CDOT Rest Area: Pueblo North (Closed)
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Pueblo, CO to Byers, CO
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 34m
Distance
144.8 mi
233 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 24m
★
6 AM
2h 34m
8 AM
2h 55m
10 AM
2h 41m
12 PM
2h 39m
3 PM
2h 42m
5 PM
2h 54m
8 PM
2h 28m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Pueblo, CO
Wikimedia Commons
Byers, CO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Connecting Pueblo to Byers, this 144.8-mile journey through the Colorado Mountain West typically takes about 2 hours and 34 minutes behind the wheel. Because the route is relatively short, you can easily complete it as a single-day trip without needing an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via Elm Street, the South Freeway, and John F, keeping your travel costs manageable with an estimated fuel budget of $22. This drive offers a straightforward transition between these two Colorado locations, making it a practical choice for those who prefer a direct path. Given the manageable duration, you have plenty of flexibility to adjust your departure time to fit your personal schedule.
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
72.4 miles from Pueblo, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 18m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Ronald Reagan Highway | 68.9 mi | 1h 11m |
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 25.9 mi | 25m |
| E-470 | 19.2 mi | 19m |
| John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway | 12.9 mi | 12m |
| Monument Valley Freeway | 8.5 mi | 9m |
| South Freeway | 6.1 mi | 8m |
| US 36 | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| North Main Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Ronald Reagan Highway
— 68.9 mi, about 1h 11m
Traffic on I-25
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 12 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,880 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~190 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
20.4×
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 Byers, 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
8.5 mi
·
9 min
·
Monument Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 25
46 mi
·
47 min
·
Ronald Reagan Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Exit 194
Toward CO 470 West, E 470 North Toll: Grand Junction, Limon
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 194
Toward E-470 North: Limon
Use the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto E470
19 mi
·
19 min
·
E-470
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
46 sec
Exit 20A
Toward I 70 East: Limon
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork
345 ft
·
10 sec
Toward Colfax Avenue
15
Continue on North Gun Club Road
384 ft
·
7 sec
·
North Gun Club Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
16
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward I 70 East: Limon
17
Merge onto I 70
26 mi
·
25 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit onto US 36
0.4 mi
·
39 sec
·
US 36
Exit 316
Toward US 36 East: Byers
Use the slight right lane.
19
Turn right onto CO 36
0.2 mi
·
47 sec
·
North Main Street
Use the right lane.
20
Turn right onto CO 36
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
CO 36
21
Arrive at destination
CO 36
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 2-hour and 34-minute drive, plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and break up the turn-heavy segments. Since you are navigating local roads rather than major interstates, check your fuel levels before leaving, as the $22 estimated cost can fluctuate based on your vehicle's efficiency. Leaving during daylight hours is highly recommended to better manage the frequent turns and local intersections you will encounter along Elm Street and the South Freeway. Keep a close eye on your GPS, as the lack of highway miles means you will be making more directional changes than a typical cross-state trip. This flexibility allows you to pace the drive comfortably, but stay mindful of local traffic patterns that might affect your arrival time in Byers.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 72.4 miles from Pueblo, CO, or about 1h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 68.9 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 32 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 72.4 miles or 1h 18m 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 6m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Byers, 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 144.8 miles and 2h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 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 Ronald Reagan Highway for about 68.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
72 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 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 72.4 miles from Pueblo, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Ronald Reagan Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 68.9 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: Pueblo South
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.3 mi from route
Pulpit Rock Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Early stretch
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Hours: 5 am–9 pm
+17193855940
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 websiteLarkspur Community Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
1.9 mi from route
~5 min detour
Larkspur, Colorado
Hours: 6 am–8 pm
+13036812324
Visit websiteCastle Rock Adventure Park
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
1.5 mi from route
~4 min detour
Castle Rock, CO
+17207339477
Visit websiteRock Park
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
2.6 mi from route
~6 min detour
Castle Rock, Colorado
Hours: 5 am–11 pm
+17207332260
Visit websiteRailbender Skate & Tennis Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
2.4 mi from route
~6 min detour
Parker, Colorado
Hours: 6 am–10 pm
+13038414500
Visit websiteBattlefield Colorado
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Early stretch
2.7 mi from route
~7 min detour
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Hours: Closed
+17192592257
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 websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 165 decision points cluster between mile 0.7 and 144 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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.
8
97.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 43m in
Take the exit toward CO 470 West, E 470 North Toll: Grand Junction, Limon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 194
Toward CO 470 West, E 470 North Toll: Grand Jun...
8
97.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 44m in
Keep slight right at fork toward E-470 North: Limon
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 194
Toward E-470 North: Limon
7
117 mi into trip
|
~2h 4m in
Take the exit toward I 70 East: Limon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 20A
Toward I 70 East: Limon
7
144 mi into trip
|
~2h 32m in
|
US 36
Take the exit onto US 36 toward US 36 East: Byers
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 316
Toward US 36 East: Byers
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$24.80 one way
$49.60 round trip
$4.35/gal
25.4 MPG avg
51 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.59 | $26.17 | $52.33 |
| premium | $4.93 | $28.11 | $56.22 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $30.50 | $61.00 |
Estimated Tolls: $2.31
E-470
(19.2 mi)
$2.31
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 50.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 43.4 | 0 | $15.20 | $6.95 |
| Efficient EV | 36.2 | 0 | $12.67 | $5.79 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 57.9 | 0 | $20.27 | $9.27 |
Gas CO2
51 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
Afternoon in Pueblo on Wednesday
Local time
2:54 PM
MDT
Current temp
77°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SE 15 mph
25% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Byers, CO
Afternoon in Byers on Wednesday
Local time
2:54 PM
MDT
Current temp
80°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SSE 14 mph
32% 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
3 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
2h 34m 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...
24 mi from route
~61 min detour
$10
near mile 49.9
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. Since the route has a 0% highway share, you will be navigating local roads for the entirety of the 144.8-mile trek. The personality of this drive is defined by frequent turns and varied local road conditions, providing a more engaged experience than a standard highway commute. You won't encounter long, uninterrupted stretches of high-speed pavement, so prepare for a pace that reflects the local character of the landscape. Stay alert, as the winding nature of these roads requires consistent focus as you transition from Pueblo toward Byers.
Only 11% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 68.9 mi on Ronald Reagan Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in near I 25 / South Freeway.
Driving Effort
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 144.8 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 0.7 miles (I 25 / South Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 97.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 97.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
6,878 ft
4,691 ft
Total Climb
2,187 ft
Total Descent
1,674 ft
Highest Point
6,878 ft
~62.1 mi in
Elevation Range
2,187 ft
Notable High Points
6,878 ft at ~62.1 miles
+65 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 Byers, CO, road signs point toward E 470 North Toll: Grand Junction, Limon and E-470 North: Limon.
E 470 North Toll: Grand Junction
97.1 mi in
|
~1h 43m
Limon
97.1 mi in
|
~1h 43m
E-470 North: Limon
97.3 mi in
|
~1h 44m
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 Byers, CO
Full guide →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 2h 34m. Total distance: 144.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 68.9 miles on Ronald Reagan Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.31 in tolls one way, starting with E-470. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
Yes — we found about 5 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 Byers, 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 5 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles (I 25 / South Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 97.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 97.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Byers, CO before heading back.
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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