How far is Milliken, CO from Thornton, CO?

The driving distance from Milliken, CO to Thornton, CO is about 40.5 miles (65.1 km), with a travel time of about 00h 45m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 32.5 miles (52.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 31m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
40.45 mi
00h 45m
Flight
32.47 mi
52.26 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Milliken.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
32.47 mi
Kilometers
52.26 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
40.45 mi
Kilometers
65.09 km
Drive Time
00h 45m

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 45m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Thornton
Wed, Apr 22, 7:24 PM MDT
Return by in Milliken
Wed, Apr 22, 8:09 PM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Milliken
2026-04-22T18:38
Arrive Thornton
Wed, Apr 22, 7:24 PM MDT
Route Timing
00h 45m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:46 AM to 10:46 AM MDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:58 PM MDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Milliken
9:30 PM MDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Firestone
CO

Human settlement in Weld County, Colorado, United States of America

From Milliken
20.2 mi
00h 22m
To Thornton
20.3 mi
00h 22m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
83°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
6 to 23 mph SSW
Destination
82°F
Wednesday

Sunny

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
7 to 20 mph SSW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Milliken and Thornton.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Milliken and Thornton.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    33 m · 13 sec

  2. 2

    Turn left

    52 m · 14 sec

  3. 3

    Turn right onto South Grace Avenue

    46 m · 14 sec · South Grace Avenue

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Broad Street

    6.7 mi · 12 min · Broad Street

  5. 5

    Take the ramp slight left

    1473 ft · 36 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

    24.3 mi · 24 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

  7. 7

    Continue on North Valley Highway

    3187 ft · 36 sec · North Valley Highway

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on North Valley Highway

    7 mi · 8 min · North Valley Highway

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward Thornton Parkway

    1181 ft · 23 sec

  10. 10

    Keep slight left to continue on Thornton Parkway East

    35 m · 5 sec

  11. 11

    Turn left onto Thornton Parkway

    1.6 km · 2 min · Thornton Parkway

  12. 12

    Turn right onto Dorothy Boulevard

    1077 ft · 51 sec · Dorothy Boulevard

  13. 13

    Turn right

    36 m · 9 sec

  14. 14

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Milliken and Thornton.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
14 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
34.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
24.3 mi · 60%
North Valley Highway
7.62 mi · 19%
Broad Street
6.94 mi · 17%
Thornton Parkway
1.21 mi · 3%
Dorothy Boulevard
0.2 mi · 1%
South Grace Avenue
0.03 mi
Longest Stretch

Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

24.3 mi · 00h 24m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
00h 45m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 32m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+8 mi
32.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Firestone
00h 22m from Milliken
Leave By
4:58 PM MDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny leaving Milliken and Sunny near Thornton.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Milliken to Thornton?

The road trip is about 40.5 miles (65.1 km) and usually takes 00h 45m 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?

Firestone is a useful midpoint, sitting about 20.2 miles from Milliken and 20.3 miles from Thornton.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 32.5 miles (52.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:58 PM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.29 one way or $10.58 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Milliken and Sunny near Thornton.

Stop Ideas Near Firestone

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Firestone and the surrounding midpoint area.
Historic Brighton City Hall
Scenic stop 13.7 mi away

Historic Brighton City Hall

Brighton , CO
22 S 4th Ave, Brighton, CO 80601
Rating 4.3/5 31 reviews Historical place,City Hall
Town of Frederick
Meeting point 3.7 mi away

Town of Frederick

Frederick , CO
401 Locust St, Frederick, CO 80530
Rating 3.8/5 12 reviews City government office,City Hall
Lafayette City Hall
Nearby stop 12.1 mi away

Lafayette City Hall

Lafayette , CO
1290 S Public Rd, Lafayette, CO 80026
Rating 5.0/5 2 reviews City administration
Old Town Hall
Scenic stop 3.6 mi away

Old Town Hall

Frederick , CO
105 Fifth St, Frederick, CO 80530
Rating 4.0/5 2 reviews Historical landmark,History museum

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Firestone.

BUS

Longmont, Colorado

15 mi away
623 Main St.
BUS

Boulder, Colorado

30 mi away
30th & Diagonal Highway
RAIL

Union Station

40 mi away
1701 Wynkoop Street
BUS

Denver (Bus Station), Colorado

41 mi away
1055 19th Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Milliken and Thornton. Straight-line distance: 32.47 mi (52.26 km).

Milliken

#1 Milliken

City in Weld County, Colorado, United States of America

Population8,688
Coordinates40.3294300, -104.8552500
Altitude1448
CountryUnited States
Thornton

#2 Thornton

The seventh most populous city in Colorado.

Population148,113
Coordinates39.8680400, -104.9719200
Altitude1631
CountryUnited States
Start: (-104.855088, 40.329426)
End: (-104.971859, 39.868064)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 65 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 20m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 00m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 48m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 40m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 34m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 30m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.43 gal
5.4 L · about $5.29
Round trip
$10.58
2.86 gal · 10.8 L
Estimated CO2
12.7 kg one way
Round trip: 25.4 kg / 56 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.70 $5.29 $10.58
Mid-grade $4.08 $5.84 $11.68
Premium $4.39 $6.28 $12.56
Diesel $4.74 $6.77 $13.55

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

There is no time difference between Milliken and Thornton. The current time is 18:38:07.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.