How far is Estes Park, CO from Thornton, CO?
The driving distance from Estes Park, CO to Thornton, CO is about 61 miles (98.2 km), with a travel time of about 01h 15m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 45.6 miles (73.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 30m 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 15m.
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 most populous city in Boulder County, Colorado.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Estes Park and Thornton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Estes Park and Thornton.
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1
Start on Park Lane
67 m · 15 sec · Park Lane
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2
Turn left onto East Elkhorn Avenue
1052 ft · 38 sec · East Elkhorn Avenue
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3
Take the ramp straight toward US 36, CO 7
43 m · 4 sec
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4
Continue on US 36, CO 7
119 m · 11 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto North Saint Vrain Avenue
1.4 km · 2 min · North Saint Vrain Avenue
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6
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward North Saint Vrain Avenue
43 m · 2 sec · North Saint Vrain Avenue
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7
Exit the roundabout onto North Saint Vrain Avenue
2737 ft · 50 sec · North Saint Vrain Avenue
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8
Continue on East Highway 36
12 mi · 20 min · East Highway 36
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9
Continue on North Saint Vrain Avenue
6.1 mi · 10 min · North Saint Vrain Avenue
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10
Continue on West Main Street
1.2 km · 2 min · West Main Street
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11
Turn left onto Broadway
1418 ft · 51 sec · Broadway
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12
Merge slight left onto Main Street
1090 ft · 34 sec · Main Street
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13
Continue on Ute Highway
13.5 mi · 22 min · Ute Highway
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14
Continue straight
1.8 mi · 3 min
-
15
Take the ramp slight right toward I 25 South
2061 ft · 50 sec
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16
Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
15.1 mi · 15 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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17
Continue on North Valley Highway
3187 ft · 36 sec · North Valley Highway
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18
Keep slight right to continue on North Valley Highway
7 mi · 8 min · North Valley Highway
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19
Take the exit slight right toward Thornton Parkway
1181 ft · 23 sec
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20
Keep slight left to continue on Thornton Parkway East
35 m · 5 sec
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21
Turn left onto Thornton Parkway
1.6 km · 2 min · Thornton Parkway
-
22
Turn right onto Dorothy Boulevard
1077 ft · 51 sec · Dorothy Boulevard
-
23
Turn right
36 m · 9 sec
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Estes Park 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.
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
15.1 mi · 00h 15m
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.
Mostly Cloudy leaving Estes Park and Sunny near Thornton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Estes Park to Thornton?
The road trip is about 61 miles (98.2 km) and usually takes 01h 15m 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?
Longmont is a useful midpoint, sitting about 30.4 miles from Estes Park and 30.5 miles from Thornton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 45.6 miles (73.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.4 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 4:00 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.95 one way or $15.90 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 19.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Estes Park and Sunny near Thornton.
Stop Ideas Near Longmont
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Old Town Hall
Town of Frederick
Lafayette City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Longmont.
Longmont, Colorado
Boulder, Colorado
Fort Collins, Colorado
Denver (Bus Station), Colorado
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Estes Park and Thornton. Straight-line distance: 45.62 mi (73.42 km).
#1 Estes Park
Town in Larimer County, Colorado, United States
| Population | 6,553 |
| Coordinates | 40.3772100, -105.5216700 |
| Altitude | 2300 |
| 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: 98 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 01m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 31m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 13m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 01m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 52m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 45m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $7.95 | $15.90 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $8.78 | $17.56 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $9.44 | $18.88 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $10.18 | $20.37 |
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.