How far is Sterling, CO from Thornton, CO?
The driving distance from Sterling, CO to Thornton, CO is about 120.4 miles (193.7 km), with a travel time of about 01h 46m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 106.8 miles (171.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 32m 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 01h 46m.
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, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Sterling and Thornton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sterling and Thornton.
-
1
Start on the route
73 m · 23 sec
-
2
Turn left onto North 3rd Street
84 m · 11 sec · North 3rd Street
-
3
Turn right onto East Chestnut Street
1.4 mi · 3 min · East Chestnut Street
-
4
Continue on US Highway 6
1246 ft · 24 sec · US Highway 6
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5
Take the ramp slight right toward I 76 West
1715 ft · 43 sec
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6
Merge slight left
113.7 mi · 1 hr 54 min
-
7
Take the exit slight right toward 88th Avenue
1390 ft · 37 sec
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8
Turn right onto East 88th Avenue
1.5 mi · 3 min · East 88th Avenue
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9
Turn right onto Colorado Boulevard
1.6 km · 2 min · Colorado Boulevard
-
10
Turn left onto Thornton Parkway
1.7 mi · 3 min · Thornton Parkway
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11
Turn left onto Dorothy Boulevard
1077 ft · 51 sec · Dorothy Boulevard
-
12
Turn right
36 m · 9 sec
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13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Sterling 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 76 West
Merge slight left
114 mi · 01h 54m
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 Sterling and Sunny near Thornton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Sterling to Thornton?
The road trip is about 120.4 miles (193.7 km) and usually takes 01h 46m 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?
Wiggins is a useful midpoint, sitting about 60.1 miles from Sterling and 60.2 miles from Thornton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 106.8 miles (171.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.6 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 2:58 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.72 one way or $31.43 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 37.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Sterling and Sunny near Thornton.
Stop Ideas Near Wiggins
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 Wiggins.
Fort Morgan
Longmont, Colorado
Fort Collins, Colorado
Denver (Bus Station), Colorado
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Sterling and Thornton. Straight-line distance: 106.75 mi (171.79 km).
#1 Sterling
City in Colorado
| Population | 14,078 |
| Coordinates | 40.6255400, -103.2077100 |
| Altitude | 1200 |
| 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: 194 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 00m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 00m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 24m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 00m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 43m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 30m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $15.72 | $31.43 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $17.36 | $34.71 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $18.66 | $37.32 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $20.13 | $40.26 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.