How far is Salida, CO from Thornton, CO?
The driving distance from Salida, CO to Thornton, CO is about 149.4 miles (240.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 39m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 107.3 miles (172.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 18m 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 02h 39m.
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.
Town in Colorado, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Salida and Thornton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Salida and Thornton.
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1
Start on I Street
46 m · 9 sec · I Street
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2
Turn left onto West 5th Street
567 ft · 17 sec · West 5th Street
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3
Turn right onto Poncha Boulevard
92 m · 13 sec · Poncha Boulevard
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4
Turn left onto Crestone Avenue
2478 ft · 1 min · Crestone Avenue
-
5
Turn right onto North Grant Street
74 m · 6 sec · North Grant Street
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6
Continue on Mesa Lane
585 ft · 18 sec · Mesa Lane
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7
At the end of the road, turn left
6.9 mi · 10 min
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8
Turn right
4.3 mi · 7 min
-
9
Continue straight
9.7 mi · 16 min
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward US 285 North
1151 ft · 22 sec
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11
Merge slight left
73.9 mi · 1 hr 34 min
-
12
Continue straight
27.8 mi · 40 min
-
13
Take the exit slight right toward CO 470 West: West CO 470 to I-70
1552 ft · 53 sec
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14
Merge slight left
5.3 mi · 6 min
-
15
Take the exit slight right toward I 70: Grand Junction, Denver
955 ft · 16 sec
-
16
Keep slight right to continue on I 70 East: Denver
1.3 km · 2 min
-
17
Merge slight left
8.5 mi · 10 min
-
18
Keep slight left to continue on Heartland Expressway
5.1 mi · 6 min · Heartland Expressway
-
19
Take the exit slight right toward I 25: Fort Collins, Colorado Springs
1098 ft · 21 sec
-
20
Keep slight left to continue on I 25 North: Fort Collins
1.4 mi · 3 min
-
21
Merge slight left onto North Valley Highway
1.4 km · 1 min · North Valley Highway
-
22
Keep slight right to continue on North Valley Highway
1.3 mi · 2 min · North Valley Highway
-
23
Take the exit slight right toward Thornton Parkway
2280 ft · 43 sec
-
24
Turn right onto Thornton Parkway
1.4 km · 2 min · Thornton Parkway
-
25
Turn right onto Dorothy Boulevard
1077 ft · 51 sec · Dorothy Boulevard
-
26
Turn right
36 m · 9 sec
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Salida 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.
US 285 North
Merge slight left
73.9 mi · 01h 34m
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 Salida and Mostly Sunny then Slight 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 Salida to Thornton?
The road trip is about 149.4 miles (240.4 km) and usually takes 02h 39m 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?
Montezuma is a useful midpoint, sitting about 74.6 miles from Salida and 74.8 miles from Thornton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 107.3 miles (172.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 42.1 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 1:12 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.49 one way or $38.98 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 46.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Salida and Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers near Thornton.
Stop Ideas Near Montezuma
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 Montezuma.
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Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Salida and Thornton. Straight-line distance: 107.29 mi (172.66 km).
#1 Salida
City in Chaffee County, Colorado, United States
| Population | 5,690 |
| Coordinates | 38.5347200, -105.9989000 |
| Altitude | 2159 |
| 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: 240 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 58m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 44m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 59m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 29m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 08m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 51m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $19.49 | $38.98 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $21.52 | $43.05 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $23.14 | $46.28 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $24.96 | $49.93 |
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.