How far is Lochbuie, CO from Thornton, CO?
The driving distance from Lochbuie, CO to Thornton, CO is about 19.6 miles (31.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 24m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 16.6 miles (26.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 48m 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 24m.
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 in Adams County, Colorado
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lochbuie and Thornton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lochbuie and Thornton.
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1
Start on County Road 37
2096 ft · 58 sec · County Road 37
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2
At the end of the road, turn right onto I-76 Frontage Road
563 ft · 15 sec · I-76 Frontage Road
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3
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward East 168th Avenue
77 m · 5 sec · East 168th Avenue
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4
Exit the roundabout onto East 168th Avenue
33 m · 2 sec · East 168th Avenue
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5
Take the ramp slight right toward I 76 West
1894 ft · 46 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Heartland Expressway
14 mi · 15 min · Heartland Expressway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward 88th Avenue
1390 ft · 37 sec
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8
Turn right onto East 88th Avenue
1.5 mi · 3 min · East 88th Avenue
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9
Turn right onto Colorado Boulevard
1.6 km · 2 min · Colorado Boulevard
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10
Turn left onto Thornton Parkway
1.7 mi · 3 min · Thornton Parkway
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11
Turn left onto Dorothy Boulevard
1077 ft · 51 sec · Dorothy Boulevard
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12
Turn right
36 m · 9 sec
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13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lochbuie 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.
Heartland Expressway
Merge slight left onto Heartland Expressway
14 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 Lochbuie and Sunny near Thornton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lochbuie to Thornton?
The road trip is about 19.6 miles (31.6 km) and usually takes 00h 24m 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?
Todd Creek is a useful midpoint, sitting about 9.8 miles from Lochbuie and 9.8 miles from Thornton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 16.6 miles (26.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:42 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $2.55 one way or $5.10 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 6.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Lochbuie and Sunny near Thornton.
Stop Ideas Near Todd Creek
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Fairplay Park
Denver City Council
Lafayette City Hall
Municipal Court Park
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Todd Creek.
Denver (Bus Station), Colorado
Union Station
Longmont, Colorado
Boulder, Colorado
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lochbuie and Thornton. Straight-line distance: 16.62 mi (26.74 km).
#1 Lochbuie
Town of the United States in Weld County in United States of America
| Population | 7,885 |
| Coordinates | 40.0072100, -104.7160800 |
| Altitude | 1530 |
| 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: 32 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 39m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 29m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 23m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 19m |
| 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 | $2.55 | $5.10 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $2.82 | $5.64 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $3.03 | $6.06 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $3.27 | $6.54 |
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.