Origin
Pueblo, CO
Morning in Pueblo on Saturday
Local time
10:29 AM
MDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Pueblo, CO to Paonia, CO
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 42m
Distance
254 mi
409 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$38
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 30m
★
6 AM
6h 42m
8 AM
7h 6m
10 AM
6h 51m
12 PM
6h 48m
3 PM
6h 52m
5 PM
7h 5m
8 PM
6h 35m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Pueblo, CO
Wikimedia Commons
Paonia, CO
Erick Ortega
Trip Overview
The drive from Pueblo, CO to Paonia, CO covers 254 miles and takes about 6h 42m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on East Abriendo Avenue, Lincoln Street, Thatcher Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $38.27 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
127 miles from Pueblo, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 21m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 42m. Total distance: 254 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 42m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 6h 42m drive with frequent turns across 254 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
East Abriendo Avenue is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 42m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 0 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Pueblo, CO to Paonia, CO is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East Abriendo Avenue | — | — |
| Lincoln Street | — | — |
| Thatcher Avenue | — | — |
| US 50 West | — | — |
| North 6th Street | — | — |
| Samuel Wade Road | — | — |
| 3rd Street | — | — |
| Orchard Avenue | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
East Abriendo Avenue
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pueblo, CO and Paonia, CO.
1
Start on Abriendo Avenue
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
Abriendo Avenue
2
Continue on East Abriendo Avenue
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
East Abriendo Avenue
3
Turn left onto Lincoln Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Lincoln Street
4
Continue on Thatcher Avenue
54 mi
·
1 hr 18 min
·
Thatcher Avenue
5
Turn right
16 mi
·
25 min
6
Turn left
7.0 mi
·
12 min
7
Turn left
28 mi
·
45 min
8
Take the exit slight right toward US 50 West
86 mi
·
2 hr 3 min
·
US 50 West
9
Turn right
51 mi
·
1 hr 34 min
10
Continue straight
1.2 mi
·
2 min
11
Turn right onto North 6th Street
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
·
North 6th Street
12
Turn right
7.8 mi
·
12 min
13
Turn right onto Samuel Wade Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Samuel Wade Road
14
Continue on 3rd Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
3rd Street
15
Turn right onto Orchard Avenue
52 ft
·
2 sec
·
Orchard Avenue
16
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 127 miles from Pueblo, CO, or about 3h 21m into the drive.
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 56 miles or 1h 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 127 miles or 3h 21m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Paonia, 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 254 miles and 6h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 127 mi from Pueblo, CO · 3h 21m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
127 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 56 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 127 miles from Pueblo, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Paonia, CO
The final approach into Paonia, 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 Paonia, 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
$38.27 one way
$76.54 round trip
$3.83/gal
25.4 MPG avg
89 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.05 | $40.52 | $81.04 |
| premium | $4.39 | $43.94 | $87.88 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $56.08 | $112.16 |
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: 88.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 76.2 | 0 | $26.67 | $12.19 |
| Efficient EV | 63.5 | 0 | $22.22 | $10.16 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 101.6 | 1 | $35.56 | $16.26 |
Gas CO2
89 kg
EV CO2
30 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.
Destination
Paonia, CO
Morning in Paonia on Saturday
Local time
10:29 AM
MDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
67°F
Center, CO
127 mi in
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
7 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
6h 42m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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 Paonia, CO covers 254 miles and takes about 6h 42m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are East Abriendo Avenue, Lincoln Street, Thatcher Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 127 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 $38.27 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 42m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 0 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Pueblo, CO to Paonia, CO is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Pueblo, CO to Paonia, CO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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