How far is Mead, CO from Thornton, CO?
The driving distance from Mead, CO to Thornton, CO is about 27.6 miles (44.4 km), with a travel time of about 00h 28m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 25.3 miles (40.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 57m 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 28m.
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.
City in Weld County, Colorado, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Snow Showers
Rain And Snow Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Mead and Thornton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Mead and Thornton.
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1
Start on 3rd Street
8 m · 6 sec · 3rd Street
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2
Turn left onto Welker Avenue
1.5 km · 2 min · Welker Avenue
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3
Take the ramp right
1132 ft · 28 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
17.3 mi · 17 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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5
Continue on North Valley Highway
3187 ft · 36 sec · North Valley Highway
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6
Keep slight right to continue on North Valley Highway
7 mi · 8 min · North Valley Highway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward Thornton Parkway
1181 ft · 23 sec
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8
Keep slight left to continue on Thornton Parkway East
35 m · 5 sec
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9
Turn left onto Thornton Parkway
1.6 km · 2 min · Thornton Parkway
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10
Turn right onto Dorothy Boulevard
1077 ft · 51 sec · Dorothy Boulevard
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11
Turn right
36 m · 9 sec
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12
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Mead 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.
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
17.3 mi · 00h 17m
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.
Snow Showers leaving Mead and Rain And Snow Showers near Thornton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Mead to Thornton?
The road trip is about 27.6 miles (44.4 km) and usually takes 00h 28m 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?
Dacono is a useful midpoint, sitting about 13.7 miles from Mead and 13.8 miles from Thornton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 25.3 miles (40.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 2.3 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 7:32 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $3.59 one way or $7.17 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 8.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Snow Showers around Mead and Rain And Snow Showers near Thornton.
Stop Ideas Near Dacono
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Municipal Court Park
Broomfield City Council
Lafayette City Hall
Historic Brighton City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Dacono.
Longmont, Colorado
Boulder, Colorado
Denver (Bus Station), Colorado
Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Mead and Thornton. Straight-line distance: 25.28 mi (40.68 km).
#1 Mead
Town in Weld County, Colorado, United States
| Population | 5,003 |
| Coordinates | 40.2333200, -104.9985900 |
| Altitude | 1525 |
| 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: 44 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 55m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 41m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 33m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 27m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 23m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 20m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $3.59 | $7.17 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $3.96 | $7.92 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $4.26 | $8.52 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $4.59 | $9.19 |
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 17, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.