How far is Thornton, CO from Center, CO?
The driving distance from Thornton, CO to Center, CO is about 217.8 miles (350.5 km), with a travel time of about 04h 47m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 158.4 miles (255 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 35m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 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 04h 47m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 of the United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Thornton and Center.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Thornton and Center.
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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
-
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
26.7 mi · 35 min
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17
Turn left
37 m · 2 sec
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18
Take the exit slight right toward CO 17 South
1023 ft · 16 sec
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19
Merge slight left
13.3 mi · 16 min
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20
Continue straight
16.9 mi · 20 min
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21
Turn right
12.5 mi · 15 min
-
22
Turn right onto South Worth Street
1756 ft · 1 min · South Worth Street
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Worth Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Thornton and Center.
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 South
Merge slight left
101 mi · 02h 14m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Sunny leaving Thornton and Sunny near Center.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Thornton to Center?
The road trip is about 217.8 miles (350.5 km) and usually takes 04h 47m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Buena Vista is a useful midpoint, sitting about 108.9 miles from Thornton and 108.9 miles from Center.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 158.4 miles (255 km), while the road route adds roughly 59.4 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:24 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.40 one way or $56.80 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 68.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Thornton and Sunny near Center.
Stop Ideas Near Buena Vista
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 Buena Vista.
Buena Vista, CO
Poncha Springs, CO
Salida, CO
Fairplay, CO
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Thornton and Center. Straight-line distance: 158.42 mi (254.96 km).
#1 Thornton
The seventh most populous city in Colorado.
| Population | 148,113 |
| Coordinates | 39.8680400, -104.9719200 |
| Altitude | 1631 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Center
Town in Colorado, United States
| Population | 2,385 |
| Coordinates | 37.7530600, -106.1086400 |
| Altitude | 2330 |
| Country | United States |
End: Center (-106.10864, 37.75306)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 350 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 15m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 26m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 21m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 37m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 06m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 43m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $28.40 | $56.80 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $31.37 | $62.73 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $33.72 | $67.45 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $36.38 | $72.76 |
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.