How far is Thornton, CO from Edwards, CO?
The driving distance from Thornton, CO to Edwards, CO is about 117.2 miles (188.6 km), with a travel time of about 02h 21m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 87.6 miles (140.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 42m 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 21m.
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.
Human settlement in Clear Creek County, Colorado, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Chance Snow Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Thornton and Edwards.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Thornton and Edwards.
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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
106.1 mi · 2 hr 4 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward Edwards
1028 ft · 25 sec
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11
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Edwards Access Road
76 m · 5 sec · Edwards Access Road
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12
Exit the roundabout onto Edwards Access Road
96 m · 6 sec · Edwards Access Road
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13
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Edwards Access Road
32 m · 2 sec · Edwards Access Road
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14
Exit the roundabout onto Edwards Access Road
92 m · 6 sec · Edwards Access Road
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15
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Edwards Access Road
23 m · 2 sec · Edwards Access Road
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16
Exit the roundabout onto Edwards Access Road
1949 ft · 41 sec · Edwards Access Road
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17
Turn right
64 m · 16 sec
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Thornton and Edwards.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Heartland Expressway
Merge slight left
106 mi · 02h 04m
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.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Thornton and Chance Snow Showers near Edwards.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Thornton to Edwards?
The road trip is about 117.2 miles (188.6 km) and usually takes 02h 21m 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?
Silver Plume is a useful midpoint, sitting about 58.5 miles from Thornton and 58.7 miles from Edwards.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 87.6 miles (140.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 29.6 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 1:48 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.31 one way or $30.62 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 36.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers around Thornton and Chance Snow Showers near Edwards.
Stop Ideas Near Silver Plume
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 Silver Plume.
Fraser – Winter Park
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Pine Junction, CO
Granby
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Thornton and Edwards. Straight-line distance: 87.54 mi (140.88 km).
#1 Thornton
The seventh most populous city in Colorado.
| Population | 148,113 |
| Coordinates | 39.8680400, -104.9719200 |
| Altitude | 1631 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Edwards
Location in Colorado, USA
| Population | 10,266 |
| Coordinates | 39.6449900, -106.5942000 |
| Altitude | 2201 |
| Country | United States |
End: Edwards (-106.5942, 39.64499)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 189 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 54m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 55m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 20m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 57m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 40m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 27m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $15.31 | $30.62 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $16.91 | $33.82 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $18.18 | $36.36 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $19.61 | $39.22 |
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.