Bike path access
0 mi from route
Trip from Pueblo, CO to Telluride, CO
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 22m
Distance
296 mi
476 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$50
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 12m
★
6 AM
7h 22m
8 AM
7h 43m
10 AM
7h 30m
12 PM
7h 27m
3 PM
7h 31m
5 PM
7h 42m
8 PM
7h 16m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Pueblo, CO
Wikimedia Commons
Telluride, CO
gabesdotphotos photographer
Trip Overview
Pueblo to Telluride is 296 miles and takes about 7h 22m via US 50, with a fuel budget near $50 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Colorado, moving from the Mountain West region to another part of the Mountain West. Expect a drive that is mostly highway, making it a straightforward option for a single-day trip. With an estimated fuel cost of $50 and a duration under eight hours, it's a manageable drive for most.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
148 miles from Pueblo, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 46m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 50 | 151 mi | 3h 42m |
| Thatcher Avenue | 53.6 mi | 1h 18m |
| South Townsend Avenue | 25.3 mi | 33m |
| Sherman Street | 23.3 mi | 31m |
| CO 69 | 15.9 mi | 25m |
| CO 145 | 12.7 mi | 21m |
| CR 1A | 7 mi | 12m |
| West Colorado Avenue | 3.5 mi | 8m |
Longest stretch:
US 50
— 151 mi, about 3h 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pueblo, CO and Telluride, CO.
1
Start on this road
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
this road
Toward Abriendo Avenue
2
Continue on East Abriendo Avenue
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
East Abriendo Avenue
3
Turn left onto CO 96
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Lincoln Street
4
Continue on CO 96
54 mi
·
1 hr 18 min
·
Thatcher Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
5
Turn right onto CO 69
16 mi
·
25 min
·
CO 69
Use the straight lane.
6
Turn left onto CR 1A
7.0 mi
·
12 min
·
CR 1A
7
Turn left onto US 50
28 mi
·
45 min
·
US 50
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Take the exit onto US 50
123 mi
·
2 hr 56 min
·
US 50
Toward US 50 West
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Turn left onto South Hillcrest Drive
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
South Hillcrest Drive
10
Enter roundabout onto South Hillcrest Drive
110 ft
·
3 sec
·
South Hillcrest Drive
11
Continue on South Hillcrest Drive
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South Hillcrest Drive
12
Enter roundabout onto Sunnyside Road
21 ft
·
0 sec
·
Sunnyside Road
13
Continue on Sunnyside Road
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
Sunnyside Road
14
Continue on South 12th Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
South 12th Street
15
Turn left onto US 550
25 mi
·
33 min
·
South Townsend Avenue
16
Turn right onto CO 62
23 mi
·
31 min
·
Sherman Street
17
Turn left onto CO 145
13 mi
·
21 min
·
CO 145
18
Enter roundabout onto West Colorado Avenue
105 ft
·
2 sec
·
West Colorado Avenue
19
Continue on West Colorado Avenue
2.9 mi
·
6 min
·
West Colorado Avenue
Use the straight lane.
20
Enter roundabout onto West Colorado Avenue
85 ft
·
4 sec
·
West Colorado Avenue
21
Continue on West Colorado Avenue
0.5 mi
·
2 min
·
West Colorado Avenue
22
Arrive at destination
West Colorado Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 7h 22m estimated drive time, leaving Pueblo in the morning is recommended to make the most of daylight. With only 2 planned stops suggested, you have flexibility in pacing your journey. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the 151-mile stretch on US 50, as services might be less frequent. The estimated fuel cost of $50 is a helpful budget marker for this single-day drive.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 148 miles from Pueblo, CO, or about 3h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 151 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 65 miles or 1h 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 148 miles or 3h 46m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 2m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Telluride, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Pueblo, CO
This is one driving day of about 296 miles and 7h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 miles from Pueblo, CO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 50 for about 151 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
148 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 65 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 148 miles from Pueblo, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 50 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 151 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.
