How far is Manitou Springs, CO from Thornton, CO?
The driving distance from Manitou Springs, CO to Thornton, CO is about 83.6 miles (134.5 km), with a travel time of about 01h 32m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 69.7 miles (112.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 05m 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 01h 32m.
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.
The most populous city in Douglas County, Colorado.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny then Slight Chance Snow Showers
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Manitou Springs and Thornton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Manitou Springs and Thornton.
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1
Start on the route
28 m · 7 sec
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2
Turn right onto Cañon Avenue
11 m · 4 sec · Cañon Avenue
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3
Turn left onto Park Avenue
831 ft · 35 sec · Park Avenue
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4
Continue on Park Avenue
28 m · 9 sec · Park Avenue
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5
Turn left onto Manitou Avenue
146 m · 22 sec · Manitou Avenue
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6
Exit the roundabout onto Manitou Avenue
1.3 mi · 4 min · Manitou Avenue
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7
Take the ramp slight right
1350 ft · 37 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Midland Expressway
1.6 km · 1 min · Midland Expressway
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9
Continue on West Cimarron Street
939 ft · 27 sec · West Cimarron Street
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10
Turn sharp left onto South 31st Street
1.2 km · 2 min · South 31st Street
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11
Turn right onto West Fontanero Street
1403 ft · 32 sec · West Fontanero Street
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12
Continue on Fontmore Road
1 km · 1 min · Fontmore Road
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13
Continue on West Fillmore Street
1.5 mi · 3 min · West Fillmore Street
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14
Take the ramp left toward I 25
49 m · 6 sec
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15
Turn left
653 ft · 18 sec
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16
Merge slight left onto Monument Valley Freeway
3.2 mi · 4 min · Monument Valley Freeway
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17
Continue on Ronald Reagan Highway
70.1 mi · 1 hr 18 min · Ronald Reagan Highway
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18
Keep slight right to continue on North Valley Highway
1.3 mi · 2 min · North Valley Highway
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19
Take the exit slight right toward Thornton Parkway
2280 ft · 43 sec
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20
Turn right onto Thornton Parkway
1.4 km · 2 min · Thornton Parkway
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21
Turn right onto Dorothy Boulevard
1077 ft · 51 sec · Dorothy Boulevard
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22
Turn right
36 m · 9 sec
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Manitou Springs 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.
Ronald Reagan Highway
Continue on Ronald Reagan Highway
70.1 mi · 01h 18m
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 then Slight Chance Snow Showers leaving Manitou Springs 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 Manitou Springs to Thornton?
The road trip is about 83.6 miles (134.5 km) and usually takes 01h 32m 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?
Castle Rock is a useful midpoint, sitting about 41.3 miles from Manitou Springs and 42.3 miles from Thornton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 69.7 miles (112.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.9 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 3:24 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.91 one way or $21.82 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 26.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny then Slight Chance Snow Showers around Manitou Springs and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Thornton.
Stop Ideas Near Castle Rock
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 Castle Rock.
Denver (Bus Station), Colorado
Union Station
Pine Junction, CO
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Manitou Springs and Thornton. Straight-line distance: 69.73 mi (112.22 km).
#1 Manitou Springs
City in Colorado
| Population | 5,461 |
| Coordinates | 38.8597100, -104.9172000 |
| Altitude | 1938 |
| 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: 134 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 47m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 05m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 40m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 23m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 11m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 02m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $10.91 | $21.82 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $12.05 | $24.10 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $12.95 | $25.91 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $13.97 | $27.95 |
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 · 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.