How far is Gilcrest, CO from Thornton, CO?
The driving distance from Gilcrest, CO to Thornton, CO is about 35.4 miles (56.9 km), with a travel time of about 00h 43m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 30.4 miles (48.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 26m 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 43m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Human settlement in Weld 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 Gilcrest and Thornton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gilcrest and Thornton.
-
1
Start on West Service Road
111 m · 17 sec · West Service Road
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2
Turn right onto Main Street
18 m · 7 sec · Main Street
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3
Turn right onto CanAm Highway
6.1 mi · 10 min · CanAm Highway
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4
Turn right onto Justin Avenue
8 mi · 13 min · Justin Avenue
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5
Continue straight
2594 ft · 57 sec
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6
Take the ramp left toward I 25 South
1963 ft · 48 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
15.1 mi · 15 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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8
Continue on North Valley Highway
3187 ft · 36 sec · North Valley Highway
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9
Keep slight right to continue on North Valley Highway
7 mi · 8 min · North Valley Highway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward Thornton Parkway
1181 ft · 23 sec
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11
Keep slight left to continue on Thornton Parkway East
35 m · 5 sec
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12
Turn left onto Thornton Parkway
1.6 km · 2 min · Thornton Parkway
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13
Turn right onto Dorothy Boulevard
1077 ft · 51 sec · Dorothy Boulevard
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14
Turn right
36 m · 9 sec
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Gilcrest 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 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 Gilcrest and Sunny near Thornton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Gilcrest to Thornton?
The road trip is about 35.4 miles (56.9 km) and usually takes 00h 43m 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?
Firestone is a useful midpoint, sitting about 19.6 miles from Gilcrest and 15.7 miles from Thornton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 30.4 miles (48.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 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 $4.62 one way or $9.25 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Gilcrest and Sunny near Thornton.
Stop Ideas Near Firestone
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Historic Brighton City Hall
Town of Frederick
Lafayette City Hall
Old Town Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Firestone.
Longmont, Colorado
Boulder, Colorado
Union Station
Denver (Bus Station), Colorado
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Gilcrest and Thornton. Straight-line distance: 30.39 mi (48.9 km).
#1 Gilcrest
City in Weld County, Colorado, United States of America
| Population | 1,169 |
| Coordinates | 40.2819300, -104.7777500 |
| Altitude | 1449 |
| 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: 57 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 10m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 53m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 42m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 35m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 30m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 26m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $4.62 | $9.25 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $5.10 | $10.21 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $5.49 | $10.98 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $5.92 | $11.84 |
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.