How far is Del Norte, CO from Thornton, CO?
The driving distance from Del Norte, CO to Thornton, CO is about 225.7 miles (363.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 52m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 168.6 miles (271.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 45m 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 52m.
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 of the United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Del Norte and Thornton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Del Norte and Thornton.
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1
Start on Grand Avenue
133 m · 22 sec · Grand Avenue
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2
Turn left onto Oak Street
13.1 mi · 19 min · Oak Street
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3
Turn left onto Gunbarrel Road
23.1 mi · 33 min · Gunbarrel Road
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4
Continue on 8th Street
1780 ft · 43 sec · 8th Street
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5
Turn straight
1663 ft · 41 sec
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6
Turn straight
40.2 mi · 51 min
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7
Continue straight
11.2 mi · 18 min
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8
Continue straight
9.7 mi · 16 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward US 285 North
1151 ft · 22 sec
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10
Merge slight left
73.9 mi · 1 hr 34 min
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11
Continue straight
27.8 mi · 40 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward CO 470 West: West CO 470 to I-70
1552 ft · 53 sec
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13
Merge slight left
5.3 mi · 6 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward I 70: Grand Junction, Denver
955 ft · 16 sec
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15
Keep slight right to continue on I 70 East: Denver
1.3 km · 2 min
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16
Merge slight left
8.5 mi · 10 min
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17
Keep slight left to continue on Heartland Expressway
5.1 mi · 6 min · Heartland Expressway
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18
Take the exit slight right toward I 25: Fort Collins, Colorado Springs
1098 ft · 21 sec
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19
Keep slight left to continue on I 25 North: Fort Collins
1.4 mi · 3 min
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20
Merge slight left onto North Valley Highway
1.4 km · 1 min · North Valley Highway
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21
Keep slight right to continue on North Valley Highway
1.3 mi · 2 min · North Valley Highway
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22
Take the exit slight right toward Thornton Parkway
2280 ft · 43 sec
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23
Turn right onto Thornton Parkway
1.4 km · 2 min · Thornton Parkway
-
24
Turn right onto Dorothy Boulevard
1077 ft · 51 sec · Dorothy Boulevard
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25
Turn right
36 m · 9 sec
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Del Norte and Thornton.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
US 285 North
Merge slight left
73.9 mi · 01h 34m
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.
Sunny leaving Del Norte and Sunny near Thornton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Del Norte to Thornton?
The road trip is about 225.7 miles (363.3 km) and usually takes 03h 52m 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?
Buena Vista is a useful midpoint, sitting about 112.7 miles from Del Norte and 113 miles from Thornton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 168.6 miles (271.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 57.1 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 9:14 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.44 one way or $58.87 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 70.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Del Norte and Sunny near Thornton.
Stop Ideas Near Buena Vista
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 Buena Vista.
Buena Vista, CO
Poncha Springs, CO
Salida, CO
Fairplay, CO
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Del Norte and Thornton. Straight-line distance: 168.57 mi (271.28 km).
#1 Del Norte
City in Rio Grande County, Colorado, United States of America
| Population | 1,541 |
| Coordinates | 37.6788900, -106.3533700 |
| Altitude | 2403 |
| 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: 363 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 31m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 38m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 30m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 45m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 13m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 48m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $29.44 | $58.87 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $32.51 | $65.02 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $34.95 | $69.90 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $37.71 | $75.41 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.