How far is Hayden, CO from Thornton, CO?
The driving distance from Hayden, CO to Thornton, CO is about 187.8 miles (302.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 29m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 128.2 miles (206.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 58m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 29m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Town of the United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Hayden and Thornton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hayden and Thornton.
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1
Start on West Jefferson Avenue
29.1 mi · 37 min · West Jefferson Avenue
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2
Continue straight
3270 ft · 51 sec
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3
Continue straight
46.8 mi · 1 hr
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4
Turn right onto South 6th Street
1353 ft · 34 sec · South 6th Street
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5
Continue on Tyler Avenue
1.1 mi · 2 min · Tyler Avenue
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6
Continue on Colorado River Headwaters Scenic Byway
30.6 mi · 40 min · Colorado River Headwaters Scenic Byway
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7
Continue straight
5.3 mi · 9 min
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8
Continue straight
746 ft · 25 sec
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9
Take the exit left toward I 70 East
1368 ft · 25 sec
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10
Merge slight left
63 mi · 1 hr 16 min
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11
Keep slight left to continue on Heartland Expressway
5.1 mi · 6 min · Heartland Expressway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward I 25: Fort Collins, Colorado Springs
1098 ft · 21 sec
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13
Keep slight left to continue on I 25 North: Fort Collins
1.4 mi · 3 min
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14
Merge slight left onto North Valley Highway
1.4 km · 1 min · North Valley Highway
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15
Keep slight right to continue on North Valley Highway
1.3 mi · 2 min · North Valley Highway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward Thornton Parkway
2280 ft · 43 sec
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17
Turn right onto Thornton Parkway
1.4 km · 2 min · Thornton Parkway
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18
Turn right onto Dorothy Boulevard
1077 ft · 51 sec · Dorothy Boulevard
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19
Turn right
36 m · 9 sec
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Hayden and Thornton.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
I 70 East
Merge slight left
63 mi · 01h 16m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers leaving Hayden and Mostly Sunny near Thornton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Hayden to Thornton?
The road trip is about 187.8 miles (302.2 km) and usually takes 03h 29m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Kremmling is a useful midpoint, sitting about 93.8 miles from Hayden and 94 miles from Thornton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 128.2 miles (206.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 59.6 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:02 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.52 one way or $49.04 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 58.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers around Hayden and Mostly Sunny near Thornton.
Stop Ideas Near Kremmling
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Kremmling.
Granby
Vail, Colorado
Fraser – Winter Park
Frisco, Colorado
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Hayden and Thornton. Straight-line distance: 128.18 mi (206.29 km).
#1 Hayden
Town in Colorado, USA
| Population | 1,977 |
| Coordinates | 40.4952900, -107.2572900 |
| Altitude | 1935 |
| 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: 302 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 15m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 41m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 45m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 07m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 40m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 20m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $24.52 | $49.04 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $27.08 | $54.15 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $29.11 | $58.22 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $31.41 | $62.81 |
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 16, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.