How far is Colorado City, CO from Thornton, CO?
The driving distance from Colorado City, CO to Thornton, CO is about 149.4 miles (240.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 27m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 133 miles (214.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 54m 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 27m.
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.
The second most populous city in Colorado and the center of the Colorado Springs metropolitan area.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Colorado City and Thornton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Colorado City and Thornton.
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1
Start on the route
51 m · 17 sec
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2
At the end of the road, turn left onto Bent Brothers Boulevard
52 m · 13 sec · Bent Brothers Boulevard
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3
Turn left
2.6 mi · 4 min
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4
Take the ramp left toward I 25 North: Pueblo
1484 ft · 36 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
18.4 mi · 18 min · John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
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6
Continue on South Freeway
10.4 mi · 13 min · South Freeway
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7
Continue on John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
12.9 mi · 13 min · John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
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8
Continue on Ronald Reagan Highway
23 mi · 24 min · Ronald Reagan Highway
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9
Continue on Monument Valley Freeway
8.5 mi · 10 min · Monument Valley Freeway
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10
Continue on Ronald Reagan Highway
70.1 mi · 1 hr 18 min · Ronald Reagan Highway
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11
Keep slight right to continue on North Valley Highway
1.3 mi · 2 min · North Valley Highway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward Thornton Parkway
2280 ft · 43 sec
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13
Turn right onto Thornton Parkway
1.4 km · 2 min · Thornton Parkway
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14
Turn right onto Dorothy Boulevard
1077 ft · 51 sec · Dorothy Boulevard
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15
Turn right
36 m · 9 sec
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Colorado City and Thornton.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Ronald Reagan Highway
Continue on Ronald Reagan Highway
70.1 mi · 01h 18m
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.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Colorado City and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Thornton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Colorado City to Thornton?
The road trip is about 149.4 miles (240.4 km) and usually takes 02h 27m 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?
Colorado Springs is a useful midpoint, sitting about 74.6 miles from Colorado City and 74.8 miles from Thornton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 133 miles (214.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.4 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 1:36 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.49 one way or $38.98 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 46.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Colorado City and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Thornton.
Stop Ideas Near Colorado Springs
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 Colorado Springs.
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Pueblo, Colorado
Pine Junction, CO
Denver (Bus Station), Colorado
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Colorado City and Thornton. Straight-line distance: 133.05 mi (214.13 km).
#1 Colorado City
Colorado City is a place in Colorado, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 37.9452900, -104.8352600 |
| Altitude | 1784 |
| 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: 240 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 58m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 44m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 59m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 29m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 08m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 51m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $19.49 | $38.98 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $21.52 | $43.05 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $23.14 | $46.28 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $24.96 | $49.93 |
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 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.