How far is Thornton, CO from Cortez, CO?
The driving distance from Thornton, CO to Cortez, CO is about 387.7 miles (623.9 km), with a travel time of about 08h 48m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 261.4 miles (420.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 17h 37m 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 08h 48m.
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.
Human settlement in Colorado, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Thornton and Cortez.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Thornton and Cortez.
-
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
-
9
Merge slight left
8.7 mi · 10 min
-
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
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
46.1 mi · 1 hr
-
24
Take the exit slight left
588 ft · 25 sec
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25
At the end of the road, turn left
44.9 mi · 1 hr 1 min
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26
Turn right onto North Market Street
59 m · 11 sec · North Market Street
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27
Turn left
65 m · 16 sec
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Thornton and Cortez.
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.
Sunny leaving Thornton and Mostly Sunny near Cortez.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Thornton to Cortez?
The road trip is about 387.7 miles (623.9 km) and usually takes 08h 48m 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?
Saguache is a useful midpoint, sitting about 193.7 miles from Thornton and 193.9 miles from Cortez.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 261.4 miles (420.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 126.3 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 $50.59 one way or $101.18 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 121.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Thornton and Mostly Sunny near Cortez.
Stop Ideas Near Saguache
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 Saguache.
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Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Thornton and Cortez. Straight-line distance: 261.44 mi (420.74 km).
#1 Thornton
The seventh most populous city in Colorado.
| Population | 148,113 |
| Coordinates | 39.8680400, -104.9719200 |
| Altitude | 1631 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Cortez
Town in and county seat of Montezuma County, Colorado, United States
| Population | 8,734 |
| Coordinates | 37.3488800, -108.5859300 |
| Altitude | 1887 |
| Country | United States |
End: Cortez (-108.58593, 37.34888)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 624 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 12h 55m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 09h 41m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 07h 45m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 06h 27m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 32m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 50m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $50.59 | $101.18 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $55.87 | $111.74 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $60.07 | $120.14 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $64.80 | $129.60 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.