How far is Elizabeth, CO from Thornton, CO?
The driving distance from Elizabeth, CO to Thornton, CO is about 52.5 miles (84.5 km), with a travel time of about 01h 03m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 40.4 miles (65 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 07m 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 01h 03m.
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.
City in Arapahoe County, Colorado, United States of America
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 Elizabeth and Thornton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elizabeth and Thornton.
-
1
Start on the route
27 m · 12 sec
-
2
Turn left onto East Broadway Street
42 m · 8 sec · East Broadway Street
-
3
Turn right onto Pine Street
119 m · 21 sec · Pine Street
-
4
Turn left onto East Kiowa Avenue
8.8 mi · 12 min · East Kiowa Avenue
-
5
Take the exit slight right
139 m · 13 sec
-
6
Merge slight left onto North State Highway 83
4.5 mi · 7 min · North State Highway 83
-
7
Continue on South Parker Road
14.7 mi · 22 min · South Parker Road
-
8
Take the exit slight right toward I 225 South, I 225 North
90 m · 7 sec
-
9
Keep slight right to continue on I 225 North
1391 ft · 34 sec
-
10
Keep slight right to continue on I 225 North
1263 ft · 33 sec
-
11
Merge slight left
7.5 mi · 9 min
-
12
Keep slight left to continue on I 70 West: Denver
1.2 km · 1 min
-
13
Keep slight left to continue on I 70 West: Denver
1917 ft · 47 sec
-
14
Merge slight left onto Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway
2.1 mi · 3 min · Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway
-
15
Keep slight right to continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
6.6 mi · 9 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
-
16
Take the exit slight right toward I 25 North: Fort Collins
1690 ft · 41 sec
-
17
Merge slight left onto North Valley Highway
1.3 km · 1 min · North Valley Highway
-
18
Keep slight right to continue on North Valley Highway
1.3 mi · 2 min · North Valley Highway
-
19
Take the exit slight right toward Thornton Parkway
2280 ft · 43 sec
-
20
Turn right onto Thornton Parkway
1.4 km · 2 min · Thornton Parkway
-
21
Turn right onto Dorothy Boulevard
1077 ft · 51 sec · Dorothy Boulevard
-
22
Turn right
36 m · 9 sec
-
23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Elizabeth 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 Parker Road
Continue on South Parker Road
14.7 mi · 00h 22m
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 Elizabeth and Sunny near Thornton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Elizabeth to Thornton?
The road trip is about 52.5 miles (84.5 km) and usually takes 01h 03m 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?
Foxfield is a useful midpoint, sitting about 25 miles from Elizabeth and 27.5 miles from Thornton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 40.4 miles (65 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.1 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:22 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.84 one way or $13.68 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 16.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Elizabeth and Sunny near Thornton.
Stop Ideas Near Foxfield
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Fairplay Park
Denver City Council
Town Hall Arts Center
City of Littleton
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Foxfield.
Denver (Bus Station), Colorado
Union Station
Pine Junction, CO
Boulder, Colorado
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Elizabeth and Thornton. Straight-line distance: 40.36 mi (64.96 km).
#1 Elizabeth
Town in Elbert County, Colorado, United States
| Population | 1,867 |
| Coordinates | 39.3602700, -104.5969100 |
| Altitude | 1974 |
| 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: 85 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 45m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 18m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 03m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 52m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 45m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 39m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $6.84 | $13.68 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $7.56 | $15.11 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $8.12 | $16.25 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $8.76 | $17.53 |
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.