How far is Indian Hills, CO from Thornton, CO?
The driving distance from Indian Hills, CO to Thornton, CO is about 30.2 miles (48.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 36m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 22.4 miles (36 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 13m 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 36m.
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.
Census designated place
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain And Snow Likely
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Indian Hills and Thornton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Indian Hills and Thornton.
-
1
Start on Hiawatha Trail
144 m · 21 sec · Hiawatha Trail
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2
Continue on Santa Clara Road
142 m · 21 sec · Santa Clara Road
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3
Turn right onto Parmalee Gulch Road
1061 ft · 21 sec · Parmalee Gulch Road
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4
Take the ramp slight right
1826 ft · 50 sec
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5
Merge slight right
4 mi · 6 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward CO 470 West: West CO 470 to I-70
1552 ft · 53 sec
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7
Merge slight left
5.3 mi · 6 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 70: Grand Junction, Denver
955 ft · 16 sec
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9
Keep slight right to continue on I 70 East: Denver
1.3 km · 2 min
-
10
Merge slight left
8.5 mi · 10 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 Indian Hills 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.
I 70 East
Merge slight left
8.47 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.
Rain And Snow Likely leaving Indian Hills and 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 Indian Hills to Thornton?
The road trip is about 30.2 miles (48.6 km) and usually takes 00h 36m 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?
Applewood is a useful midpoint, sitting about 15 miles from Indian Hills and 15.2 miles from Thornton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 22.4 miles (36 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.8 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 7:16 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.63 one way or $9.26 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 9.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain And Snow Likely around Indian Hills and Chance Rain Showers near Thornton.
Stop Ideas Near Applewood
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Municipal Court Park
Denver City Council
Town Hall Arts Center
City of Littleton
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Applewood.
Union Station
Denver (Bus Station), Colorado
Boulder, Colorado
Pine Junction, CO
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Indian Hills and Thornton. Straight-line distance: 22.37 mi (36 km).
#1 Indian Hills
Situated in Jefferson County at an elevation of 6,857 feet, this census-designated place lies within the Rocky Mountain foothills west of Denver along Parmalee Gulch.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 39.6166500, -105.2372100 |
| Altitude | 2090 |
| 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: 49 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 00m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 45m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 36m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 30m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 25m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 22m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.33 | $4.63 | $9.26 |
| Mid-grade | $4.72 | $5.05 | $10.10 |
| Premium | $5.06 | $5.42 | $10.83 |
| Diesel | $6.52 | $6.97 | $13.95 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026