Pueblo, CO to Wray, CO is 247.1 miles and takes about 5h 7m via Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway and US 24, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Colorado, transitioning from the Mountain West region. It's a mostly surface road trip, offering a good look at the state's varied terrain. Plan for a single day of driving, keeping in mind the estimated 5-hour travel time before factoring in any stops. This route is straightforward for a day trip, making it a convenient option for getting from point A to point B.
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
123.5 miles from Pueblo, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 39m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
78.3 mi
1h 18m
US 24
53.2 mi
1h 14m
8th Street
49.3 mi
1h 9m
South Curtis Road
14.1 mi
18m
John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
12.9 mi
12m
Ronald Reagan Highway
11.2 mi
11m
South Freeway
6.1 mi
8m
Bradley Road
5.9 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 78.3 mi, about 1h 18m
Traffic on I-25
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,574 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,048
Quietest
2 AM
~131 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
19.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 102 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 Wray, 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
11 mi·11 min·Ronald Reagan Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 128Toward US 85: FountainUse the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork
454 ft·11 sec
Toward US 85 North: Fountain, Museum, Parks, Downtown
10
Turn straight onto CO 85
0.7 mi·1 min·Santa Fe Avenue
11
Turn right onto West Ohio Avenue
1.4 mi·2 min·West Ohio Avenue
12
At end of road, turn left onto REA Road
0.2 mi·16 sec·REA Road
13
Continue on Kane Road
0.2 mi·30 sec·Kane Road
14
Turn left onto Link Road
1.5 mi·2 min·Link Road
15
Turn right onto C and S Road
0.3 mi·27 sec·C and S Road
16
Continue on South Marksheffel Road
2.3 mi·3 min·South Marksheffel Road
17
Continue on Marksheffel Boulevard
1.9 mi·2 min·Marksheffel Boulevard
18
Turn right onto Bradley Road
5.9 mi·7 min·Bradley Road
19
Continue on South Curtis Road
14 mi·18 min·South Curtis Road
20
Turn right onto US 24; CO 4
53 mi·1 hr 14 min·US 24; CO 4
21
Continue on I 70 Business; US 40; US 287
0.3 mi·42 sec·I 70 Business; US 40; US 287
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward I 70 EastUse the right lane.
23
Merge onto I 70
78 mi·1 hr 18 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward US 24: Rose AvenueUse the slight right lane.
25
Keep slight left at fork
110 ft·5 sec
26
Turn left onto I 70 Business; US 24
0.3 mi·30 sec·Rose Avenue
27
Turn right onto US 385
49 mi·1 hr 9 min·8th Street
28
Turn straight onto US 385
5.0 mi·8 min·US 385
29
Turn right
301 ft·15 sec
30
Turn right onto West 7th Street
0.1 mi·22 sec·West 7th Street
31
Turn left onto Blake Street
210 ft·11 sec·Blake Street
32
Turn right onto West 6th Street
434 ft·19 sec·West 6th Street
33
Arrive at destination
West 6th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 7m estimated drive time, departing Pueblo, CO in the morning will allow you to reach Wray, CO with plenty of daylight. The recommended single-day trip suggests you won't need to break it up, but if you prefer a more relaxed pace, consider an early start to accommodate one stop. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longer stretches, and note the $39 estimated fuel cost. Since this route is primarily surface roads, be prepared for varying speed limits and potential traffic lights, particularly as you pass through populated areas.
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 123.5 miles from Pueblo, CO, or about 2h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 78.3 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 54 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 123.5 miles or 2h 39m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 3m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wray, 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 247.1 miles and 5h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 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 Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for about 78.3 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.7 and 191.8 — 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
30.9 mi into trip|~33m in
Take the exit toward US 85: Fountain
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 128
Toward US 85: Fountain
7
31.1 mi into trip|~34m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 85 North: Fountain, Museum, Parks, Downtown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 85 North: Fountain, Museum, Parks, Do...
7
113.3 mi into trip|~2h 29m in
Take the exit toward I 70 East
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 70 East
6
191.8 mi into trip|~3h 48m in
Take the exit toward US 24: Rose Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward US 24: Rose Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.09 one way
$84.19 round trip
$4.33/gal25.4 MPG avg87 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.58
$44.52
$89.03
premium
$4.90
$47.71
$95.42
diesel
$6.18
$60.11
$120.22
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
74.1
0
$25.95
$11.86
Efficient EV
61.8
0
$21.62
$9.88
EV Truck/SUV
98.8
1
$34.59
$15.81
Gas CO2
86 kg
EV CO2
29 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 Oct 17, 2026
Origin
Pueblo, CO
Morning
in Pueblo on Sunday
Local time
6:12 AM
MDT
Current temp
29°F
Clear
0 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 5:02AM MDT until October 17 at 9:00AM MDT by NWS Pueblo CO
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 9:15PM MDT until October 17 at 9:00AM MDT by NWS Grand Junction CO
Destination
Wray, CO
Morning
in Wray on Sunday
Local time
6:12 AM
MDT
Current temp
74°F
Sunny
S 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 17 at 5:02AM MDT until October 17 at 9:00AM MDT by NWS Pueblo CO
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued October 16 at 9:15PM MDT until October 17 at 9:00AM MDT by NWS Grand Junction CO
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
45 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 7m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route involves 26% highway driving, with the majority of your travel on surface roads. You'll spend the longest stretch, 78.3 miles, on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway before transitioning to other main roads like US 24 and 8th Street. Expect a mix of cruising and navigating through towns as you cover the 247.1 miles. The profile is mostly surface roads, meaning fewer high-speed sections and more opportunities to observe the local landscape.
Only 26% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 78.3 mi on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. 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 22 significant decision points across 247.1 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 0.7 miles (I 25 / South Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 30.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 31.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
6,689 ft3,558 ft
Total Climb
1,998 ft
Total Descent
3,131 ft
Highest Point
6,689 ft
~70.6 mi in
Elevation Range
3,131 ft
Notable High Points
6,689 ft at ~70.6 miles+170 ft prominence
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 Wray, CO, road signs point toward Museum, Parks and Downtown.
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 5h 7m. Total distance: 247.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 78.3 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 9 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 Wray, 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 9 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 30.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 31.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Wray, CO before the return drive.
