Wray to Pueblo is 246.2 miles and takes about 5h 6m via Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway and US 24, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Colorado, connecting two points in the Mountain West region. Given its relatively short duration and mostly surface road profile, it's a straightforward drive. You'll find it's a practical option if you need to get between these two areas efficiently, with a predictable travel time.
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
123.1 miles from Wray, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 27m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
78.3 mi
1h 18m
Dexter Street
54.4 mi
1h 17m
US 24
53.2 mi
1h 14m
Curtis Road
13.1 mi
16m
John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
12.9 mi
12m
Ronald Reagan Highway
11.2 mi
11m
Bradley Road
5.8 mi
7m
North Freeway
5.2 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 78.3 mi, about 1h 18m
Traffic on I-25
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,606 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,022
Quietest
2 AM
~134 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
19.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Wray, CO and Pueblo, CO.
1
Start on West 6th Street
434 ft·24 sec·West 6th Street
2
Turn left onto Blake Street
210 ft·11 sec·Blake Street
3
Turn right onto West 7th Street
0.1 mi·22 sec·West 7th Street
4
Turn left
301 ft·15 sec
5
Turn left onto US 385
54 mi·1 hr 17 min·Dexter Street
Use the straight lane.
6
Turn left onto I 70 Business; US 24
0.2 mi·33 sec·Rose Avenue
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward I 70 West
8
Merge onto I 70
78 mi·1 hr 18 min·Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight lane.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Exit 359Toward LimonUse the slight right lane.
10
Turn left onto I 70 Business; US 40; US 287; US 24
0.4 mi·58 sec·I 70 Business; US 40; US 287; US 24
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on US 24
53 mi·1 hr 14 min·US 24
Use the straight lane.
12
Turn left
1.0 mi·1 min
13
Continue on Curtis Road
13 mi·16 min·Curtis Road
14
Continue on Bradley Road
5.8 mi·7 min·Bradley Road
15
Turn left onto Marksheffel Boulevard
2.0 mi·2 min·Marksheffel Boulevard
16
Continue on South Marksheffel Road
2.3 mi·3 min·South Marksheffel Road
17
Continue on C and S Road
0.3 mi·33 sec·C and S Road
18
Turn left onto Link Road
1.5 mi·2 min·Link Road
19
Turn right onto Kane Road
0.3 mi·26 sec·Kane Road
20
Continue on REA Road
0.1 mi·17 sec·REA Road
21
Turn right onto East Ohio Avenue
1.4 mi·2 min·East Ohio Avenue
22
Turn left onto CO 85
0.8 mi·1 min·South Santa Fe Avenue
23
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
24
Merge onto I 25
11 mi·11 min·Ronald Reagan Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on I 25
13 mi·12 min·John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Continue on I 25
2.6 mi·2 min·North Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Take the exit
0.4 mi·32 sec
Exit 100BToward 29th Street
28
Merge onto I 25; US 50
1.0 mi·1 min·North Freeway
29
Take the exit
0.1 mi·12 sec
Exit 99BToward 13th StreetUse the slight right lane.
30
Continue on this road
0.2 mi·18 sec·this road
31
Merge onto I 25; US 50 Bus
1.6 mi·2 min·North Freeway
Use the straight lane.
32
Take the exit
107 ft·2 sec
Toward Abriendo Avenue
33
Arrive at destination
Toward Abriendo Avenue
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour drive, starting in the morning allows ample time to reach Pueblo before evening. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing your journey. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you move onto the surface road portions, as gas station availability might be more spread out. The $40 fuel estimate should cover your travel, but it's always wise to have a buffer. Since this is a single-day trip, you can afford to be a little spontaneous with your timing.
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 123.1 miles from Wray, CO, or about 2h 27m 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 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 123.1 miles or 2h 27m 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 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pueblo, CO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Wray, 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 Wray, CO
This is one driving day of about 246.2 miles and 5h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 miles from Wray, 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 244.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Blake Street
Turn left onto Blake Street
Navigation decision point
6
54.9 mi into trip|~1h 19m in
Take the ramp toward I 70 West
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Toward I 70 West
7
133.3 mi into trip|~2h 38m in
Take the exit toward Limon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 359
Toward Limon
6
133.6 mi into trip|~2h 38m in|I 70 Business; US 40; US 287; US 24
Turn left onto I 70 Business; US 40; US 287; US 24
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
7
244.3 mi into trip|~5h 3m in
Take the exit toward 13th Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 99B
Toward 13th Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.54 one way
$75.08 round trip
$3.87/gal25.4 MPG avg86 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.12
$39.91
$79.81
premium
$4.45
$43.16
$86.33
diesel
$4.80
$46.49
$92.97
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
73.9
0
$25.85
$11.82
Efficient EV
61.6
0
$21.54
$9.85
EV Truck/SUV
98.5
1
$34.47
$15.76
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Wray, CO
Late night
in Wray on Sunday
Local time
2:14 AM
MDT
Current temp
94°F
Sunny
NE 0 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 4:46AM MDT until July 20 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Denver CO
Destination
Pueblo, CO
Late night
in Pueblo on Sunday
Local time
2:14 AM
MDT
Current temp
94°F
Sunny
NNE 5 to 10 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 4:46AM MDT until July 20 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Denver 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
5h 6m 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?
You'll spend about 24% of this drive on highways, with the remaining distance on surface roads. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 78.3 miles along the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. Expect a mix of cruising, with a significant portion of your travel involving surface roads after leaving the interstate. This means you'll likely notice more intersections and varying speed limits as you transition from highway speeds to local road travel.
Only 24% 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?
7/10
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 0.1 miles in near Blake Street.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 246.2 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 0.1 miles (Blake Street): Navigation decision point; at 54.9 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 133.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
6,670 ft3,558 ft
Total Climb
3,112 ft
Total Descent
1,978 ft
Highest Point
6,670 ft
~175.9 mi in
Elevation Range
3,112 ft
Notable High Points
6,670 ft at ~175.9 miles+175 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Wray, CO to Pueblo, CO, road signs begin pointing toward Limon along the way.
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 6m. Total distance: 246.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 6m 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.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Pueblo, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Blake Street): Navigation decision point; at 54.9 miles: Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 133.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Pueblo, CO before the return drive.
