How far is Thornton, CO from Julesburg, CO?
The driving distance from Thornton, CO to Julesburg, CO is about 177 miles (284.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 05m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 162.1 miles (260.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 10m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 05m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 Morgan County, Colorado, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain And Snow Showers
Rain And Snow Showers Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Thornton and Julesburg.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Thornton and Julesburg.
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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 · 55 sec · Dorothy Boulevard
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3
At the end of the road, turn right onto Thornton Parkway
1.7 mi · 3 min · Thornton Parkway
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4
Turn right onto Colorado Boulevard
1.6 km · 2 min · Colorado Boulevard
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5
Turn left onto East 88th Avenue
1.6 mi · 3 min · East 88th Avenue
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6
Take the ramp left toward I 76 East: Brush
1052 ft · 26 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Heartland Expressway
1.8 mi · 2 min · Heartland Expressway
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8
Keep slight right to continue on Heartland Expressway
167.5 mi · 2 hr 48 min · Heartland Expressway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward US 385: Julesburg
1543 ft · 45 sec
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10
Turn left onto US Highway 385
1.9 mi · 3 min · US Highway 385
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11
At the end of the road, turn left
3244 ft · 1 min
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12
Turn right onto Cedar Street
863 ft · 24 sec · Cedar Street
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13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Cedar Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Thornton and Julesburg.
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
Keep slight right to continue on Heartland Expressway
167 mi · 02h 48m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Rain And Snow Showers leaving Thornton and Rain And Snow Showers Likely near Julesburg.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Thornton to Julesburg?
The road trip is about 177 miles (284.8 km) and usually takes 03h 05m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Hillrose is a useful midpoint, sitting about 88.4 miles from Thornton and 88.6 miles from Julesburg.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 162.1 miles (260.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 14.9 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:50 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.11 one way or $46.23 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 55.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain And Snow Showers around Thornton and Rain And Snow Showers Likely near Julesburg.
Stop Ideas Near Hillrose
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 Hillrose.
Fort Morgan
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Thornton and Julesburg. Straight-line distance: 162.07 mi (260.83 km).
#1 Thornton
The seventh most populous city in Colorado.
| Population | 148,113 |
| Coordinates | 39.8680400, -104.9719200 |
| Altitude | 1631 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Julesburg
City in Sedgwick County, Colorado, United States of America
| Population | 1,161 |
| Coordinates | 40.9883300, -102.2643500 |
| Altitude | 1060 |
| Country | United States |
End: Julesburg (-102.26435, 40.98833)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 285 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 53m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 25m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 32m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 56m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 31m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 12m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $23.11 | $46.23 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $25.53 | $51.05 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $27.44 | $54.89 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $29.61 | $59.21 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.