If you’ve searched for a Tesla Supercharger near Salida, Colorado and come up empty, you’re not imagining things — Salida itself has none. Drive about six minutes south on US Highway 285, though, and you’ll find eight of them, running around the clock in the parking lot of a small-town gas station and deli called Poncha Market.
This guide covers exactly where the station is, what the charging hardware actually delivers, and — since you’ll have 20 to 30 minutes to spend anyway — where to get a real meal instead of a bag of gas station chips. If you’re routing here specifically from Denver, see our full Denver-to-Poncha-Springs Tesla road trip guide for the drive itself.
Why This Stop Matters for EV Road-Trippers
Central Colorado is a tricky stretch for range anxiety. Between Denver and the Western Slope, elevation swings from around 5,000 feet to well over 9,000 feet at mountain passes, and cold weather at altitude can noticeably cut into a Tesla’s real-world range compared to the estimate on the dash.
That makes a reliable, fast, 24-hour charging stop at a predictable location genuinely useful — not just a nice-to-have. Poncha Springs fills that role for the US-285 corridor the way a handful of other small-town Superchargers do for other Colorado highways.
Where Is the Poncha Springs Supercharger, Exactly?
The station sits at 6250 US Highway 285 in Poncha Springs, Colorado, at Poncha Market — a family-owned deli, convenience store, and gas station right at the junction of US-50 and US-285, an intersection locals call the “Crossroads of Colorado.”
That location matters more than it sounds. Poncha Springs sits between two major travel corridors: the route north through Buena Vista toward Denver, and the route west over Monarch Pass toward Gunnison and the Western Slope. If your Tesla is routing you through central Colorado on US-285, there’s a good chance this is the stop it already has planned.
What to Expect: Charging Speed and Hardware
The station has 8 charging stalls, available 24 hours a day. Independent listings and driver reports consistently describe the setup the same way:
| Detail | What Drivers Report |
|---|---|
| Charging stalls | 8 |
| Connector type | NACS (Tesla’s native plug) |
| Availability | 24 hours a day, 7 days a week |
| Max charging power | Up to 150kW on compatible vehicles |
| Amenities on-site | Restrooms, WiFi, wheelchair access, credit cards accepted |
| Nearest full-service restaurants | Mostly in Salida, not within walking distance |
For most Tesla models arriving with a partly depleted battery, that’s enough power to add well over 150 miles of range in roughly the time it takes to eat a sandwich.
Because all 8 stalls run 24/7, the station sees traffic at unusual hours too — long-haul drivers passing through overnight, early starts before a day of hiking or rafting, and late arrivals off Monarch Pass.
What to Do While You Charge
This is the part most Supercharger location guides skip, and it’s the reason Poncha Springs is worth knowing by name rather than just coordinates. The deli is inside the same building as the charging stalls — not a separate stop, not a walk across a parking lot.
Mabel’s Deli, the sandwich counter inside Poncha Market, has handcrafted sandwiches on-site since 2018. It’s named for Mabel Jean Hall, a Poncha Springs native and mother to the market’s current owners.
A few menu items worth ordering while your car tops off — see our full Mabel’s Deli menu guide for the complete rundown:
- The Reuben ($9.99) — hot corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss, and 1000 island on marble rye
- The Philly ($9.99) — shaved beef, sautéed peppers and onions, provolone, chipotle mayo
- Build-your-own sandwiches, wraps, or salads, with gluten-free bread available
“Fantastic to have a Tesla supercharger here, beats waiting for the measly 20mph charger in BV. While you charge, grab a sandwich — the deli is great and people are very kind.”
Meredith F., customer review
Poncha Springs vs. Salida: Where Should You Charge?
If your route also has you considering a stop in Salida instead, here’s how the two compare for an EV road-tripper specifically.
| Poncha Springs (Poncha Market) | Salida | |
|---|---|---|
| Tesla Supercharger on-site | Yes — 8 stalls, NACS, 24/7 | No |
| Charging type available | DC fast charging (Supercharger) | Level 2 public chargers only |
| Food within steps of the charger | Yes — deli inside the same building | No — restaurants are in town, a drive away |
| Restrooms at the charger | Yes | Varies by charger location |
| Best for | A fast top-up on a through-drive | A longer stop with more dining variety |
If your priority is charging speed without leaving the car unattended for long, Poncha Springs wins outright. If you have more time on your hands and want more restaurant variety, Salida — about ten minutes north — is worth the short detour.
Tips for a Smooth Charging Stop
- Check stall availability in the Tesla app before you arrive, especially on busy summer travel weekends.
- Order at the deli counter first, then let your food come out while you keep an eye on your charge percentage.
- Pack a jacket in shoulder season — Poncha Springs sits at roughly 7,500 feet, and the elevation keeps evenings cool even in summer.
- If you’re continuing south over Poncha Pass toward Salida or west over Monarch Pass, top off past 80% — the terrain climbs quickly in both directions.
- Traveling in winter? Poncha Pass and Monarch Pass can both see snow well into spring — a fuller charge before you leave gives you a bigger buffer if conditions slow you down. See our seasonal travel guide and winter driving checklist for what to expect.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a Tesla Supercharger in Salida, Colorado?
No. The nearest Supercharger to Salida is about six miles south, in Poncha Springs, at Poncha Market on US Highway 285.
How many charging stalls are at the Poncha Springs Supercharger?
Eight, all NACS connectors, available 24 hours a day.
Is there food near the Poncha Springs Supercharger?
Yes — Mabel’s Deli operates inside the same building as the charging station, serving handcrafted sandwiches, breakfast, and grill items throughout the day.
Can non-Tesla electric vehicles charge here?
The connectors are Tesla’s NACS standard. Non-Tesla EVs with a NACS port or adapter may be able to charge depending on Tesla’s current network access policy for that vehicle — check the Tesla app or your vehicle’s manufacturer for current compatibility.
Does cold or high-altitude weather affect charging here?
Yes, the same way it affects any EV. At roughly 7,500 feet, Poncha Springs sees cooler temperatures than Colorado’s Front Range, which can slightly increase charging times and reduce real-world range on the drive in. Planning to arrive with a bit more buffer than you would at lower elevation is a reasonable precaution.
Planning your stop? See the full Mabel’s Deli menu guide, check everything else available on-site, or get directions and charging details before you arrive.
For official specifications on Tesla’s charging network, see Tesla’s Supercharger overview. For broader EV charging infrastructure data across Colorado, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuels Data Center maintains a searchable station map.
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