How far is Thornton, CO from Cañon City, CO?
The driving distance from Thornton, CO to Cañon City, CO is about 125.1 miles (201.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 38m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 99.7 miles (160.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 17m 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 38m.
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.
Census designated place
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Thornton and Cañon City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Thornton and Cañon City.
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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
70.1 mi · 1 hr 18 min · North Valley Highway
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7
Continue on Monument Valley Freeway
7.8 mi · 9 min · Monument Valley Freeway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward CO 115 South: Tejon Street, Nevada Avenue
2749 ft · 1 min
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9
Turn right onto South Nevada Avenue
30.6 mi · 40 min · South Nevada Avenue
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10
Turn right onto 3rd Street
9.5 mi · 17 min · 3rd Street
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11
At the end of the road, turn left onto Mackenzie Avenue
38 m · 7 sec · Mackenzie Avenue
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12
Turn right onto Royal Gorge Boulevard
3.7 mi · 7 min · Royal Gorge Boulevard
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13
Turn right onto South 4th Street
692 ft · 32 sec · South 4th Street
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14
Turn right onto Macon Avenue
27 m · 4 sec · Macon Avenue
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Macon Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Thornton and Cañon City.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
North Valley Highway
Keep slight right to continue on North Valley Highway
70.1 mi · 01h 18m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Thornton and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Cañon City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Thornton to Cañon City?
The road trip is about 125.1 miles (201.4 km) and usually takes 02h 38m 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?
Gleneagle is a useful midpoint, sitting about 62.6 miles from Thornton and 62.6 miles from Cañon City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 99.7 miles (160.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 25.4 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 $16.35 one way or $32.69 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 39.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Thornton and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Cañon City.
Stop Ideas Near Gleneagle
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 Gleneagle.
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Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Thornton and Cañon City. Straight-line distance: 99.66 mi (160.39 km).
#1 Thornton
The seventh most populous city in Colorado.
| Population | 148,113 |
| Coordinates | 39.8680400, -104.9719200 |
| Altitude | 1631 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Cañon City
City in Colorado, United States
| Population | 16,679 |
| Coordinates | 38.4409800, -105.2424500 |
| Altitude | 1631 |
| Country | United States |
End: Cañon City (-105.24245, 38.44098)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 201 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 10m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 07m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 30m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 05m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 47m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 33m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $16.35 | $32.69 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $18.05 | $36.10 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $19.41 | $38.82 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $20.94 | $41.88 |
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.