Origin
Meridian, CO
Late night in Meridian on Friday
Local time
12:56 AM
MDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Compiled by the Trip.ovh editorial team · Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026 · Methodology
Drive Time
1h 45m
Distance
97.6 mi
157 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Meridian, CO
Wikimedia Commons
Pueblo, CO
Wikimedia Commons
This 97.6-mile drive from Meridian to Pueblo, Colorado, will take you about 1 hour and 45 minutes, making it a perfect day trip. You'll spend about 60% of your time on major highways, primarily I-25, Ronald Reagan Highway, and John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $15. This route stays within the Mountain West region, offering a straightforward connection between two Colorado points. Its relatively short duration and manageable mileage mean you won't need to split this trip into multiple days.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
48.8 miles from Meridian, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 52m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 45m. Total distance: 97.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (60%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Expect a mixed drive on this route, with a significant portion, about 60%, being on interstates. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 44.9 miles on I-25. While much of the journey involves efficient highway travel, the overall profile suggests a blend of faster driving and potentially some transitions. This isn't a purely scenic byway, but rather a practical connection designed for getting from point A to point B efficiently.
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near Fisher Street.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 97.6 miles you will encounter 12 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 (Fisher Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.6 miles (East Lincoln Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 2 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto Fisher Street
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto East Lincoln Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Take the ramp toward I 25 South: Colorado Springs
Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto I 25 / Ronald Reagan Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward 13th Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 25 | 44.9 mi | 46m |
| Ronald Reagan Highway | 22.9 mi | 23m |
| John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway | 12.9 mi | 12m |
| Monument Valley Freeway | 8.8 mi | 10m |
| North Freeway | 5.2 mi | 6m |
| East Lincoln Avenue | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Peoria Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Fisher Drive | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Meridian, CO and Pueblo, CO.
Start on Fisher Drive
Turn right onto Fisher Street
Continue on Fisher Street
Turn right onto Peoria Street
Turn right onto East Lincoln Avenue
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 25
Continue on I 25
Continue on I 25; US 24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 25
Continue on I 25
Continue on I 25
Take the exit
Merge onto I 25; US 50
Take the exit
Continue on this road
Merge onto I 25; US 50 Bus
Take the exit
Arrive at destination
Given the short 1 hour and 45-minute duration, this trip offers great flexibility. You can depart whenever suits your schedule, perhaps leaving Meridian in the morning to arrive in Pueblo by late morning. With no designated stops, you can decide to pull over if you need a break or simply push through to your destination. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $15, and plan your refueling accordingly. A good tip is to check local traffic conditions on I-25 before you depart, as this is the main artery for the majority of your drive.
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.
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 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 48.8 miles or 52m 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 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pueblo, CO than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Meridian, CO so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Meridian, CO
This is one driving day of about 97.6 miles and 1h 45m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 48.8 mi from Meridian, CO · 52m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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.
A short stop after about 21 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 48.8 miles from Meridian, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Pueblo, CO usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$14.71 one way
$29.41 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.05 | $15.57 | $31.14 |
| premium | $4.39 | $16.88 | $33.77 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $21.55 | $43.10 |
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: 34.1 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 | $10.25 | $4.68 |
| Efficient EV | 24.4 | 0 | $8.54 | $3.90 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 39 | 0 | $13.66 | $6.25 |
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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Meridian on Friday
Local time
12:56 AM
MDT
Current temp
45°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Pueblo on Friday
Local time
12:56 AM
MDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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