Pueblo to Breckenridge route? (Colorado Springs, Alma: traffic, art, snow)

[tonymont]

What would be the quickest way to get from Pueblo to Breckenridge? 9 looks a little shorter than going I-25 to I-70, but i'm not sure what that road/route is like.
Thanks

[jazzlover]

Well, the traffic on I-25 and I-70 sucks just about anytime, so assuming one can make the speed limit on that route is often a big assumption. As to the other route, once you get over Wilkerson Pass into South Park on US 24 and then onto Colo. 9, the traffic usually isn't much, albeit that it is a two-lane road. Hoosier Pass is not bad unless it's storming. The biggest worry on the 24/9 route is if there is snow on the ground or it is snowing, and the wind starts to blow. South Park blizzards can be miserable. Call or go online and get a road report from CDOT before heading out.

[winglady]

Actually, there's no need to use US 24 to get to Hwy 9. Just head west on US 50 out of Pueblo.

We lived outside of Pueblo and frequently visited our close friends living in Alma. We drove the US 50 to Hwy 9 route to go see them quite often, both summer and winter. It's a beautiful drive, and although there is very little traffic on Hwy 9, it was always as well plowed in winter as the more major highways. We never had any problems driving it.

Note that Hwy 9 does a funny little "jog" when you reach Hartsel. You'll turn West onto US 24 for maybe a mile (or a little less), and then watch for your turn to the right again to resume on Hwy 9. If you miss that right turn, you'll go quite a bit out of your way before intersecting US 285.

[jazzlover]

Originally Posted by winglady

Actually, there's no need to use US 24 to get to Hwy 9. Just head west on US 50 out of Pueblo.

We lived outside of Pueblo and frequently visited our close friends living in Alma. We drove the US 50 to Hwy 9 route to go see them quite often, both summer and winter. It's a beautiful drive, and although there is very little traffic on Hwy 9, it was always as well plowed in winter as the more major highways. We never had any problems driving it.

Note that Hwy 9 does a funny little "jog" when you reach Hartsel. You'll turn West onto US 24 for maybe a mile (or a little less), and then watch for your turn to the right again to resume on Hwy 9. If you miss that right turn, you'll go quite a bit out of your way before intersecting US 285.

You are correct. I misread the original post and assumed the poster was going from Colorado Springs. My bad. I'm with you Winglady, I like the drive up through Guffey and Hartsel. I liked it a lot better before the Front Range water thieves had their way with South Park, but, oh well . . .

[COflower]

I agree with winglady on this.

Besides, 9 up to Hartsel is beautiful and you don't have to deal with C Springs traffic.

I would never recommend to anyone that lives in the Pueblo area to even consider I-25 to I-70. You'd add on a good chunk of time with that route.