How far is La Salle, CO from Thornton, CO?
The driving distance from La Salle, CO to Thornton, CO is about 41.5 miles (66.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 49m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 36.2 miles (58.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 39m 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 00h 49m.
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.
Town in Weld County, Colorado, United States
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 La Salle and Thornton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between La Salle and Thornton.
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1
Start on Main Street
51 m · 5 sec · Main Street
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2
Continue on 1st Avenue
628 ft · 21 sec · 1st Avenue
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3
Turn left onto South 2nd Street
1785 ft · 40 sec · South 2nd Street
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4
Continue on CanAm Highway
3.1 mi · 5 min · CanAm Highway
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5
Take the exit slight right
1620 ft · 21 sec
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6
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
78 m · 5 sec
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7
Exit the roundabout
1203 ft · 16 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto CanAm Highway
8.1 mi · 13 min · CanAm Highway
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9
Turn right onto Justin Avenue
8 mi · 13 min · Justin Avenue
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10
Continue straight
2594 ft · 57 sec
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11
Take the ramp left toward I 25 South
1963 ft · 48 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
15.1 mi · 15 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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13
Continue on North Valley Highway
3187 ft · 36 sec · North Valley Highway
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14
Keep slight right to continue on North Valley Highway
7 mi · 8 min · North Valley Highway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward Thornton Parkway
1181 ft · 23 sec
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16
Keep slight left to continue on Thornton Parkway East
35 m · 5 sec
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17
Turn left onto Thornton Parkway
1.6 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 La Salle 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.
Sunny leaving La Salle and Sunny near Thornton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from La Salle to Thornton?
The road trip is about 41.5 miles (66.8 km) and usually takes 00h 49m 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?
Mead is a useful midpoint, sitting about 22.7 miles from La Salle and 18.8 miles from Thornton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 36.2 miles (58.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.3 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 4:50 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.40 one way or $10.80 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 13 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around La Salle and Sunny near Thornton.
Stop Ideas Near Mead
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 Mead.
Longmont, Colorado
Boulder, Colorado
Fort Collins, Colorado
Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between La Salle and Thornton. Straight-line distance: 36.16 mi (58.19 km).
#1 La Salle
Town in Colorado, USA
| Population | 2,466 |
| Coordinates | 40.3488700, -104.7019100 |
| Altitude | 1426 |
| 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: 67 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 22m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 02m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 49m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 41m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 35m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 31m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $5.40 | $10.80 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $5.96 | $11.93 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $6.41 | $12.82 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $6.92 | $13.83 |
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.