Trip.ovh Logo
Trip.ovh

Trip from Steamboat Springs, CO to Pueblo, CO

Drive Time

5h 20m

Distance

265 mi

427 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$40

one way

EV Charging

None

0 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 7m ★
6 AM
5h 20m
8 AM
5h 47m
10 AM
5h 30m
12 PM
5h 27m
3 PM
5h 31m
5 PM
5h 46m
8 PM
5h 12m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
Downtown Steamboat Springs, CO, CO

Steamboat Springs, CO

Todd Willett

Downtown Pueblo, CO, CO

Pueblo, CO

Franklin Peña Gutierrez

Trip Overview

The drive from Steamboat Springs, CO to Pueblo, CO covers 265 miles and takes about 5h 20m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on North Valley Highway, I 70, US 40 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 60.6 miles on North Valley Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $40.16 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

132.5 miles from Steamboat Springs, CO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 54m into the drive .

Drive Character

The drive from Steamboat Springs, CO to Pueblo, CO covers 265 miles and takes about 5h 20m, using a mix of highways and local roads.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 29 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
North Valley Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 60.6 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

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 89.2 miles in near CO 9.

Route Complexity 9/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 265 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 89.2 miles (CO 9): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 144.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 152.7 miles (US 6): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 17 key points

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

8
89.2 mi into trip | ~2h 1m in | CO 9

Take the exit onto CO 9 toward I 70 East

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

Use the left lane. Toward I 70 East
8
144.5 mi into trip | ~3h 8m in

Take the exit toward US 6 East: 6th Avenue, Lakewood

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 261 Toward US 6 East: 6th Avenue, Lakewood
7
152.7 mi into trip | ~3h 18m in | US 6

Take the exit onto US 6 toward I 25: Fort Collins, Colorado Springs

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 25: Fort Collins, Colorado Springs
6
223.4 mi into trip | ~4h 36m in | I 25 / Ronald Reagan Highway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 25 / Ronald Reagan Highway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
263.1 mi into trip | ~5h 17m 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

Towns Along This Route

Between Steamboat Springs, CO and Pueblo, CO, road signs point toward Lakewood and Colorado Springs.

Lakewood

144.5 mi in | ~3h 8m

Colorado Springs

152.7 mi in | ~3h 18m | via US 6

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
North Valley Highway 60.6 mi 1h 5m
I 70 55.1 mi 1h 6m
US 40 47.4 mi 1h
Colorado River Headwaters Scenic Byway 30.6 mi 40m
Ronald Reagan Highway 22.9 mi 23m
John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway 12.9 mi 12m
Monument Valley Freeway 8.8 mi 10m
West 6th Avenue Freeway 7.9 mi 9m
Longest stretch: North Valley Highway — 60.6 mi, about 1h 5m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on this road

236 ft · 19 sec · this road
2

Turn right onto 5th Street

202 ft · 13 sec · 5th Street
3

Turn left onto US 40

4.3 mi · 7 min · Lincoln Avenue
4

Continue on US 40

0.6 mi · 50 sec · US 40
5

Continue on US 40

47 mi · 1 hr · US 40
6

Turn right onto CO 9

0.3 mi · 34 sec · South 6th Street
Use the right lane.
7

Continue on CO 9

1.1 mi · 2 min · Tyler Avenue
8

Continue on CO 9

31 mi · 40 min · Colorado River Headwaters Scenic Byway
9

Continue on CO 9

5.3 mi · 9 min · CO 9
Use the straight lane.
10

Continue on US 6

0.1 mi · 25 sec · US 6
11

Take the exit onto CO 9

0.3 mi · 24 sec · CO 9
Toward I 70 East Use the left lane.
12

Merge onto I 70

55 mi · 1 hr 6 min · I 70
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 43 sec
Exit 261 Toward US 6 East: 6th Avenue, Lakewood Use the slight right lane.
14

Merge onto US 6

7.9 mi · 9 min · West 6th Avenue Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Take the exit onto US 6

0.6 mi · 59 sec · US 6
Toward I 25: Fort Collins, Colorado Springs Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward I 25 South: Colorado Springs
17

Merge onto I 25

61 mi · 1 hr 5 min · North Valley Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Continue on I 25

