CDOT Rest Area: Pueblo North (Closed)
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Pueblo West, CO to Centennial, CO
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 52m
Distance
96.7 mi
156 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 44m
★
6 AM
1h 52m
8 AM
2h 9m
10 AM
1h 58m
12 PM
1h 56m
3 PM
1h 59m
5 PM
2h 8m
8 PM
1h 47m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Pueblo West, CO
Wikimedia Commons
Centennial, CO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Pueblo West, CO to Centennial, CO is 96.7 miles and takes about 1h 52m via Ronald Reagan Highway, Monument Valley Freeway, and John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway, with a fuel budget near $15 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Colorado's Mountain West region, offering a relatively quick transition between two Colorado communities. Given its short duration and the fact that it's a single-day trip, it's a straightforward option for moving between these areas. You'll spend most of your time on major roadways, making it a practical choice for getting from point A to point B without extensive planning.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
48.4 miles from Pueblo West, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 59m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Ronald Reagan Highway | 70.7 mi | 1h 13m |
| Monument Valley Freeway | 8.5 mi | 9m |
| John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway | 8.2 mi | 8m |
| North Purcell Boulevard | 6.5 mi | 11m |
| East Abeyta Drive | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Campbell Drive | 0.3 mi | 1m |
| North Mc Culloch Boulevard | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| North Matt Drive | 0.3 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Ronald Reagan Highway
— 70.7 mi, about 1h 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pueblo West, CO and Centennial, CO.
1
Start on East Abeyta Drive
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
East Abeyta Drive
2
Turn right onto North Matt Drive
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
North Matt Drive
3
At end of road, turn left onto North Mc Culloch Boulevard
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
·
North Mc Culloch Boulevard
4
Turn right onto Bayview Drive
0.2 mi
·
39 sec
·
Bayview Drive
5
Turn right onto Campbell Drive
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Campbell Drive
6
At end of road, turn right onto Snyder Drive
237 ft
·
15 sec
·
Snyder Drive
7
Turn left onto North Purcell Boulevard
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
North Purcell Boulevard
8
Enter roundabout onto North Purcell Boulevard
123 ft
·
2 sec
·
North Purcell Boulevard
9
Continue on North Purcell Boulevard
6.1 mi
·
10 min
·
North Purcell Boulevard
10
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
11
Merge onto I 25
8.2 mi
·
8 min
·
John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 25
23 mi
·
23 min
·
Ronald Reagan Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 25; US 24
8.5 mi
·
9 min
·
Monument Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 25
48 mi
·
49 min
·
Ronald Reagan Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 196
Toward Dry Creek Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Turn left onto CR 46
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
East Dry Creek Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
17
Turn left onto South Chester Street
0.1 mi
·
30 sec
·
South Chester Street
Use the left lane.
18
Turn left onto East Panorama Circle
0.1 mi
·
39 sec
·
East Panorama Circle
19
Turn left
133 ft
·
11 sec
20
Turn right
472 ft
·
34 sec
21
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
With a drive time of under two hours and a fuel cost estimated at $15, this trip is easily manageable in a single day, offering plenty of flexibility. You could depart in the morning and arrive in Centennial with ample time for activities, or leave later in the afternoon to avoid morning traffic. The 'turn-heavy' nature suggests you'll want to stay attentive to your GPS and road signs, especially as you approach Centennial. Since it's a short drive, you won't need to plan for extensive rest stops, but a quick break around the halfway mark might be comfortable if you choose.
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 48.4 miles from Pueblo West, CO, or about 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 70.7 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 21 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 48.4 miles or 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 1h 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Centennial, CO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Pueblo West, CO so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Pueblo West, CO
This is one driving day of about 96.7 miles and 1h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Pueblo West, 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 70.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
48 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 21 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 48.4 miles from Pueblo West, 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 70.7 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
Pulpit Rock Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Hours: 5 am–9 pm
+17193855940
Visit websiteRock Park
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
Castle Rock, Colorado
Hours: 5 am–11 pm
+17207332260
Visit websiteLarkspur Community Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Larkspur, Colorado
Hours: 6 am–8 pm
+13036812324
Visit websiteMuseum of Outdoor Arts
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.8 mi from route
~5 min detour
Greenwood Village, Colorado
+13038060444
Visit websiteBattlefield Colorado
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
2.6 mi from route
~7 min detour
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Hours: Closed
+17192592257
Visit websiteCastle Rock Adventure Park
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2.2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Castle Rock, CO
+17207339477
Visit websitePanorama Park
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour
Early stretch
3.6 mi from route
~9 min detour
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Visit websiteCheyenne Mountain Zoo
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour
Halfway reset
4.4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+17196339925
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 155 decision points cluster between mile 1.5 and 96.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1.5 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
Snyder Drive
At end of road, turn right onto Snyder Drive
Navigation decision point
5
1.9 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
North Purcell Boulevard
Enter roundabout onto North Purcell Boulevard
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
8.2 mi into trip
|
~17m in
|
I 25 / John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
Merge onto I 25 / John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
95.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 49m in
Take the exit toward Dry Creek Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 196
Toward Dry Creek Road
5
96.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 50m in
|
South Chester Street
Turn left onto South Chester Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.57 one way
$29.14 round trip
$3.83/gal
25.4 MPG avg
34 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.05 | $15.43 | $30.85 |
| premium | $4.39 | $16.73 | $33.46 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $21.35 | $42.70 |
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: 33.8 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 | 0 | $10.15 | $4.64 |
| Efficient EV | 24.2 | 0 | $8.46 | $3.87 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 38.7 | 0 | $13.54 | $6.19 |
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.
Origin
Pueblo West, CO
Morning in Pueblo West on Tuesday
Local time
6:41 AM
MDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Centennial, CO
Morning in Centennial on Tuesday
Local time
6:41 AM
MDT
Current temp
58°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
6 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 52m 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
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 43.4
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 is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' which means you'll experience a mix of faster highway segments and more intricate local road navigation. While 92% of the drive is on highways, the overall feel is less of a pure interstate cruise and more of a connected series of main roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 70.7 miles on Ronald Reagan Highway. Expect to make several turns and adjustments as you progress from Pueblo West to Centennial, rather than a continuous, unchanging highway experience.
Only 9% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 70.7 mi on Ronald Reagan Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.5 miles in near Snyder Drive.
Driving Effort
5/10
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 96.7 miles you will encounter 15 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 1.5 miles (Snyder Drive): Navigation decision point; at 1.9 miles (North Purcell Boulevard): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 8.2 miles (I 25 / John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Arriving in Centennial, CO
Full guide →Founded 2001
Centennial is a suburban city of about 106,000 in the Denver Metropolitan Area of the western U.S. state of Colorado. The city lies in Arapahoe County southeast of Denver.
Top landmarks
- • Seventeen Mile House — historic site in Centennial, Colorado
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 52m. Total distance: 96.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (9%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 70.7 miles on Ronald Reagan Highway. 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.
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 1.5 miles (Snyder Drive): Navigation decision point; at 1.9 miles (North Purcell Boulevard): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 8.2 miles (I 25 / John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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 Centennial, 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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