How far is Ponderosa Park, CO from Thornton, CO?
The driving distance from Ponderosa Park, CO to Thornton, CO is about 47.1 miles (75.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 57m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 36 miles (58 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 54m 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.
City in Arapahoe County, Colorado, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Ponderosa Park and Thornton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ponderosa Park and Thornton.
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1
Start on Verdos Drive
893 ft · 41 sec · Verdos Drive
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2
Turn right onto Ponderosa Lane
1.8 mi · 4 min · Ponderosa Lane
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3
At the end of the road, turn right onto Flintwood Road
3.4 mi · 6 min · Flintwood Road
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4
Turn straight onto Hilltop Road
4.7 mi · 8 min · Hilltop Road
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5
Continue on Hess Road
3021 ft · 1 min · Hess Road
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6
Turn right onto South Parker Road
12.2 mi · 18 min · South Parker Road
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 225 South, I 225 North
90 m · 7 sec
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8
Keep slight right to continue on I 225 North
1391 ft · 34 sec
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9
Keep slight right to continue on I 225 North
1263 ft · 33 sec
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10
Merge slight left
7.5 mi · 9 min
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11
Keep slight left to continue on I 70 West: Denver
1.2 km · 1 min
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12
Keep slight left to continue on I 70 West: Denver
1917 ft · 47 sec
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13
Merge slight left onto Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway
2.1 mi · 3 min · Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway
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14
Keep slight right to continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
6.6 mi · 9 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward I 25 North: Fort Collins
1690 ft · 41 sec
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16
Merge slight left onto North Valley Highway
1.3 km · 1 min · North Valley Highway
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17
Keep slight right to continue on North Valley Highway
1.3 mi · 2 min · North Valley Highway
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18
Take the exit slight right toward Thornton Parkway
2280 ft · 43 sec
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19
Turn right onto Thornton Parkway
1.4 km · 2 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 Ponderosa Park 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
12.2 mi · 00h 18m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Ponderosa Park and Mostly Sunny near Thornton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Ponderosa Park to Thornton?
The road trip is about 47.1 miles (75.8 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?
Foxfield is a useful midpoint, sitting about 22.4 miles from Ponderosa Park and 24.7 miles from Thornton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 36 miles (58 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.1 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 4:36 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.14 one way or $12.28 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Ponderosa Park and Mostly Sunny near Thornton.
Stop Ideas Near Foxfield
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Fairplay Park
Denver City Council
Town Hall Arts Center
City of Littleton
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Foxfield.
Denver (Bus Station), Colorado
Union Station
Pine Junction, CO
Boulder, Colorado
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Ponderosa Park and Thornton. Straight-line distance: 36.06 mi (58.03 km).
#1 Ponderosa Park
Census-designated place in Elbert County, Colorado
| Population | 3,232 |
| Coordinates | 39.4083200, -104.6510800 |
| Altitude | 2037 |
| 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: 76 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 34m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 10m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 56m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 47m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 40m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 35m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $6.14 | $12.28 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $6.78 | $13.56 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $7.29 | $14.58 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $7.86 | $15.73 |
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 16, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.