How far is Thornton, CO from Colorado City, CO?
The driving distance from Thornton, CO to Colorado City, CO is about 149.2 miles (240.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 46m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 133 miles (214.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 33m 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 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.
The second most populous city in Colorado and the center of the Colorado Springs metropolitan area.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Thornton and Colorado City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Thornton and Colorado City.
-
1
Start on the route
23 m · 12 sec
-
2
Turn left onto Dorothy Boulevard
1165 ft · 59 sec · Dorothy Boulevard
-
3
At the end of the road, turn left onto Thornton Parkway
1.6 km · 2 min · Thornton Parkway
-
4
Turn left onto I 25 South: Colorado Springs
1973 ft · 40 sec
-
5
Merge slight left onto North Valley Highway
1.2 mi · 2 min · North Valley Highway
-
6
Keep slight right to continue on North Valley Highway
70.1 mi · 1 hr 18 min · North Valley Highway
-
7
Continue on Monument Valley Freeway
8.8 mi · 10 min · Monument Valley Freeway
-
8
Continue on Ronald Reagan Highway
915 ft · 12 sec · Ronald Reagan Highway
-
9
Keep slight left to continue on Ronald Reagan Highway
22.7 mi · 23 min · Ronald Reagan Highway
-
10
Continue on John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
12.9 mi · 13 min · John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
-
11
Continue on North Freeway
2.6 mi · 3 min · North Freeway
-
12
Take the exit slight right toward 29th Street
2351 ft · 33 sec
-
13
Merge slight left onto North Freeway
1 mi · 1 min · North Freeway
-
14
Take the exit slight right toward 13th Street
792 ft · 12 sec
-
15
Continue straight
1189 ft · 18 sec
-
16
Merge slight left onto North Freeway
6.1 mi · 8 min · North Freeway
-
17
Continue on John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
18.5 mi · 18 min · John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
-
18
Take the exit slight right toward CO 165 West: Colorado City, Rye
1350 ft · 33 sec
-
19
Turn right
2.5 mi · 4 min
-
20
Turn right onto Bent Brothers Boulevard
52 m · 9 sec · Bent Brothers Boulevard
-
21
Turn right
51 m · 12 sec
-
22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Thornton and Colorado 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 Chance Rain Showers near Colorado City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Thornton to Colorado City?
The road trip is about 149.2 miles (240.1 km) and usually takes 02h 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?
Colorado Springs is a useful midpoint, sitting about 74.7 miles from Thornton and 74.5 miles from Colorado City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 133 miles (214.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 16.2 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 12:56 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.45 one way or $38.90 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 46.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Thornton and Chance Rain Showers near Colorado City.
Stop Ideas Near Colorado Springs
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 Colorado Springs.
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Pueblo, Colorado
Pine Junction, CO
Denver (Bus Station), Colorado
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Thornton and Colorado City. Straight-line distance: 133.05 mi (214.13 km).
#1 Thornton
The seventh most populous city in Colorado.
| Population | 148,113 |
| Coordinates | 39.8680400, -104.9719200 |
| Altitude | 1631 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Colorado City
Colorado City is a place in Colorado, United States.
| Population | 0 |
| Coordinates | 37.9452900, -104.8352600 |
| Altitude | 1784 |
| Country | United States |
End: Colorado City (-104.83526, 37.94529)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 240 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 58m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 43m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 59m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 29m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 07m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 51m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $19.45 | $38.90 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $21.48 | $42.96 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $23.10 | $46.19 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $24.92 | $49.83 |
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.