How far is Thornton, CO from Brighton, CO?
The driving distance from Thornton, CO to Brighton, CO is about 14 miles (22.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 21m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 11.4 miles (18.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 00h 43m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM MDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 00h 21m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Census-designated place in Adams County, Colorado
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Rain Showers
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Thornton and Brighton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Thornton and Brighton.
-
1
Start on the route
23 m · 12 sec
-
2
Turn left onto Dorothy Boulevard
1165 ft · 55 sec · Dorothy Boulevard
-
3
At the end of the road, turn right onto Thornton Parkway
1.7 mi · 3 min · Thornton Parkway
-
4
Turn left onto Colorado Boulevard
1.6 km · 2 min · Colorado Boulevard
-
5
Turn right onto East 104th Avenue
3.1 mi · 5 min · East 104th Avenue
-
6
Turn left onto CanAm Highway
7.5 mi · 9 min · CanAm Highway
-
7
Take the exit slight right toward CO 7: Brighton
1198 ft · 33 sec
-
8
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward West Bridge Street
15 m · 1 sec · West Bridge Street
-
9
Exit the roundabout onto West Bridge Street
126 m · 14 sec · West Bridge Street
-
10
Turn right onto South Main Street
584 ft · 23 sec · South Main Street
-
11
Turn left onto Bush Street
126 m · 11 sec · Bush Street
-
12
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Bush Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Thornton and Brighton.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
CanAm Highway
Turn left onto CanAm Highway
7.54 mi · 00h 09m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Rain Showers leaving Thornton and Mostly Cloudy then Chance Rain Showers near Brighton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Thornton to Brighton?
The road trip is about 14 miles (22.6 km) and usually takes 00h 21m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Todd Creek is a useful midpoint, sitting about 7 miles from Thornton and 7 miles from Brighton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 11.4 miles (18.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 2.6 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:46 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $1.81 one way or $3.62 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 4.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy then Chance Rain Showers around Thornton and Mostly Cloudy then Chance Rain Showers near Brighton.
Stop Ideas Near Todd Creek
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Fairplay Park
Denver City Council
Lafayette City Hall
Municipal Court Park
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Todd Creek.
Denver (Bus Station), Colorado
Union Station
Longmont, Colorado
Boulder, Colorado
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Thornton and Brighton. Straight-line distance: 11.4 mi (18.35 km).
#1 Thornton
The seventh most populous city in Colorado.
| Population | 148,113 |
| Coordinates | 39.8680400, -104.9719200 |
| Altitude | 1631 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Brighton
A city in Adams County, Colorado.
| Population | 40,783 |
| Coordinates | 39.9852600, -104.8205300 |
| Altitude | 1519 |
| Country | United States |
End: Brighton (-104.82053, 39.98526)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 23 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 28m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 21m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 16m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 14m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 12m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 10m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $1.81 | $3.62 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $2.00 | $4.00 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $2.15 | $4.30 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $2.32 | $4.64 |
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.