How far is Carbondale, CO from Thornton, CO?
The driving distance from Carbondale, CO to Thornton, CO is about 176.9 miles (284.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 06m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 123.4 miles (198.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 13m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 06m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 Summit County, Colorado, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Snow Showers
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Carbondale and Thornton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carbondale and Thornton.
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1
Start on Merrill Avenue
10 m · 1 sec · Merrill Avenue
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2
Continue on North 4th Street
578 ft · 28 sec · North 4th Street
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3
Turn right onto Main Street
2382 ft · 49 sec · Main Street
-
4
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward the route
5 m · 1 sec
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5
Exit the roundabout
141 m · 10 sec
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6
Continue straight
1.3 km · 2 min
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7
Continue straight
741 ft · 20 sec
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8
Turn left
9.9 mi · 16 min
-
9
Turn left onto 27th Street
693 ft · 14 sec · 27th Street
-
10
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward 27th Street
26 m · 2 sec · 27th Street
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11
Exit the roundabout onto 27th Street
621 ft · 13 sec · 27th Street
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12
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Midland Avenue
4 m · 1 sec · Midland Avenue
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13
Exit the roundabout onto Midland Avenue
1.6 mi · 3 min · Midland Avenue
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14
Turn right onto West 8th Street
2084 ft · 51 sec · West 8th Street
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15
Turn left onto Grand Avenue
1204 ft · 41 sec · Grand Avenue
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16
Continue on Laurel Street
740 ft · 38 sec · Laurel Street
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17
Take the exit left
824 ft · 20 sec
-
18
Merge slight left
153.2 mi · 2 hr 57 min
-
19
Keep slight left to continue on Heartland Expressway
5.1 mi · 6 min · Heartland Expressway
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20
Take the exit slight right toward I 25: Fort Collins, Colorado Springs
1098 ft · 21 sec
-
21
Keep slight left to continue on I 25 North: Fort Collins
1.4 mi · 3 min
-
22
Merge slight left onto North Valley Highway
1.4 km · 1 min · North Valley Highway
-
23
Keep slight right to continue on North Valley Highway
1.3 mi · 2 min · North Valley Highway
-
24
Take the exit slight right toward Thornton Parkway
2280 ft · 43 sec
-
25
Turn right onto Thornton Parkway
1.4 km · 2 min · Thornton Parkway
-
26
Turn right onto Dorothy Boulevard
1077 ft · 51 sec · Dorothy Boulevard
-
27
Turn right
36 m · 9 sec
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Carbondale and Thornton.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Laurel Street
Merge slight left
153 mi · 02h 57m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Slight Chance Snow Showers leaving Carbondale and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Thornton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Carbondale to Thornton?
The road trip is about 176.9 miles (284.7 km) and usually takes 03h 06m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Frisco is a useful midpoint, sitting about 88.9 miles from Carbondale and 88 miles from Thornton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 123.4 miles (198.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 53.5 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:46 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.08 one way or $46.15 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 55.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Snow Showers around Carbondale and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Thornton.
Stop Ideas Near Frisco
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 Frisco.
Frisco, Colorado
Vail, Colorado
Fairplay, CO
Fraser – Winter Park
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Carbondale and Thornton. Straight-line distance: 123.42 mi (198.62 km).
#1 Carbondale
Town of the United States
| Population | 6,729 |
| Coordinates | 39.4022100, -107.2111600 |
| Altitude | 1881 |
| 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: 285 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 53m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 25m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 32m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 56m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 31m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 12m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $23.08 | $46.15 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $25.48 | $50.97 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $27.40 | $54.80 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $29.56 | $59.12 |
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.