How far is Meridian, CO from Thornton, CO?
The driving distance from Meridian, CO to Thornton, CO is about 29.5 miles (47.5 km), with a travel time of about 00h 38m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 23.7 miles (38.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 17m 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 38m.
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 Colorado
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Light Rain
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Meridian and Thornton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Meridian and Thornton.
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1
Start on Fisher Drive
921 ft · 43 sec · Fisher Drive
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2
Turn right onto Fisher Street
41 m · 6 sec · Fisher Street
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3
Continue on Fisher Street
33 m · 6 sec · Fisher Street
-
4
Turn right onto Peoria Street
1763 ft · 37 sec · Peoria Street
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5
Turn right onto East Lincoln Avenue
1.3 mi · 2 min · East Lincoln Avenue
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6
Take the ramp right toward I 25 North: Denver
2622 ft · 1 min
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7
Merge slight left
24.6 mi · 31 min
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8
Keep slight right to continue on North Valley Highway
1.3 mi · 2 min · North Valley Highway
-
9
Take the exit slight right toward Thornton Parkway
2280 ft · 43 sec
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10
Turn right onto Thornton Parkway
1.4 km · 2 min · Thornton Parkway
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11
Turn right 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 Meridian 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 25 North
Merge slight left
24.6 mi · 00h 31m
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.
Chance Light Rain leaving Meridian 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 Meridian to Thornton?
The road trip is about 29.5 miles (47.5 km) and usually takes 00h 38m 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?
Glendale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 14.9 miles from Meridian and 14.7 miles from Thornton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 23.7 miles (38.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.8 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 7:12 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.50 one way or $9.00 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 9.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Light Rain around Meridian and Chance Rain Showers near Thornton.
Stop Ideas Near Glendale
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Fairplay Park
Denver City Council
Town Hall Arts Center
Municipal Court Park
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Glendale.
Denver (Bus Station), Colorado
Union Station
Pine Junction, CO
Boulder, Colorado
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Meridian and Thornton. Straight-line distance: 23.67 mi (38.1 km).
#1 Meridian
Situated in the southern Denver metropolitan area at an elevation of 5,889 feet, this Douglas County census-designated place lies along the Interstate 25 corridor.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 39.5395700, -104.8452800 |
| Altitude | 1795 |
| 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: 48 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 59m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 44m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 35m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 29m |
| 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 | $4.50 | $9.00 |
| Mid-grade | $4.72 | $4.91 | $9.82 |
| Premium | $5.06 | $5.27 | $10.53 |
| Diesel | $6.52 | $6.78 | $13.56 |
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