8.8 mi · 10 min · Monument Valley Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Continue on I 25; US 24

0.2 mi · 12 sec · Ronald Reagan Highway
20

Keep slight left at fork onto I 25

23 mi · 23 min · Ronald Reagan Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Continue on I 25

13 mi · 12 min · John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22

Continue on I 25

2.6 mi · 2 min · North Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 32 sec
Exit 100B Toward 29th Street
24

Merge onto I 25; US 50

1.0 mi · 1 min · North Freeway
25

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 12 sec
Exit 99B Toward 13th Street Use the slight right lane.
26

Continue on this road

0.2 mi · 18 sec · this road
27

Merge onto I 25; US 50 Bus

1.6 mi · 2 min · North Freeway
Use the straight lane.
28

Take the exit

107 ft · 2 sec
Toward Abriendo Avenue
29

Arrive at destination

Toward Abriendo Avenue

Trip Plan

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 132.5 miles from Steamboat Springs, CO, or about 2h 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 60.6 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 47m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 132.5 miles or 2h 54m 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 29m

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 Steamboat Springs, 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 Steamboat Springs, CO

This is one driving day of about 265 miles and 5h 20m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Steamboat Springs, 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 North Valley Highway for about 60.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 132.5 mi from Steamboat Springs, CO · 2h 54m into the drive

Downtown Applewood, CO, CO

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Applewood, CO

133 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.

Popular next leg

Applewood, CO to Pueblo, CO

121.9 mi · 2h 19m

Pacing Suggestions

Aspen, CO

Fuel and coffee

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

Applewood, CO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 132.5 miles from Steamboat Springs, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before North Valley Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 60.6 miles.

Arriving in Pueblo, CO

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.

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

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

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument

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 219.3
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$40.16 one way

$80.31 round trip

$3.85/gal 25.4 MPG avg 93 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.08 $42.61 $85.22
premium $4.43 $46.25 $92.50
diesel $5.64 $58.87 $117.75

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$40

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$65–$90

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 92.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 79.5 0 $27.83 $12.72
Efficient EV 66.3 0 $23.19 $10.60
EV Truck/SUV 106 1 $37.10 $16.96

Gas CO2

93 kg

EV CO2

31 kg (67% 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 data refreshed 4 days ago

Origin

Steamboat Springs, CO

Afternoon in Steamboat Springs on Monday

Local time

2:43 PM

MDT

Current temp

28°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Pueblo, CO

Afternoon in Pueblo on Monday

Local time

2:43 PM

MDT

Current temp

38°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

10 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

5h 20m 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Steamboat Springs, CO to Pueblo, CO covers 265 miles and takes about 5h 20m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are North Valley Highway, I 70, US 40. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 132.5 miles from Steamboat Springs, CO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $40.16 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 265 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 89.2 miles (CO 9): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 144.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 152.7 miles (US 6): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Steamboat Springs, CO and Pueblo, CO, road signs point toward Lakewood and Colorado Springs.

Was this route helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Return Trip

Pueblo, CO to Steamboat Springs, CO

Plan the drive back the other way.

266.2 mi 5h 23m

Continue From Pueblo, CO

Rangely, CO 387.2 mi · 8h 1m Orchard Mesa, CO 356.4 mi · 6h 41m Grand Junction, CO 353.7 mi · 6h 36m Meeker, CO 335 mi · 6h 37m

More from Steamboat Springs, CO

Colorado Springs, CO 221.6 mi · 4h 36m Grand Junction, CO 200.7 mi · 4h 25m Castle Rock, CO 181.6 mi · 3h 54m Aurora, CO 169.9 mi · 3h 41m Centennial, CO 167 mi · 3h 38m Broomfield, CO 163.8 mi · 3h 35m

More trips to Pueblo, CO

Rangely, CO 386.2 mi Loma, CO 368.7 mi Fruita, CO 363.7 mi Orchard Mesa, CO 355 mi Grand Junction, CO 352.3 mi Meeker, CO 334.1 mi

Explore more options from Steamboat Springs, CO or browse trips ending in Pueblo, CO.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse CO road trips.

Explore maps for Steamboat Springs, CO or Pueblo, CO on MapSof.net.