How far is Palmer Lake, CO from Thornton, CO?
The driving distance from Palmer Lake, CO to Thornton, CO is about 58.6 miles (94.3 km), with a travel time of about 01h 05m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 51.6 miles (83.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 10m 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 05m.
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.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Palmer Lake and Thornton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Palmer Lake and Thornton.
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1
Start on Upper Glenway
68 m · 11 sec · Upper Glenway
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2
Turn right onto Pie Corner
610 ft · 32 sec · Pie Corner
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3
At the end of the road, turn left
2134 ft · 1 min
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4
Continue on Spruce Mountain Road
52 m · 6 sec · Spruce Mountain Road
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5
Turn right onto County Line Road
2.6 mi · 5 min · County Line Road
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6
Take the ramp left
1314 ft · 32 sec
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7
Merge slight left
54.5 mi · 1 hr 2 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
-
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
-
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 Palmer Lake and Thornton.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
County Line Road
Merge slight left
54.5 mi · 01h 02m
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 Palmer Lake and Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Thornton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Palmer Lake to Thornton?
The road trip is about 58.6 miles (94.3 km) and usually takes 01h 05m 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?
Carriage Club is a useful midpoint, sitting about 30.4 miles from Palmer Lake and 28.2 miles from Thornton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 51.6 miles (83.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 7 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 4:20 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.65 one way or $15.31 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 18.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Palmer Lake and Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Thornton.
Stop Ideas Near Carriage Club
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
City of Littleton
Aurora City Water Resources
Aurora Municipal Center
Town Hall Arts Center
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Carriage Club.
Denver (Bus Station), Colorado
Union Station
Pine Junction, CO
Boulder, Colorado
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Palmer Lake and Thornton. Straight-line distance: 51.62 mi (83.07 km).
#1 Palmer Lake
City in El Paso County, Colorado, United States of America
| Population | 3,037 |
| Coordinates | 39.1222100, -104.9172000 |
| Altitude | 2224 |
| 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: 94 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 57m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 27m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 10m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 58m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 50m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 43m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $7.65 | $15.31 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $8.45 | $16.91 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $9.09 | $18.18 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $9.81 | $19.61 |
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 · May 30, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.