How far is Glendale, CO from Thornton, CO?
The driving distance from Glendale, CO to Thornton, CO is about 18.8 miles (30.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 28m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 11.4 miles (18.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 56m 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 28m.
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.
The most populous city in Adams County, Colorado.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Glendale and Thornton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Glendale and Thornton.
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1
Start on East Exposition Avenue
4 m · 5 sec · East Exposition Avenue
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2
Turn right onto South Cherry Street
1725 ft · 43 sec · South Cherry Street
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3
At the end of the road, turn left onto South Leetsdale Drive
2735 ft · 59 sec · South Leetsdale Drive
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4
Turn right onto South Colorado Boulevard
1.2 km · 2 min · South Colorado Boulevard
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5
Continue on North Colorado Boulevard
4.8 mi · 10 min · North Colorado Boulevard
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6
Merge slight left onto North Vasquez Boulevard
2319 ft · 32 sec · North Vasquez Boulevard
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 270 West: Boulder
1012 ft · 25 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
3.2 mi · 4 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 25 North: Fort Collins
1690 ft · 41 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto North Valley Highway
1.3 km · 1 min · North Valley Highway
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11
Keep slight right to continue on North Valley Highway
1.3 mi · 2 min · North Valley Highway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward Thornton Parkway
2280 ft · 43 sec
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13
Turn right onto Thornton Parkway
1.4 km · 2 min · Thornton Parkway
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14
Turn right onto Dorothy Boulevard
1077 ft · 51 sec · Dorothy Boulevard
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15
Turn right
36 m · 9 sec
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Glendale 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 Colorado Boulevard
Continue on North Colorado Boulevard
4.84 mi · 00h 10m
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.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Glendale and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Thornton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Glendale to Thornton?
The road trip is about 18.8 miles (30.2 km) and usually takes 00h 28m 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?
Commerce City is a useful midpoint, sitting about 7.1 miles from Glendale and 11.6 miles from Thornton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 11.4 miles (18.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.4 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:34 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.44 one way or $4.88 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 5.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers around Glendale and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Thornton.
Stop Ideas Near Commerce City
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Fairplay Park
Denver City Council
Town Hall Arts Center
Municipal Court Park
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Commerce City.
Denver (Bus Station), Colorado
Union Station
Boulder, Colorado
Longmont, Colorado
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Glendale and Thornton. Straight-line distance: 11.45 mi (18.42 km).
#1 Glendale
City in Colorado
| Population | 5,102 |
| Coordinates | 39.7049900, -104.9335900 |
| Altitude | 1631 |
| 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: 30 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 37m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 28m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 22m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 18m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 16m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 14m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $2.44 | $4.88 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $2.70 | $5.39 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $2.90 | $5.80 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $3.13 | $6.25 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.