How far is Thornton, CO from Denver, CO?
The driving distance from Thornton, CO to Denver, CO is about 10.7 miles (17.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 21m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 8.9 miles (14.4 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.
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.
City in Freeborn County, Minnesota, 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 Denver.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Thornton and Denver.
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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
4.8 mi · 7 min · North Valley Highway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward 38th Avenue, Park Avenue, Downtown
1348 ft · 29 sec
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8
Keep slight left to continue on Park Avenue, Downtown
528 ft · 11 sec
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9
Continue on Park Avenue
3279 ft · 1 min · Park Avenue
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10
Turn straight onto Park Avenue West
2615 ft · 1 min · Park Avenue West
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11
Continue on West 22nd Street
2095 ft · 1 min · West 22nd Street
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12
Turn right onto North Broadway
1.6 km · 3 min · North Broadway
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13
Turn left onto East 14th Avenue
709 ft · 30 sec · East 14th Avenue
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14
Turn left
109 m · 28 sec
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Thornton and Denver.
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.
North Valley Highway
Keep slight right to continue on North Valley Highway
4.84 mi · 00h 07m
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.
Sunny leaving Thornton and Mostly Sunny near Denver.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Thornton to Denver?
The road trip is about 10.7 miles (17.2 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?
Twin Lakes is a useful midpoint, sitting about 5.3 miles from Thornton and 5.3 miles from Denver.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 8.9 miles (14.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 1.8 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 $1.41 one way or $2.81 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 3.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Thornton and Mostly Sunny near Denver.
Stop Ideas Near Twin Lakes
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Fairplay Park
Denver City Council
Town Hall Arts Center
Municipal Court Park
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Twin Lakes.
Denver (Bus Station), Colorado
Union Station
Boulder, Colorado
Longmont, Colorado
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Thornton and Denver. Straight-line distance: 8.93 mi (14.37 km).
#1 Thornton
The seventh most populous city in Colorado.
| Population | 148,113 |
| Coordinates | 39.8680400, -104.9719200 |
| Altitude | 1631 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Denver
The twentieth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Denver metropolitan area.
| Population | 735,538 |
| Coordinates | 39.7391500, -104.9847000 |
| Altitude | 1609 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-104.984198, 39.739139)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 17 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 00h 21m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 16m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 12m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 10m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 09m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 07m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $1.41 | $2.81 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $1.55 | $3.10 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $1.67 | $3.34 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $1.80 | $3.60 |
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 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.