How far is Thornton, CO from Bayfield, CO?
The driving distance from Thornton, CO to Bayfield, CO is about 324.5 miles (522.2 km), with a travel time of about 07h 22m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 231.2 miles (372.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 14h 44m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 07h 22m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Thornton and Bayfield.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Thornton and Bayfield.
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1
Start on the route
23 m · 12 sec
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2
Turn left onto Dorothy Boulevard
1165 ft · 59 sec · Dorothy Boulevard
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3
At the end of the road, turn left onto Thornton Parkway
1.6 km · 2 min · Thornton Parkway
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4
Turn left onto I 25 South: Colorado Springs
1973 ft · 40 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto North Valley Highway
1.2 mi · 2 min · North Valley Highway
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6
Keep slight right to continue on North Valley Highway
1.5 mi · 2 min · North Valley Highway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 76 West: Arvada, Grand Junction
1.5 km · 2 min
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8
Merge slight left onto Heartland Expressway
5.2 mi · 6 min · Heartland Expressway
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9
Merge slight left
8.7 mi · 10 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward CO 470 East: Colorado Springs
1.1 km · 51 sec
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11
Merge slight left
5.1 mi · 6 min
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12
Take the exit slight right toward US 285 South: Fairplay
1.1 km · 1 min
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13
Merge slight left
101.5 mi · 2 hr 13 min
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14
At the end of the road, turn left
11.1 mi · 18 min
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15
Continue straight
10 mi · 16 min
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16
Turn left
40.4 mi · 51 min
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17
Turn slight left
23.5 mi · 34 min
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18
Turn right onto West Highway 112
13.1 mi · 19 min · West Highway 112
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19
Turn right onto Grand Avenue
1 km · 2 min · Grand Avenue
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20
Continue on West U.S. Highway 160
57.8 mi · 1 hr 21 min · West U.S. Highway 160
-
21
Continue on San Juan Street
2.6 mi · 5 min · San Juan Street
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22
Continue on US 160
10.5 mi · 14 min · US 160
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23
Continue straight
27.5 mi · 35 min
-
24
Turn left
156 m · 25 sec
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25
At the end of the road, turn right
67 m · 9 sec
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26
Turn left onto South Buck Highway
1565 ft · 31 sec · South Buck Highway
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Buck Highway
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Thornton and Bayfield.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
US 285 South
Merge slight left
101 mi · 02h 14m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Thornton and Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Bayfield.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Thornton to Bayfield?
The road trip is about 324.5 miles (522.2 km) and usually takes 07h 22m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Bonanza is a useful midpoint, sitting about 162.2 miles from Thornton and 162.2 miles from Bayfield.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 231.2 miles (372.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 93.3 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 7:30 AM MDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $42.34 one way or $84.68 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 101.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Thornton and Chance Rain And Snow Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Bayfield.
Stop Ideas Near Bonanza
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 Bonanza.
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Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Thornton and Bayfield. Straight-line distance: 231.22 mi (372.11 km).
#1 Thornton
The seventh most populous city in Colorado.
| Population | 148,113 |
| Coordinates | 39.8680400, -104.9719200 |
| Altitude | 1631 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Bayfield
Town in Colorado, USA
| Population | 2,586 |
| Coordinates | 37.2255600, -107.5981100 |
| Altitude | 2103 |
| Country | United States |
End: Bayfield (-107.59811, 37.22556)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 522 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 48m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 06m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 29m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 24m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 38m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 02m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $42.34 | $84.68 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $46.76 | $93.52 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $50.28 | $100.55 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $54.24 | $108.48 |
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 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.