How far is Redlands, CO from Thornton, CO?
The driving distance from Redlands, CO to Thornton, CO is about 256.2 miles (412.3 km), with a travel time of about 04h 08m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 202.9 miles (326.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 17m 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 08m.
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.
Human settlement in Eagle County, Colorado, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Redlands and Thornton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Redlands and Thornton.
-
1
Start on Broadway
101 m · 6 sec · Broadway
-
2
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Redlands Parkway
83 m · 15 sec · Redlands Parkway
-
3
Exit the roundabout onto Redlands Parkway
1.8 mi · 3 min · Redlands Parkway
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4
Continue on 24 Road
1 mi · 2 min · 24 Road
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5
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward 24 Road
36 m · 2 sec · 24 Road
-
6
Exit the roundabout onto 24 Road
2277 ft · 42 sec · 24 Road
-
7
Take the ramp slight right toward I 70 East
1699 ft · 25 sec
-
8
Merge slight left
242 mi · 4 hr 31 min
-
9
Keep slight left to continue on Heartland Expressway
5.1 mi · 6 min · Heartland Expressway
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward I 25: Fort Collins, Colorado Springs
1098 ft · 21 sec
-
11
Keep slight left to continue on I 25 North: Fort Collins
1.4 mi · 3 min
-
12
Merge slight left onto North Valley Highway
1.4 km · 1 min · North Valley Highway
-
13
Keep slight right to continue on North Valley Highway
1.3 mi · 2 min · North Valley Highway
-
14
Take the exit slight right toward Thornton Parkway
2280 ft · 43 sec
-
15
Turn right onto Thornton Parkway
1.4 km · 2 min · Thornton Parkway
-
16
Turn right onto Dorothy Boulevard
1077 ft · 51 sec · Dorothy Boulevard
-
17
Turn right
36 m · 9 sec
-
18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Redlands and Thornton.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 70 East
Merge slight left
242 mi · 04h 31m
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Redlands and 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 Redlands to Thornton?
The road trip is about 256.2 miles (412.3 km) and usually takes 04h 08m 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?
Eagle is a useful midpoint, sitting about 127.5 miles from Redlands and 128.7 miles from Thornton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 202.9 miles (326.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 53.3 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:42 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $39.10 one way or $78.20 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 80.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Redlands and Chance Rain Showers near Thornton.
Stop Ideas Near Eagle
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 Eagle.
Vail, Colorado
Glenwood Springs
Frisco, Colorado
Fairplay, CO
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Redlands and Thornton. Straight-line distance: 202.85 mi (326.46 km).
#1 Redlands
Situated in Mesa County at an elevation of 4,656 feet, this community lies directly west of Grand Junction across the Gunnison River.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 39.0788700, -108.6356500 |
| Altitude | 1419 |
| 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: 412 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 32m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 24m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 07m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 16m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 39m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 11m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.33 | $39.10 | $78.20 |
| Mid-grade | $4.72 | $42.66 | $85.32 |
| Premium | $5.06 | $45.77 | $91.54 |
| Diesel | $6.52 | $58.91 | $117.83 |
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 · Oct 15, 2026