How far is Thornton, CO from Fort Carson, CO?
The driving distance from Thornton, CO to Fort Carson, CO is about 87.9 miles (141.5 km), with a travel time of about 01h 46m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 78.7 miles (126.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 32m 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 01h 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 most populous city in Douglas County, Colorado.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Thornton and Fort Carson.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Thornton and Fort Carson.
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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
70.1 mi · 1 hr 18 min · North Valley Highway
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7
Continue on Monument Valley Freeway
7.8 mi · 9 min · Monument Valley Freeway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward CO 115 South: Tejon Street, Nevada Avenue
2749 ft · 1 min
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9
Turn right onto South Nevada Avenue
5.4 mi · 8 min · South Nevada Avenue
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10
Turn left onto Nelson Boulevard
785 ft · 29 sec · Nelson Boulevard
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11
Keep slight left to continue on Nelson Boulevard
31 m · 3 sec · Nelson Boulevard
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12
Keep slight left to continue on Nelson Boulevard
648 ft · 18 sec · Nelson Boulevard
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13
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Nelson Boulevard
43 m · 4 sec · Nelson Boulevard
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14
Exit the roundabout onto Nelson Boulevard
2873 ft · 1 min · Nelson Boulevard
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15
Turn right onto Wetzel Avenue
2262 ft · 1 min · Wetzel Avenue
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16
Turn left onto Prussman Avenue
13 m · 1 sec · Prussman Avenue
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Prussman Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Thornton and Fort Carson.
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.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Thornton and Sunny near Fort Carson.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Thornton to Fort Carson?
The road trip is about 87.9 miles (141.5 km) and usually takes 01h 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?
Castle Rock is a useful midpoint, sitting about 44 miles from Thornton and 43.9 miles from Fort Carson.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 78.7 miles (126.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.2 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 2:58 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $11.46 one way or $22.93 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 27.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers around Thornton and Sunny near Fort Carson.
Stop Ideas Near Castle Rock
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 Castle Rock.
Denver (Bus Station), Colorado
Union Station
Pine Junction, CO
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Thornton and Fort Carson. Straight-line distance: 78.72 mi (126.69 km).
#1 Thornton
The seventh most populous city in Colorado.
| Population | 148,113 |
| Coordinates | 39.8680400, -104.9719200 |
| Altitude | 1631 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Fort Carson
United States Army installation
| Population | 13,813 |
| Coordinates | 38.7374900, -104.7888600 |
| Altitude | 1780 |
| Country | United States |
End: Fort Carson (-104.78886, 38.73749)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 142 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 55m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 11m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 45m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 27m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 15m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 05m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $11.46 | $22.93 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $12.66 | $25.32 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $13.61 | $27.22 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $14.68 | $29.37 |
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.