CDOT Rest Area: Pueblo North (Closed)
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Pueblo, CO to Indian Hills, 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 17m
Distance
123.1 mi
198 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$21
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 8m
★
6 AM
2h 17m
8 AM
2h 36m
10 AM
2h 24m
12 PM
2h 22m
3 PM
2h 25m
5 PM
2h 35m
8 PM
2h 11m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Pueblo, CO
Wikimedia Commons
Indian Hills, CO
Jacob Moore
Trip Overview
This 123.1-mile journey from Pueblo, CO to Indian Hills, CO takes about 2 hours and 17 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. The estimated fuel cost is around $19, which is quite reasonable for the distance covered. You'll primarily be on the Ronald Reagan Highway and CO 470, with a significant portion of the drive on these main roads. The drive offers a mixed experience, suitable for a single-day excursion without the need for an overnight stop. Both your origin and destination are within the Mountain West region, so expect a consistent regional feel throughout.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
61.5 miles from Pueblo, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 7m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Ronald Reagan Highway | 68.9 mi | 1h 11m |
| CO 470 | 18.9 mi | 21m |
| John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway | 12.9 mi | 12m |
| Monument Valley Freeway | 8.5 mi | 9m |
| South Freeway | 6.1 mi | 8m |
| US 285 | 4.2 mi | 6m |
| CO 470 EXPR | 1 mi | 1m |
| Parmalee Gulch Road | 0.3 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 Indian Hills, 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 left at fork
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Exit 194
Toward CO 470 West: Grand Junction
Use the slight left lane.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
Exit 194
Toward CO 470 West: Grand Junction, Quebec Street
Use the slight right lane.
13
Continue on CO 470
6.0 mi
·
6 min
·
CO 470
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
162 ft
·
2 sec
Toward CO 470 Express
Use the slight left lane.
15
Merge onto CO 470 EXPR
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
CO 470 EXPR
16
Take the exit
125 ft
·
1 sec
Toward CO 470 West
17
Merge onto CO 470
13 mi
·
14 min
·
CO 470
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
Exit 5A
Toward US 285 South: Fairplay
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Merge onto US 285
4.2 mi
·
6 min
·
US 285
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Turn right onto CH 120
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
Parmalee Gulch Road
21
Turn left onto Santa Clara Road
465 ft
·
20 sec
·
Santa Clara Road
22
Continue on Santa Clara Road
298 ft
·
13 sec
·
Santa Clara Road
23
Keep slight left at fork onto Hiawatha Trail
173 ft
·
7 sec
·
Hiawatha Trail
24
Arrive at destination
Hiawatha Trail
Trip Plan
Given the manageable 2 hour and 17 minute duration, this trip is best tackled in one go, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Aim to leave in the morning to maximize daylight, especially if you plan any spontaneous stops along the way, although no specific stops are noted on this route. With a fuel cost of approximately $19, you won't need to worry about frequent refueling. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without a major change in road type is 68.9 miles on the Ronald Reagan Highway.
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 61.5 miles from Pueblo, CO, or about 1h 7m 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 27 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 61.5 miles or 1h 7m 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 49m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Indian Hills, 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 123.1 miles and 2h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 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 68.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
62 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 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 61.5 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
Tiny Town & Railroad
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.2 mi from route
~3 min detour
Morrison, Colorado
+13036976829
Visit websiteCivic Green Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.3 mi from route
~3 min detour
Highlands Ranch, Colorado
Hours: 5 am–11 pm
+13037912710
Visit websitePulpit Rock Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
1.8 mi from route
~5 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 websiteRock Park
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
2.7 mi from route
~7 min detour
Castle Rock, Colorado
Hours: 5 am–11 pm
+17207332260
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 websiteKids Wonder
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Centennial, Colorado
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+13038350709
Visit websiteMorrison Natural History Museum
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
3.2 mi from route
~8 min detour
Morrison, Colorado
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+13036971873
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 175 decision points cluster between mile 97.1 and 118.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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 left at fork toward CO 470 West: Grand Junction
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 194
Toward CO 470 West: Grand Junction
9
97.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 45m in
Keep slight right at fork toward CO 470 West: Grand Junction, Quebec Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 194
Toward CO 470 West: Grand Junction, Quebec Stre...
6
104.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 52m in
Take the exit toward CO 470 Express
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward CO 470 Express
7
118.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 8m in
Take the exit toward US 285 South: Fairplay
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 5A
Toward US 285 South: Fairplay
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$21.08 one way
$42.16 round trip
$4.35/gal
25.4 MPG avg
43 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.59 | $22.25 | $44.49 |
| premium | $4.93 | $23.90 | $47.80 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $25.93 | $51.86 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$21
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$46–$71
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 43.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 36.9 | 0 | $12.93 | $5.91 |
| Efficient EV | 30.8 | 0 | $10.77 | $4.92 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 49.2 | 0 | $17.23 | $7.88 |
Gas CO2
43 kg
EV CO2
14 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
Evening in Pueblo on Wednesday
Local time
5:03 PM
MDT
Current temp
77°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SE 15 mph
25% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Indian Hills, CO
Evening in Indian Hills on Wednesday
Local time
5:03 PM
MDT
Current temp
73°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
E 8 mph
39% 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
4 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
2h 17m 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 46.7
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 presents a mixed drive experience, with 31% of the journey on highways. You'll encounter a significant stretch of 68.9 miles on the Ronald Reagan Highway, offering a consistent pace for a good portion of your travel. While not exclusively highway, the majority of the route is on well-maintained main roads, allowing for efficient travel. The character of the drive shifts as you progress, transitioning from more open sections to areas closer to urban centers as you approach your destination.
31% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
24 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?
10/10
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 97.1 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 17 significant decision points across 123.1 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 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; at 97.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
6,932 ft
4,691 ft
Total Climb
3,550 ft
Total Descent
1,383 ft
Highest Point
6,932 ft
~70.3 mi in
Elevation Range
2,241 ft
Notable High Points
6,932 ft at ~70.3 miles
+88 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 Indian Hills, CO, road signs point toward E 470 North Toll: Grand Junction and Limon.
E 470 North Toll: Grand Junction
97.1 mi in
|
~1h 43m
Limon
97.1 mi in
|
~1h 43m
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 Indian Hills, 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 17m. Total distance: 123.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (31%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface 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.
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 Indian Hills, 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. There are 3 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: 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; at 97.7 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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Indian Hills, 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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