Spanning 220.5 miles across the Colorado Mountain West, this journey from Pueblo to Edwards takes approximately 4 hours and 10 minutes to complete. Given the total duration, you can comfortably tackle this as a single-day trip without needing an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate local routes, including Elm Street, South Freeway, and John F, rather than relying on major interstate systems. With fuel costs estimated at $33, the trip remains budget-friendly for a solo driver or a small group. It is a practical route for those who prefer local roads over high-speed highway travel, providing a straightforward connection between these two Colorado points.
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
110.3 miles from Pueblo, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 59m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 70
97.7 mi
1h 54m
Ronald Reagan Highway
83.8 mi
1h 29m
John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
12.9 mi
12m
Monument Valley Freeway
8.5 mi
9m
West 6th Avenue Freeway
7.6 mi
9m
South Freeway
6.1 mi
8m
Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
0.9 mi
1m
Edwards Access Road
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 70
— 97.7 mi, about 1h 54m
Traffic on I-25
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 14 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~4,216 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,879
Quietest
2 AM
~239 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Edwards, 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
61 mi·1 hr 5 min·Ronald Reagan Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·23 sec
Exit 209A-BToward US 6 West: 6th AvenueUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·53 sec
Exit 209BToward US 6 West: 6th Avenue, LakewoodUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on US 6
0.9 mi·1 min·Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway
13
Keep slight left at fork onto US 6
0.1 mi·10 sec·US 6
Toward US 6
14
Merge onto US 6
7.6 mi·9 min·West 6th Avenue Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.7 mi·55 sec
Toward I 70 West: Grand JunctionUse the slight right lane.
16
Merge onto I 70
98 mi·1 hr 54 min·I 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward Edwards
18
Enter roundabout onto I 70 Business
250 ft·5 sec·Edwards Access Road
19
Continue on I 70 Business
314 ft·6 sec·Edwards Access Road
20
Enter roundabout onto I 70 Business
106 ft·2 sec·Edwards Access Road
21
Continue on I 70 Business
301 ft·6 sec·Edwards Access Road
22
Enter roundabout onto I 70 Business
76 ft·1 sec·Edwards Access Road
23
Continue on I 70 Business
0.4 mi·40 sec·Edwards Access Road
24
Turn right
211 ft·15 sec
25
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a 4-hour and 10-minute drive, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and break up the time behind the wheel. Budgeting $33 for fuel is a safe estimate, but be sure to verify your vehicle’s efficiency before departing to ensure that amount covers your specific needs. Leaving early in the day is a smart move, as it gives you maximum flexibility to manage the turns and local navigation at your own pace. Keep in mind that because this route relies on roads like Elm Street and John F rather than highways, your travel time can be sensitive to local traffic patterns, so check your GPS for real-time updates before you head out.
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 110.3 miles from Pueblo, CO, or about 1h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 97.7 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 49 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 110.3 miles or 1h 59m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Edwards, 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 220.5 miles and 4h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 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 I 70 for about 97.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.7 and 219.9 — 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.
7
112.1 mi into trip|~2h 1m in
Take the exit toward US 6 West: 6th Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 209A-B
Toward US 6 West: 6th Avenue
9
112.2 mi into trip|~2h 2m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 6 West: 6th Avenue, Lakewood
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 209B
Toward US 6 West: 6th Avenue, Lakewood
6
121.3 mi into trip|~2h 14m in
Take the exit toward I 70 West: Grand Junction
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 70 West: Grand Junction
6
219.9 mi into trip|~4h 9m in|I 70 Business / Edwards Access Road
Enter roundabout onto I 70 Business / Edwards Access Road
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.76 one way
$75.53 round trip
$4.35/gal25.4 MPG avg77 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.59
$39.85
$79.69
premium
$4.93
$42.81
$85.61
diesel
$5.35
$46.44
$92.89
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 77.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
66.2
0
$23.15
$10.58
Efficient EV
55.1
0
$19.29
$8.82
EV Truck/SUV
88.2
1
$30.87
$14.11
Gas CO2
77 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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.
Forecast as of Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Pueblo, CO
Afternoon
in Pueblo on Wednesday
Local time
1:08 PM
MDT
Current temp
54°F
Mostly Clear
NNW 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Edwards, CO
Afternoon
in Edwards on Wednesday
Local time
1:08 PM
MDT
Current temp
37°F
Mostly Clear
ESE 5 mph2% chanceLive 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
17 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
4h 10m 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.
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...
25 mi from route
~62 min detour
$10
near mile 45.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as this route features a 0% highway share. Because you are sticking to local roads, you should remain alert for frequent turns and changing road conditions throughout the 220.5-mile journey. The experience behind the wheel is more technical and engaging than a typical highway sprint, requiring your full attention as you navigate the transition from Pueblo toward Edwards. This path avoids the high-speed, long-stretch monotony of major interstates, offering a more hands-on driving experience that changes character as you move through the region.
54% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 97.7 mi on I 70.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 0.7 miles in near I 25 / South Freeway.
Driving Effort9/10
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 220.5 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 112.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 112.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mountain driving with significant elevation changes
10,001 ft4,691 ft
Total Climb
6,966 ft
Total Descent
4,433 ft
Highest Point
10,001 ft
~189 mi in
Elevation Range
5,310 ft
Notable High Points
6,939 ft at ~63 miles+473 ft prominence
10,001 ft at ~189 miles+222 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Pueblo, CO to Edwards, CO, road signs begin pointing toward Lakewood along the way.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 10m. Total distance: 220.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 97.7 miles on I 70. 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 Edwards, 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: at 0.7 miles (I 25 / South Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 112.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 112.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Edwards, CO, but most travelers stay overnight.
