How far is Thornton, CO from Gilcrest, CO?
The driving distance from Thornton, CO to Gilcrest, CO is about 38.6 miles (62.1 km), with a travel time of about 00h 52m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 30.4 miles (48.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 44m 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 00h 52m.
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 Weld County, Colorado, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Thornton and Gilcrest.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Thornton and Gilcrest.
-
1
Start on the route
23 m · 12 sec
-
2
Turn left onto Dorothy Boulevard
1165 ft · 59 sec · Dorothy Boulevard
-
3
At the end of the road, turn left onto Thornton Parkway
1755 ft · 44 sec · Thornton Parkway
-
4
Turn right onto Washington Street
1.6 km · 2 min · Washington Street
-
5
Turn left onto East 104th Avenue
2512 ft · 57 sec · East 104th Avenue
-
6
Take the ramp slight right toward I 25 North
1401 ft · 26 sec
-
7
Merge slight left onto North Valley Highway
1.1 mi · 1 min · North Valley Highway
-
8
Keep slight right to continue on North Valley Highway
5.3 mi · 6 min · North Valley Highway
-
9
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
15.1 mi · 15 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward CO 66: Lyons, Longmont
1724 ft · 42 sec
-
11
Turn right
8.4 mi · 14 min
-
12
Turn left onto CanAm Highway
5.8 mi · 10 min · CanAm Highway
-
13
Turn left onto Elm Street
19 m · 5 sec · Elm Street
-
14
Turn right onto West Service Road
921 ft · 40 sec · West Service Road
-
15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Service Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Thornton and Gilcrest.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
15.1 mi · 00h 15m
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.
Sunny leaving Thornton and Sunny near Gilcrest.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Thornton to Gilcrest?
The road trip is about 38.6 miles (62.1 km) and usually takes 00h 52m 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?
Firestone is a useful midpoint, sitting about 19.3 miles from Thornton and 19.3 miles from Gilcrest.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 30.4 miles (48.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.2 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 4:46 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.03 one way or $10.06 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Thornton and Sunny near Gilcrest.
Stop Ideas Near Firestone
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Historic Brighton City Hall
Town of Frederick
Lafayette City Hall
Old Town Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Firestone.
Longmont, Colorado
Boulder, Colorado
Union Station
Denver (Bus Station), Colorado
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Thornton and Gilcrest. Straight-line distance: 30.39 mi (48.9 km).
#1 Thornton
The seventh most populous city in Colorado.
| Population | 148,113 |
| Coordinates | 39.8680400, -104.9719200 |
| Altitude | 1631 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Gilcrest
City in Weld County, Colorado, United States of America
| Population | 1,169 |
| Coordinates | 40.2819300, -104.7777500 |
| Altitude | 1449 |
| Country | United States |
End: Gilcrest (-104.77775, 40.28193)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 62 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 17m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 57m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 46m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 38m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 33m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 28m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $5.03 | $10.06 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $5.55 | $11.11 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $5.97 | $11.94 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $6.44 | $12.88 |
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.