How far is Rangely, CO from Thornton, CO?
The driving distance from Rangely, CO to Thornton, CO is about 284.2 miles (457.4 km), with a travel time of about 04h 56m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 203.5 miles (327.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 52m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 04h 56m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Town of the United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Rangely and Thornton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rangely and Thornton.
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1
Start on West Main Street
55 mi · 1 hr 29 min · West Main Street
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2
At the end of the road, turn right
37.1 mi · 1 hr
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3
Continue on Railroad Avenue
1401 ft · 34 sec · Railroad Avenue
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4
Turn left onto Whiteriver Avenue
1.5 km · 2 min · Whiteriver Avenue
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5
Continue on Whiteriver Avenue
3085 ft · 1 min · Whiteriver Avenue
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6
Take the ramp left
64 m · 6 sec
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7
Merge slight right
2164 ft · 44 sec
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8
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
77 m · 5 sec
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9
Exit the roundabout
1311 ft · 32 sec
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10
Merge slight left
179.1 mi · 3 hr 25 min
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11
Keep slight left to continue on Heartland Expressway
5.1 mi · 6 min · Heartland Expressway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward I 25: Fort Collins, Colorado Springs
1098 ft · 21 sec
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13
Keep slight left to continue on I 25 North: Fort Collins
1.4 mi · 3 min
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14
Merge slight left onto North Valley Highway
1.4 km · 1 min · North Valley Highway
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15
Keep slight right to continue on North Valley Highway
1.3 mi · 2 min · North Valley Highway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward Thornton Parkway
2280 ft · 43 sec
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17
Turn right onto Thornton Parkway
1.4 km · 2 min · Thornton Parkway
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18
Turn right onto Dorothy Boulevard
1077 ft · 51 sec · Dorothy Boulevard
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19
Turn right
36 m · 9 sec
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Rangely and Thornton.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Whiteriver Avenue
Merge slight left
179 mi · 03h 25m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Rangely and Mostly Cloudy then Chance Rain Showers near Thornton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Rangely to Thornton?
The road trip is about 284.2 miles (457.4 km) and usually takes 04h 56m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Gypsum is a useful midpoint, sitting about 141.9 miles from Rangely and 142.4 miles from Thornton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 203.5 miles (327.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 80.7 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:08 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $37.09 one way or $74.18 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 89.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Rangely and Mostly Cloudy then Chance Rain Showers near Thornton.
Stop Ideas Near Gypsum
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 Gypsum.
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Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Rangely and Thornton. Straight-line distance: 203.49 mi (327.48 km).
#1 Rangely
Town in Rio Blanco County, Colorado, United States
| Population | 2,300 |
| Coordinates | 40.0874800, -108.8048300 |
| Altitude | 1595 |
| 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: 457 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 28m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 06m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 41m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 44m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 03m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 32m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $37.09 | $74.18 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $40.96 | $81.93 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $44.04 | $88.08 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $47.51 | $95.02 |
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 11, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.