Trip from Pueblo, CO to Derby, CO

Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026

Drive Time

2h 18m

Distance

118.4 mi

191 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$18

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 29 min

4 AM

2h 9m ★

6 AM

2h 18m

8 AM

2h 38m

10 AM

2h 25m

12 PM

2h 23m

3 PM

2h 26m

5 PM

2h 37m

8 PM

2h 13m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Pueblo, CO

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Derby, CO

@coldbeer

Trip Overview

This 118.4-mile drive from Pueblo, Colorado, to Derby, Colorado, will take you about 2 hours and 18 minutes. It's a straightforward trip within the Mountain West region, making it an excellent candidate for a single-day excursion. You'll primarily be on the Ronald Reagan Highway, John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway, and Monument Valley Freeway. With a projected fuel cost of around $18, this route offers an economical journey. The overall feel is that of a turn-heavy local drive, so be prepared for frequent navigation changes.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

59.2 miles from Pueblo, CO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 4m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 18m. Total distance: 118.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Turn-heavy local drive route profile.

Drive Character

Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' personality for this 118.4-mile journey. While only 12% of the route is on highways, you'll encounter some longer stretches, including a significant 78.5-mile segment on the Ronald Reagan Highway. This suggests a route that blends faster-paced highway sections with more intricate local road navigation. The profile indicates that you’ll be making frequent adjustments, so staying attentive to your GPS or directions will be key to a smooth transit.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.

There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Ronald Reagan Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 78.5 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

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 Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 118.4 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 106.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 107 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 12 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

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.

106.7 mi into trip | ~1h 54m in

Take the exit toward CO 2: Colorado Boulevard

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 204 Toward CO 2: Colorado Boulevard

107 mi into trip | ~1h 55m in

Keep slight right at fork toward CO 2: South Colorado Boulevard

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight left lanes. Toward CO 2: South Colorado Boulevard

107.2 mi into trip | ~1h 56m in

Keep slight right at fork toward CO 2 North: Colorado Boulevard

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward CO 2 North: Colorado Boulevard

118 mi into trip | ~2h 16m in | East 77th Avenue

Turn right onto East 77th Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Ronald Reagan Highway	78.5 mi	1h 22m
John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway	12.9 mi	12m
Monument Valley Freeway	8.5 mi	9m
South Freeway	6.1 mi	8m
North Colorado Boulevard	4.8 mi	10m
North Vasquez Boulevard	3 mi	3m
South Colorado Boulevard	2.9 mi	6m
Kimberly Street	0.3 mi	1m

Longest stretch: Ronald Reagan Highway — 78.5 mi, about 1h 22m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Pueblo, CO and Derby, CO.

Start on this road

0.2 mi · 35 sec · this road

Toward Abriendo Avenue

Turn left onto Elm Street

29 ft · 6 sec · Elm Street

Take the ramp

165 ft · 4 sec

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 57 sec

Merge onto I 25

6.1 mi · 8 min · South Freeway

Use the straight lane.

Continue on I 25

13 mi · 12 min · John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 25

23 mi · 23 min · Ronald Reagan Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 25; US 24

8.5 mi · 9 min · Monument Valley Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 25

56 mi · 58 min · Ronald Reagan Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 41 sec

Exit 204 Toward CO 2: Colorado Boulevard Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

0.2 mi · 21 sec

Toward CO 2: South Colorado Boulevard Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

335 ft · 10 sec

Toward CO 2 North: Colorado Boulevard

Turn straight onto CO 2

2.9 mi · 6 min · South Colorado Boulevard

Use the right lane.

Continue on CO 2

4.8 mi · 10 min · North Colorado Boulevard

Use the straight lane.

Merge onto US 6; US 85; CO 2

3.0 mi · 3 min · North Vasquez Boulevard

Turn right onto East 77th Avenue

0.2 mi · 30 sec · East 77th Avenue

Use the right lane.

Turn left onto Kimberly Street

0.3 mi · 1 min · Kimberly Street

Arrive at destination

Kimberly Street

Trip Plan

Given the 2-hour and 18-minute duration, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to allow for a relaxed pace and avoid potential afternoon traffic. While there are no designated stops listed, plan for brief breaks as needed, especially considering the turn-heavy nature of the drive. Keep an eye on your fuel; the estimated cost is $18, but it's always wise to start with a full tank. A specific tip for this route: pay close attention to lane changes when transitioning between the Ronald Reagan Highway, John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway, and Monument Valley Freeway, as these can be frequent.

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 59.2 miles from Pueblo, CO, or about 1h 4m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 78.5 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 80 miles or 1h 26m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 59.2 miles or 1h 4m 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 44m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Derby, 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 118.4 miles and 2h 18m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Pueblo, CO.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.

The longest stretch is on Ronald Reagan Highway for about 78.5 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 59.2 mi from Pueblo, CO · 1h 4m into the drive

county seat of Douglas County, Colorado, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Castle Rock, CO

59 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

Castle Rock, CO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Colorado Springs, CO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 59.2 miles from Pueblo, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Ronald Reagan Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 78.5 miles.

Arriving in Derby, CO

The final approach into Derby, CO usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Derby, CO.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$17.84 one way

$35.68 round trip

$3.83/gal 25.4 MPG avg 41 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.05	$18.89	$37.78
premium	$4.39	$20.48	$40.96
diesel	$5.61	$26.14	$52.28

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$18

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$43–$68

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 41.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $12 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	35.5	$12.43	$5.68
Efficient EV	29.6	$10.36	$4.74
EV Truck/SUV	47.4	$16.58	$7.58

Gas CO2

41 kg

EV CO2

14 kg (66% 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.

Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Pueblo, CO

Afternoon in Pueblo on Thursday

Local time

2:32 PM

MDT

Current temp

80°F

Sunny

SW 10 to 20 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Red Flag Warning

Red Flag Warning issued April 16 at 2:53AM MDT until April 16 at 8:00PM MDT by NWS Goodland KS

Freeze Watch

Freeze Watch issued April 16 at 2:37AM MDT until April 18 at 8:00AM MDT by NWS Denver CO

Destination

Derby, CO

Afternoon in Derby on Thursday

Local time

2:32 PM

MDT

Current temp

79°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

1 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

2h 18m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Pueblo, CO to Derby, CO covers 118.4 miles and takes about 2h 18m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Ronald Reagan Highway, John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway, Monument Valley Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 59.2 miles from Pueblo, CO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $17.84 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

The route from Pueblo, CO to Derby, CO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Trip from Pueblo, CO to Derby, CO

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Who Is This Route For?

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Derby, CO

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Pueblo, CO

Derby, CO

Same local time

1 degrees cooler at arrival

2h 18m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

Explore More

Continue From Derby, CO

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