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Telluride Ski Resort
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.8 mi from route
~5 min detour
Telluride, Colorado
Hours: 9 am–4 pm
+18007788581
Visit websiteFree Gondola - Telluride Station
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.1 mi from route
Telluride, Colorado
Visit websiteTown Park
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Telluride, Colorado
Hours: Open 24 hours
+19707282173
Telluride Visitors Center & Tourism Board
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0 mi from route
Telluride, Colorado
Hours: 8 am–6 pm
+18888687169
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 websiteMontrose Children's Museum
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
1.6 mi from route
~4 min detour
Montrose, Colorado
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+19709649995
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 websiteMt. Sneffels Trailhead
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, ~11 min detour
Home stretch
4.3 mi from route
~11 min detour
Ridgway, Colorado
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 1.4 and 230 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
1.4 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
CO 96 / Lincoln Street
Turn left onto CO 96 / Lincoln Street
Navigation decision point
6
55.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 22m in
|
CO 69
Turn right onto CO 69
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
78.5 mi into trip
|
~2h in
|
US 50
Turn left onto US 50
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
106.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 46m in
|
US 50
Take the exit onto US 50 toward US 50 West
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward US 50 West
4
230 mi into trip
|
~5h 44m in
|
South Hillcrest Drive
Enter roundabout onto South Hillcrest Drive
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$50.42 one way
$100.85 round trip
$4.33/gal
25.4 MPG avg
104 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.58 | $53.33 | $106.65 |
| premium | $4.90 | $57.15 | $114.30 |
| diesel | $6.18 | $72.01 | $144.01 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$50
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$75–$100
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 103.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 88.8 | 1 | $31.08 | $14.21 |
| Efficient EV | 74 | 0 | $25.90 | $11.84 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 118.4 | 1 | $41.44 | $18.94 |
Gas CO2
104 kg
EV CO2
35 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Late night in Pueblo on Tuesday
Local time
3:31 AM
MDT
Current temp
73°F
Mostly Sunny
ESE 10 mph
2% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Telluride, CO
Late night in Telluride on Tuesday
Local time
3:31 AM
MDT
Current temp
55°F
Chance Rain Showers
WSW 0 to 5 mph
34% 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
18 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
7h 22m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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.
Curecanti National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
Three reservoirs and surrounding lands make up this recreation area in western Colorado. It is a landscape of tradeoffs; natural and human made features exist together. Geologic wonders are abundant f...
2 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 193.9
Danger: Toxic Algae Found – Blue Mesa Water Quality Advisory
Caution: Stage 1 Fire Restrictions in Effect
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park
National Park
Big enough to be overwhelming, yet still intimate enough to feel the pulse of time. Come see some of the steepest cliffs, oldest rock, and craggiest spires in North America. Forces of nature and the G...
7 mi from route
~16 min detour
$30
near mile 224.6
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly highway, with 61% of the 296 miles on major roads like US 50. You'll experience a long stretch of 151 miles on US 50 before transitioning to surface roads. Expect rural cruising for significant portions of this trip. The route is characterized by its predominantly highway nature, with fewer frequent exits as you progress.
61% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 151 mi on US 50.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 50 and Thatcher Avenue. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 1.4 miles in near CO 96 / Lincoln Street.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The route itself is not hard, but at 7h 22m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 13 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.4 miles (CO 96 / Lincoln Street): Navigation decision point; at 55.7 miles (CO 69): Lane positioning matters here; at 78.5 miles (US 50): Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mountain driving with significant elevation changes
10,592 ft
4,691 ft
Total Climb
11,150 ft
Total Descent
7,052 ft
Highest Point
10,592 ft
~126.9 mi in
Elevation Range
5,901 ft
Notable High Points
8,924 ft at ~42.3 miles
+1,187 ft prominence
10,592 ft at ~126.9 miles
+2,505 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
- • First Congregational Church — church building in Colorado, United States of America
- • Minnequa Steel Works Office Building and Dispensary, Colorado Fuel and Iron Company — commercial building in Pueblo, United States of America
Arriving in Telluride, CO
Full guide →Founded 1878
Telluride is in the southern Rocky Mountains approximately 100 miles (160 km) from Four Corners, the intersection of Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah. Telluride is home to the Telluride Ski Resort, and home of an independent film festival.
Top landmarks
- • Telluride Historic District — historic district in Colorado, United States
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 7h 22m. Total distance: 296 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 22m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (61%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 151 miles on US 50. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 2 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 is a long drive, so arriving tired and in the dark compounds. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Telluride, 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 2 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.4 miles (CO 96 / Lincoln Street): Navigation decision point; at 55.7 miles (CO 69): Lane positioning matters here; at 78.5 miles (US 50): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Curecanti National Recreation Area and Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.4 hours each way, a round trip means 14.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Telluride, CO before the return drive.
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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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