How far is Columbine, CO from Thornton, CO?
The driving distance from Columbine, CO to Thornton, CO is about 36.6 miles (58.9 km), with a travel time of about 00h 42m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 20.1 miles (32.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 25m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM MDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 42m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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 twentieth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Denver metropolitan area.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Columbine and Thornton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Columbine and Thornton.
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1
Start on South Newland Street
626 ft · 30 sec · South Newland Street
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2
Turn right onto West Roxbury Place
756 ft · 33 sec · West Roxbury Place
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3
Turn left onto South Pierce Street
2071 ft · 43 sec · South Pierce Street
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4
Turn left onto West Ken Caryl Avenue
1.1 mi · 2 min · West Ken Caryl Avenue
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5
Continue on West Mineral Avenue
1.4 mi · 2 min · West Mineral Avenue
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6
Turn left onto South Santa Fe Drive
8.8 mi · 11 min · South Santa Fe Drive
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 25 North: Fort Collins
1.4 km · 2 min
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8
Merge slight left onto South Valley Highway
10 mi · 14 min · South Valley Highway
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9
Keep slight right to continue on North Valley Highway
1.3 mi · 2 min · North Valley Highway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward Thornton Parkway
2280 ft · 43 sec
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11
Turn right onto Thornton Parkway
1.4 km · 2 min · Thornton Parkway
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12
Turn right onto Dorothy Boulevard
1077 ft · 51 sec · Dorothy Boulevard
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13
Turn right
36 m · 9 sec
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14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Columbine and Thornton.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
South Valley Highway
Merge slight left onto South Valley Highway
10 mi · 00h 14m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Columbine 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 Columbine to Thornton?
The road trip is about 36.6 miles (58.9 km) and usually takes 00h 42m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Denver is a useful midpoint, sitting about 12.9 miles from Columbine and 23.7 miles from Thornton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 20.1 miles (32.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.5 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:04 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.77 one way or $9.54 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers around Columbine and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Thornton.
Stop Ideas Near Denver
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Fairplay Park
Denver City Council
Town Hall Arts Center
Municipal Court Park
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Denver.
Denver (Bus Station), Colorado
Union Station
Boulder, Colorado
Pine Junction, CO
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Columbine and Thornton. Straight-line distance: 20.05 mi (32.26 km).
#1 Columbine
School shooting at Columbine High School in Columbine, Colorado, United States on 20 April 1999
| Population | 24,280 |
| Coordinates | 39.5877700, -105.0694300 |
| Altitude | 1688 |
| 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: 59 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 13m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 54m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 43m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 36m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 31m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 27m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $4.77 | $9.54 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $5.27 | $10.54 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $5.66 | $11.33 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $6.11 | $12.22 |
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.