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Trip from Pueblo, CO to Meridian, CO

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 47m

Distance

97.8 mi

157 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$15

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 23 min
4 AM
1h 40m ★
6 AM
1h 47m
8 AM
2h 3m
10 AM
1h 53m
12 PM
1h 51m
3 PM
1h 54m
5 PM
2h 3m
8 PM
1h 43m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in and county seat of Pueblo County, Colorado, United States

Pueblo, CO

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Meridian, CO, CO

Meridian, CO

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 97.8-mile journey from Pueblo to Meridian, Colorado, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 1 hour and 47 minutes. You'll primarily travel on the Ronald Reagan Highway, John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway, and Monument Valley Freeway. With a projected fuel cost of $15, this drive is quite economical for a day trip. The route offers a turn-heavy local drive experience, making it suitable for a leisurely pace. Since both your origin and destination are within the Mountain West region, you won't be crossing any major geographical divides, keeping the scenery consistent. This is a straightforward, manageable trip perfect for a short excursion.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

48.9 miles from Pueblo, CO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 53m 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 1.7 mi 2m
RidgeGate Parkway 0.4 mi <1m
Fisher Drive 0.3 mi 1m
Forest Lake Road <0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Ronald Reagan Highway — 66.7 mi, about 1h 8m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Pueblo, CO and Meridian, 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

1.7 mi · 2 min · Peoria Street
14

Turn left onto Forest Lake Road

203 ft · 14 sec · Forest Lake Road
15

Turn left onto Fisher Drive

0.3 mi · 1 min · Fisher Drive
16

Arrive at destination

Fisher Drive

Trip Plan

Given the relatively short duration of about 1 hour and 47 minutes, this trip is best tackled in one go. Leaving early in the morning will allow you to enjoy the entire day at your destination without feeling rushed. You won't need to plan for extended stops, but keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $15. A specific tip for this route: pay close attention to signage as you approach the Monument Valley Freeway, as it's part of the more complex, turn-heavy section. This will help you navigate the local roads smoothly and efficiently.

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 48.9 miles from Pueblo, CO, or about 53m 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 48.9 miles or 53m 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 26m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Meridian, 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 97.8 miles and 1h 47m.

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.

census designated place in El Paso County, Colorado, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Woodmoor, CO

49 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

Fountain, CO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 22 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Colorado Springs, CO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 48.9 miles from Pueblo, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top 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.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Battlefield Colorado

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 48.9

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Hours: Closed

+17192592257

Visit website

Rock Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 83.8

Castle Rock, Colorado

Hours: 5 am–11 pm

+17207332260

Visit website

Castle Rock Adventure Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 83.8

Castle Rock, CO

+17207339477

Visit website

Mineral 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 website

Pulpit Rock Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 48.9

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Hours: 5 am–9 pm

+17193855940

Visit website

Larkspur Community Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 76.8

Larkspur, Colorado

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+13036812324

Visit website

City 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 website

Panorama Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 41.9

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 10

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 97.5 — 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
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
5
97.5 mi into trip | ~1h 46m in | Fisher Drive

Turn left onto Fisher Drive

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$14.74 one way

$29.47 round trip

$3.83/gal 25.4 MPG avg 34 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.05 $15.60 $31.20
premium $4.39 $16.92 $33.84
diesel $5.61 $21.59 $43.19

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$15

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$40–$65

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 34.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 29.3 0 $10.27 $4.69
Efficient EV 24.5 0 $8.56 $3.91
EV Truck/SUV 39.1 0 $13.69 $6.26

Gas CO2

34 kg

EV CO2

11 kg (68% 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Pueblo, CO

Late night in Pueblo on Sunday

Local time

1:59 AM

MDT

Current temp

81°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Meridian, CO

Late night in Meridian on Sunday

Local time

1:59 AM

MDT

Current temp

45°F

Unavailable

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

36 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 47m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

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

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 47.2
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" on this route, meaning you'll encounter frequent changes in direction rather than a straight, monotonous highway stretch. Only about 15% of the drive is on major highways, so be prepared for a more involved navigation experience. The longest uninterrupted section you'll cover is 66.7 miles on the Ronald Reagan Highway. This suggests a significant portion of your trip will involve navigating local roads and intersections, requiring your attention and potentially slowing your overall speed. The character of the drive will likely shift as you transition between these different road types.

Only 15% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
16 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 97.8 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 0.7 miles (I 25 / South Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 94.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

About the Cities

Starting in Pueblo, CO

Full guide →

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.

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 47m. Total distance: 97.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 47m 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.

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 Meridian, 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 0.7 miles (I 25 / South Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 94.9 miles: 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.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Meridian, 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Return Trip

Meridian, CO to Pueblo, CO

Plan the drive back the other way.

97.6 mi 1h 45m

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