How far is Nederland, CO from Thornton, CO?
The driving distance from Nederland, CO to Thornton, CO is about 37.9 miles (61 km), with a travel time of about 00h 57m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 29.3 miles (47.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 55m 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 00h 57m.
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 Boulder County, Colorado.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Nederland and Thornton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Nederland and Thornton.
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1
Start on North Bridge Street
127 m · 12 sec · North Bridge Street
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2
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Boulder Canyon Drive
19 m · 2 sec · Boulder Canyon Drive
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3
Exit the roundabout onto Boulder Canyon Drive
15.2 mi · 27 min · Boulder Canyon Drive
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4
Continue on Canyon Boulevard
1.4 km · 2 min · Canyon Boulevard
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5
Turn right onto Broadway
1.4 mi · 4 min · Broadway
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6
Turn left onto Baseline Road
1136 ft · 32 sec · Baseline Road
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7
Take the ramp straight toward US 36 East: Denver
1529 ft · 28 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Denver–Boulder Turnpike
2.9 mi · 4 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike
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9
Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike
1.7 mi · 2 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike
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10
Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike
2.6 mi · 3 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike
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11
Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike
2.4 mi · 3 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike
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12
Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike
2.2 mi · 3 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike
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13
Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike
1.9 mi · 2 min · Denver–Boulder Turnpike
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14
Keep slight right to continue on Denver–Boulder Turnpike
1.2 km · 53 sec · Denver–Boulder Turnpike
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15
Take the exit slight right toward CO 95 South: Sheridan Boulevard
1708 ft · 37 sec
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16
Turn sharp left onto Sheridan Boulevard
1665 ft · 40 sec · Sheridan Boulevard
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17
Turn straight
93 m · 11 sec
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18
Turn straight onto West 92nd Avenue
2.5 mi · 6 min · West 92nd Avenue
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19
Continue on Thornton Parkway
2 mi · 4 min · Thornton Parkway
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20
Turn right onto Dorothy Boulevard
1077 ft · 51 sec · Dorothy Boulevard
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21
Turn right
36 m · 9 sec
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Nederland 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.
Boulder Canyon Drive
Exit the roundabout onto Boulder Canyon Drive
15.2 mi · 00h 27m
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 leaving Nederland and Sunny near Thornton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Nederland to Thornton?
The road trip is about 37.9 miles (61 km) and usually takes 00h 57m 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?
Boulder is a useful midpoint, sitting about 19 miles from Nederland and 19 miles from Thornton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 29.3 miles (47.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.6 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 4:34 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.96 one way or $9.91 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 11.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Nederland and Sunny near Thornton.
Stop Ideas Near Boulder
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 Boulder.
Boulder, Colorado
Longmont, Colorado
Union Station
Denver (Bus Station), Colorado
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Nederland and Thornton. Straight-line distance: 29.28 mi (47.12 km).
#1 Nederland
Town in Colorado, United States
| Population | 1,557 |
| Coordinates | 39.9613800, -105.5108300 |
| Altitude | 2508 |
| 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: 61 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 15m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 56m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 45m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 37m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 32m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 28m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $4.96 | $9.91 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $5.47 | $10.95 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $5.88 | $11.77 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $6.35 | $12.70 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.