How far is Buena Vista, CO from Thornton, CO?
The driving distance from Buena Vista, CO to Thornton, CO is about 129.9 miles (209 km), with a travel time of about 02h 19m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 94.1 miles (151.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 39m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 02h 19m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Town in Colorado, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Buena Vista and Thornton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Buena Vista and Thornton.
-
1
Start on East Main Street
136 m · 16 sec · East Main Street
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2
Turn left
2.4 mi · 3 min
-
3
Turn left
74 mi · 1 hr 34 min
-
4
Continue straight
27.8 mi · 40 min
-
5
Take the exit slight right toward CO 470 West: West CO 470 to I-70
1552 ft · 53 sec
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6
Merge slight left
5.3 mi · 6 min
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 70: Grand Junction, Denver
955 ft · 16 sec
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8
Keep slight right to continue on I 70 East: Denver
1.3 km · 2 min
-
9
Merge slight left
8.5 mi · 10 min
-
10
Keep slight left to continue on Heartland Expressway
5.1 mi · 6 min · Heartland Expressway
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11
Take the exit slight right toward I 25: Fort Collins, Colorado Springs
1098 ft · 21 sec
-
12
Keep slight left to continue on I 25 North: Fort Collins
1.4 mi · 3 min
-
13
Merge slight left onto North Valley Highway
1.4 km · 1 min · North Valley Highway
-
14
Keep slight right to continue on North Valley Highway
1.3 mi · 2 min · North Valley Highway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward Thornton Parkway
2280 ft · 43 sec
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16
Turn right onto Thornton Parkway
1.4 km · 2 min · Thornton Parkway
-
17
Turn right onto Dorothy Boulevard
1077 ft · 51 sec · Dorothy Boulevard
-
18
Turn right
36 m · 9 sec
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Buena Vista and Thornton.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Longest stretch
Turn left
74 mi · 01h 34m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Sunny leaving Buena Vista and Sunny near Thornton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Buena Vista to Thornton?
The road trip is about 129.9 miles (209 km) and usually takes 02h 19m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Montezuma is a useful midpoint, sitting about 64.9 miles from Buena Vista and 65 miles from Thornton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 94.1 miles (151.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 35.8 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:50 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.94 one way or $33.87 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 40.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Buena Vista and Sunny near Thornton.
Stop Ideas Near Montezuma
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Montezuma.
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Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Buena Vista and Thornton. Straight-line distance: 94.12 mi (151.47 km).
#1 Buena Vista
Town of the United States
| Population | 3,116 |
| Coordinates | 38.8422200, -106.1311300 |
| Altitude | 2421 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Thornton
The seventh most populous city in Colorado.
| Population | 148,113 |
| Coordinates | 39.8680400, -104.9719200 |
| Altitude | 1631 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-104.971859, 39.868064)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 209 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 19m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 14m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 35m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 09m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 51m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 37m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $16.94 | $33.87 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $18.70 | $37.41 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $20.11 | $40.22 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $21.70 | $43.39 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Colorado · Apr 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.