How far is Parker, CO from Thornton, CO?
The driving distance from Parker, CO to Thornton, CO is about 34.9 miles (56.1 km), with a travel time of about 00h 39m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 26.6 miles (42.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 19m 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 39m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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 third most populous city in Colorado and the center of the Denver metropolitan area.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Parker and Thornton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Parker and Thornton.
-
1
Start on South Pikes Peak Drive
30 m · 8 sec · South Pikes Peak Drive
-
2
Turn right onto East Mainstreet
821 ft · 30 sec · East Mainstreet
-
3
Turn right onto South Parker Road
10.4 mi · 15 min · South Parker Road
-
4
Take the exit slight right toward I 225 South, I 225 North
90 m · 7 sec
-
5
Keep slight right to continue on I 225 North
1391 ft · 34 sec
-
6
Keep slight right to continue on I 225 North
1263 ft · 33 sec
-
7
Merge slight left
7.5 mi · 9 min
-
8
Keep slight left to continue on I 70 West: Denver
1.2 km · 1 min
-
9
Keep slight left to continue on I 70 West: Denver
1917 ft · 47 sec
-
10
Merge slight left onto Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway
2.1 mi · 3 min · Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway
-
11
Keep slight right to continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
6.6 mi · 9 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
-
12
Take the exit slight right toward I 25 North: Fort Collins
1690 ft · 41 sec
-
13
Merge slight left onto North Valley Highway
1.3 km · 1 min · North Valley Highway
-
14
Keep slight right to continue on North Valley Highway
1.3 mi · 2 min · North Valley Highway
-
15
Take the exit slight right toward Thornton Parkway
2280 ft · 43 sec
-
16
Turn right onto Thornton Parkway
1.4 km · 2 min · Thornton Parkway
-
17
Turn right onto Dorothy Boulevard
1077 ft · 51 sec · Dorothy Boulevard
-
18
Turn right
36 m · 9 sec
-
19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Parker 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.
South Parker Road
Turn right onto South Parker Road
10.4 mi · 00h 16m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Parker and Sunny near Thornton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Parker to Thornton?
The road trip is about 34.9 miles (56.1 km) and usually takes 00h 39m 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?
Aurora is a useful midpoint, sitting about 16.2 miles from Parker and 18.6 miles from Thornton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 26.6 miles (42.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.3 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 7:10 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.55 one way or $9.10 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 10.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Parker and Sunny near Thornton.
Stop Ideas Near Aurora
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 Aurora.
Denver (Bus Station), Colorado
Union Station
Boulder, Colorado
Longmont, Colorado
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Parker and Thornton. Straight-line distance: 26.61 mi (42.83 km).
#1 Parker
The most populous city in Douglas County, Colorado.
| Population | 58,673 |
| Coordinates | 39.5186000, -104.7613600 |
| Altitude | 1789 |
| 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: 56 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 09m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 52m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 41m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 34m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 29m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 26m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $4.55 | $9.10 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $5.02 | $10.05 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $5.40 | $10.80 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $5.83 | $11.65 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.