How far is Thornton, CO from Ellicott, CO?

The driving distance from Thornton, CO to Ellicott, CO is about 100.5 miles (161.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 01m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 77.7 miles (125.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 03m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
100.48 mi
02h 01m
Flight
77.71 mi
125.06 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Thornton.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
77.71 mi
Kilometers
125.06 km
Flight Time
00h 09m

Driving Distance

Road route
100.48 mi
Kilometers
161.71 km
Drive Time
02h 01m

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 01m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Ellicott
Thu, Oct 15, 4:46 PM MDT
Return by in Thornton
Thu, Oct 15, 6:48 PM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Thornton
2026-10-15T14:44
Arrive Ellicott
Thu, Oct 15, 4:46 PM MDT
Route Timing
02h 01m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:02 AM to 12:02 PM MDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
2:26 PM MDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Thornton
9:30 PM MDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Larkspur
CO

Human settlement in Douglas County, Colorado, United States of America

From Thornton
50.3 mi
01h 00m
To Ellicott
50.2 mi
01h 00m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
54°F
Today

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Thu, Oct 15 8:00 AM MDT
Wind
12 to 18 mph N
Destination
52°F
Thursday

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Oct 15 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
25 to 30 mph NNW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Thornton and Ellicott.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Thornton and Ellicott.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    23 m · 12 sec

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Dorothy Boulevard

    1165 ft · 59 sec · Dorothy Boulevard

  3. 3

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Thornton Parkway

    1.6 km · 2 min · Thornton Parkway

  4. 4

    Turn left onto I 25 South: Colorado Springs

    1973 ft · 40 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto North Valley Highway

    1.2 mi · 2 min · North Valley Highway

  6. 6

    Keep slight right to continue on North Valley Highway

    65 mi · 1 hr 12 min · North Valley Highway

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward Interquest Parkway

    1.1 km · 2 min

  8. 8

    Continue on Interquest Parkway

    1.9 mi · 3 min · Interquest Parkway

  9. 9

    Turn right onto North Powers Boulevard

    10.1 mi · 13 min · North Powers Boulevard

  10. 10

    Turn left onto Constitution Avenue

    2 mi · 4 min · Constitution Avenue

  11. 11

    Turn right onto Marksheffel Road

    1.9 mi · 3 min · Marksheffel Road

  12. 12

    Turn left onto Highway 94

    16.1 mi · 19 min · Highway 94

  13. 13

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Thornton and Ellicott.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
13 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
North Valley Highway
66.2 mi · 66%
Highway 94
16.1 mi · 16%
North Powers Boulevard
10.1 mi · 10%
Interquest Parkway
2.58 mi · 3%
Constitution Avenue
2.04 mi · 2%
Marksheffel Road
1.92 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

North Valley Highway

Keep slight right to continue on North Valley Highway

65 mi · 01h 12m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
02h 01m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 04m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+22.8 mi
77.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Larkspur
01h 00m from Thornton
Leave By
2:26 PM MDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving Thornton and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny near Ellicott.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Thornton to Ellicott?

The road trip is about 100.5 miles (161.7 km) and usually takes 02h 01m 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?

Larkspur is a useful midpoint, sitting about 50.3 miles from Thornton and 50.2 miles from Ellicott.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 77.7 miles (125.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 22.8 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:26 PM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.35 one way or $30.71 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 31.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Thornton and Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny near Ellicott.

Stop Ideas Near Larkspur

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Larkspur, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Larkspur.

BUS

Colorado Springs, Colorado

44 mi away
120 South Weber Street
BUS

Pine Junction, CO

51 mi away
76 Mount Evans Boulevard
BUS

Denver (Bus Station), Colorado

59 mi away
1055 19th Street
RAIL

Union Station

59 mi away
1701 Wynkoop Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Thornton and Ellicott. Straight-line distance: 77.71 mi (125.06 km).

Thornton

#1 Thornton

The seventh most populous city in Colorado.

Population148,113
Coordinates39.8680400, -104.9719200
Altitude1631
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Ellicott

Situated in El Paso County at an elevation of 6,020 feet, this census-designated place lies on the semi-arid high plains east of Colorado Springs.

Population0
Coordinates38.8383300, -104.3869100
Altitude1835
CountryUnited States
Start: Thornton (-104.97192, 39.86804)
End: Ellicott (-104.38691, 38.83833)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 162 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 20m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 30m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 00m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 40m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 26m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 15m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.55 gal
13.42 L · about $15.35
Round trip
$30.71
7.1 gal · 26.84 L
Estimated CO2
31.5 kg one way
Round trip: 63.1 kg / 139 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.33 $15.35 $30.71
Mid-grade $4.72 $16.75 $33.50
Premium $5.06 $17.97 $35.95
Diesel $6.52 $23.14 $46.27

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 · Oct 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Thornton and Ellicott. The current time is 14:44:16.

Distance to Other Cities

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.