CDOT Rest Area: Pueblo North (Closed)
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Pueblo, CO to Dove Valley, 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
1h 51m
Distance
100.5 mi
162 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$17
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 43m
★
6 AM
1h 51m
8 AM
2h 8m
10 AM
1h 57m
12 PM
1h 56m
3 PM
1h 58m
5 PM
2h 7m
8 PM
1h 47m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Pueblo, CO
Wikimedia Commons
Dove Valley, CO
Regan Dsouza
Trip Overview
This 100.5-mile drive from Pueblo, CO to Dove Valley, CO is manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 1 hour and 51 minutes. You'll navigate using segments of Ronald Reagan Highway, John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway, and Monument Valley Freeway. With a projected fuel cost of around $15, this route offers an economical option for your travels within the Mountain West region. The drive is characterized by frequent turns, suggesting a more local and potentially less direct journey. Given its duration and the nature of the roads, it's best suited for a single day of travel without the need for an overnight stop.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
50.3 miles from Pueblo, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 55m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Ronald Reagan Highway | 66.7 mi | 1h 8m |
| John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway | 12.9 mi | 12m |
| Monument Valley Freeway | 8.5 mi | 9m |
| South Freeway | 6.1 mi | 8m |
| Peoria Street | 3.2 mi | 5m |
| South Potomac Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| East County Line Road | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| RidgeGate Parkway | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Ronald Reagan Highway
— 66.7 mi, about 1h 8m
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 Dove Valley, 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
44 mi
·
45 min
·
Ronald Reagan Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
39 sec
Exit 192
Toward Ridge Gate Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Toward Eastbound RidgeGate Parkway
Use the right lane.
12
Turn straight onto RidgeGate Parkway
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
·
RidgeGate Parkway
13
Turn left onto Peoria Street
3.2 mi
·
5 min
·
Peoria Street
14
Turn slight right
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
15
Turn slight right onto East County Line Road
0.6 mi
·
56 sec
·
East County Line Road
Use the right lane.
16
Continue on South Potomac Street
0.5 mi
·
47 sec
·
South Potomac Street
17
Turn left onto South Potomac Street
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
·
South Potomac Street
Use the left lane.
18
Arrive at destination
South Potomac Street
Trip Plan
For this 1-hour and 51-minute drive, you have the flexibility to leave at your convenience, but an early start can help you avoid any potential local traffic. With no designated stops, plan for brief breaks as needed, especially since the route involves many turns. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $15, and it's always wise to fill up before heading out on a journey with a significant portion on local roads. A good tip for this specific route is to familiarize yourself with the sequence of Ronald Reagan Highway, John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway, and Monument Valley Freeway before you depart to anticipate the transitions.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 50.3 miles from Pueblo, CO, or about 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 66.7 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 22 miles or 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 50.3 miles or 55m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Dove Valley, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Pueblo, CO
This is one driving day of about 100.5 miles and 1h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Pueblo, CO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Ronald Reagan Highway for about 66.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
50 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 22 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 50.3 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 66.7 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
Rock Park
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
Castle Rock, Colorado
Hours: 5 am–11 pm
+17207332260
Visit websitePulpit Rock Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.9 mi from route
~2 min detour
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Hours: 5 am–9 pm
+17193855940
Visit websiteBattlefield Colorado
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
1.6 mi from route
~4 min detour
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Hours: Closed
+17192592257
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
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
2.5 mi from route
~6 min detour
Larkspur, Colorado
Hours: 6 am–8 pm
+13036812324
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 websiteCastle Rock Adventure Park
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2.3 mi from route
~6 min detour
Castle Rock, CO
+17207339477
Visit websiteCheyenne Mountain Zoo
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour
Halfway reset
3.5 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 105 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 95.3 — 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
4
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
Take the ramp
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
94.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 41m in
Take the exit toward Ridge Gate Parkway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 192
Toward Ridge Gate Parkway
7
95.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 42m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Eastbound RidgeGate Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward Eastbound RidgeGate Parkway
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.21 one way
$34.42 round trip
$4.35/gal
25.4 MPG avg
35 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.59 | $18.16 | $36.32 |
| premium | $4.93 | $19.51 | $39.02 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $21.17 | $42.34 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 35.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 30.2 | 0 | $10.55 | $4.82 |
| Efficient EV | 25.1 | 0 | $8.79 | $4.02 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 40.2 | 0 | $14.07 | $6.43 |
Gas CO2
35 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (66% 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
Evening in Pueblo on Wednesday
Local time
5:01 PM
MDT
Current temp
54°F
Mostly Clear
NNW 5 to 10 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Dove Valley, CO
Evening in Dove Valley on Wednesday
Local time
5:01 PM
MDT
Current temp
52°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
SSW 3 mph
17% 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
2 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
1h 51m 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
~60 min detour
$10
near mile 48.5
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' for this 100.5-mile journey, with only about 15% of the route on highways. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 66.7 miles on Ronald Reagan Highway, offering a brief period of more consistent speed before transitioning back to local roads. This road profile means you'll be making frequent adjustments and navigating through a more varied landscape than a pure interstate experience. The drive will likely feel more connected to the communities you pass through due to the emphasis on local roadways.
Only 15% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 66.7 mi on Ronald Reagan Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near Elm 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 100.5 miles you will encounter 10 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 0.2 miles (Elm Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles: Navigation decision point; at 0.7 miles (I 25 / South Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
7,087 ft
4,691 ft
Total Climb
2,428 ft
Total Descent
1,385 ft
Highest Point
7,087 ft
~64.6 mi in
Elevation Range
2,395 ft
Notable High Points
7,087 ft at ~64.6 miles
+249 ft prominence
6,208 ft at ~93.4 miles
+32 ft prominence
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 Dove Valley, 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 1h 51m. Total distance: 100.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 66.7 miles on Ronald Reagan Highway. 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 Dove Valley, CO before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (Elm Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles: Navigation decision point; at 0.7 miles (I 25 / South Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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 Dove Valley, 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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