How far is Erie, CO from Thornton, CO?
The driving distance from Erie, CO to Thornton, CO is about 17.8 miles (28.7 km), with a travel time of about 00h 23m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 13.2 miles (21.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 47m 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 23m.
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.
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 Erie and Thornton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Erie and Thornton.
-
1
Start on Wells Street
706 ft · 33 sec · Wells Street
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2
Turn right onto Briggs Street
1 km · 2 min · Briggs Street
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3
Turn left onto Erie Parkway
3.5 mi · 6 min · Erie Parkway
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4
Take the ramp straight toward I 25 South
1663 ft · 41 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
4.1 mi · 4 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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6
Continue on North Valley Highway
3187 ft · 36 sec · North Valley Highway
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7
Keep slight right to continue on North Valley Highway
7 mi · 8 min · North Valley Highway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward Thornton Parkway
1181 ft · 23 sec
-
9
Keep slight left to continue on Thornton Parkway East
35 m · 5 sec
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10
Turn left onto Thornton Parkway
1.6 km · 2 min · Thornton Parkway
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11
Turn right onto Dorothy Boulevard
1077 ft · 51 sec · Dorothy Boulevard
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12
Turn right
36 m · 9 sec
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13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Erie 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.
North Valley Highway
Keep slight right to continue on North Valley Highway
7.02 mi · 00h 08m
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.
Sunny leaving Erie and Sunny near Thornton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Erie to Thornton?
The road trip is about 17.8 miles (28.7 km) and usually takes 00h 23m 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?
Lafayette is a useful midpoint, sitting about 8.9 miles from Erie and 8.9 miles from Thornton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 13.2 miles (21.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 4.6 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 7:42 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.33 one way or $4.66 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 5.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Erie and Sunny near Thornton.
Stop Ideas Near Lafayette
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Municipal Court Park
Broomfield City Council
Lafayette City Hall
Historic Brighton City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Lafayette.
Boulder, Colorado
Longmont, Colorado
Denver (Bus Station), Colorado
Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Erie and Thornton. Straight-line distance: 13.25 mi (21.33 km).
#1 Erie
Town in Boulder County, Colorado, USA
| Population | 30,318 |
| Coordinates | 40.0502600, -105.0499800 |
| Altitude | 1532 |
| 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: 29 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 35m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 26m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 21m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 17m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 15m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 13m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $2.33 | $4.66 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $2.57 | $5.15 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $2.77 | $5.53 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $2.98 | $5.97 |
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.