25 min
·
CO 9
16
Take the ramp onto CO 9
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
CO 9
17
Turn left onto CO 9
5.6 mi
·
10 min
·
Main Street
18
Continue on CO 9
16 mi
·
28 min
·
South Main Street
Use the straight lane.
19
Turn right onto South Ridge Street
0.5 mi
·
2 min
·
South Ridge Street
20
Turn right onto Wellington Road
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Wellington Road
21
Turn right onto Royal Tiger Road
401 ft
·
12 sec
·
Royal Tiger Road
22
Turn right onto North Pine Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
North Pine Street
23
Arrive at destination
South Pine Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 24m estimated drive time, this trip is easily completed in one day, so you have flexibility with your departure. Leaving Pueblo in the morning will give you ample daylight to reach Breckenridge. While the drive is not excessively long, plan for one stop to stretch your legs and refuel if needed, especially considering the $22 estimated fuel cost. Pay attention to road conditions, particularly on CO 9 as you get closer to the mountain resort town, as weather can change quickly in the Rockies.
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 74.6 miles from Pueblo, CO, or about 1h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 46.7 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 33 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 74.6 miles or 1h 31m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Breckenridge, CO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Pueblo, 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 Pueblo, CO
This is one driving day of about 149.3 miles and 3h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 33 miles from Pueblo, 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 24 for about 46.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
75 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 33 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 74.6 miles from Pueblo, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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: Pueblo South
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Mountain Time Escape Rooms - Sasquatch
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Breckenridge, Colorado
Hours: 10:30 am–10 pm
+19704236556
Visit websiteMountain Top Explorium (Children’s Museum)
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Breckenridge, Colorado
Hours: 9 am–2 pm
+19704537878
Visit websiteRocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
1.5 mi from route
~4 min detour
Woodland Park, Colorado
Hours: 9 am–6 pm
+17196861820
Visit websiteBreckenridge Recreation Center
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Breckenridge, Colorado
Hours: 5:30 am–9 pm
+19704531734
Visit websiteCucumber Gulch Wildlife Preserve
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.2 mi from route
~3 min detour
Breckenridge, Colorado
+19704531734
Visit websiteMineral Palace Park
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
1.9 mi from route
~5 min detour
Pueblo, Colorado
Hours: 6 am–10 pm
+17195532790
Visit websiteCity Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
2.8 mi from route
~7 min detour
Pueblo, Colorado
Hours: 6 am–10 pm
+17195532790
Visit websiteCheyenne Mountain Zoo
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, ~9 min detour
Early stretch
3.7 mi from route
~9 min detour
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+17196339925
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 155 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 44.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Elm Street
Turn left onto Elm Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.7 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
I 25 / South Freeway
Merge onto I 25 / South Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
44.1 mi into trip
|
~48m in
|
US 24
Take the exit onto US 24 toward US 24 West: Cimarron Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 141
Toward US 24 West: Cimarron Street
9
44.4 mi into trip
|
~48m in
|
US 24
Keep slight left at fork onto US 24 toward US 24 West: West Cimarron Street West, Manitou Springs, Pikes Peak, Woodland Park
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward US 24 West: West Cimarron Street West, M...
5
44.5 mi into trip
|
~48m in
|
US 24 / West Cimarron Street
Merge onto US 24 / West Cimarron Street
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.77 one way
$45.53 round trip
$3.87/gal
25.4 MPG avg
52 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.12 | $24.20 | $48.40 |
| premium | $4.45 | $26.17 | $52.35 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $28.19 | $56.38 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 52.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 44.8 | 0 | $15.68 | $7.17 |
| Efficient EV | 37.3 | 0 | $13.06 | $5.97 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 59.7 | 0 | $20.90 | $9.56 |
Gas CO2
52 kg
EV CO2
17 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
Pueblo, CO
Morning in Pueblo on Sunday
Local time
11:42 AM
MDT
Current temp
65°F
Mostly Clear
NNE 0 to 10 mph
3% chance
Live forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 4:46AM MDT until July 20 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Denver CO
Destination
Breckenridge, CO
Morning in Breckenridge on Sunday
Local time
11:42 AM
MDT
Current temp
46°F
Partly Cloudy
S 6 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 4:46AM MDT until July 20 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Denver CO
82°F
Woodland Park, CO
75 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
19 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 24m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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.
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...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
$10
near mile 77.2
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This is a mixed drive, with 58% of the route utilizing highways. You'll encounter stretches on US 24, Ronald Reagan Highway, and CO 9. The longest uninterrupted stretch spans 46.7 miles on US 24, providing a good opportunity to settle in. Expect the road character to evolve as you progress, transitioning between faster highway sections and potentially more winding or local road segments as you approach your destination.
58% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 46.7 mi on US 24.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near Elm Street.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 149.3 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (Elm Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.7 miles (I 25 / South Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 44.1 miles (US 24): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mountain driving with significant elevation changes
11,394 ft
4,691 ft
Total Climb
7,285 ft
Total Descent
2,250 ft
Highest Point
11,394 ft
~138.6 mi in
Elevation Range
6,703 ft
Notable High Points
8,597 ft at ~74.6 miles
+18 ft prominence
8,968 ft at ~96 miles
+143 ft prominence
11,394 ft at ~138.6 miles
+1,300 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Pueblo, CO and Breckenridge, CO, road signs point toward Manitou Springs, Pikes Peak and Woodland Park.
Manitou Springs
44.4 mi in
|
~48m
|
via US 24
Pikes Peak
44.4 mi in
|
~48m
|
via US 24
Woodland Park
44.4 mi in
|
~48m
|
via US 24
About the Cities
Starting 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
Arriving in Breckenridge, CO
Full guide →Founded 1859
Breckenridge is a ski resort and town at the northern tip of the south central region of Colorado, in the Rocky Mountains of the United States of America. It is the prototype of the Western Slope resort cities that have developed following the explosive growth of the ski industry in Colorado.
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 3h 24m. Total distance: 149.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 46.7 miles on US 24. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 3 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 Breckenridge, 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 3 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (Elm Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.7 miles (I 25 / South Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 44.1 miles (US 24): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Breckenridge, CO, but most travelers stay overnight.
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, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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