How far is Thornton, CO from La Junta, CO?
The driving distance from Thornton, CO to La Junta, CO is about 185.5 miles (298.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 56m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 151.1 miles (243.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 52m 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 56m.
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.
City in Colorado, United States
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 La Junta.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Thornton and La Junta.
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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
8.8 mi · 10 min · Monument Valley Freeway
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8
Continue on Ronald Reagan Highway
915 ft · 12 sec · Ronald Reagan Highway
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9
Keep slight left to continue on Ronald Reagan Highway
22.7 mi · 23 min · Ronald Reagan Highway
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10
Continue on John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
12.9 mi · 13 min · John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
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11
Continue on North Freeway
1.8 mi · 2 min · North Freeway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward US 50 West, CO 47 East: Cañon City
1834 ft · 47 sec
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13
Merge slight right onto César Chávez Memorial Highway
3.7 mi · 5 min · César Chávez Memorial Highway
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14
Take the exit slight left
70 m · 7 sec
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15
Continue on Pete Jimenez Parkway
157 m · 14 sec · Pete Jimenez Parkway
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16
Continue on William White Boulevard
2.8 mi · 4 min · William White Boulevard
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17
Turn right onto Paul Harvey Boulevard
2024 ft · 1 min · Paul Harvey Boulevard
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18
Take the ramp left
1041 ft · 29 sec
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19
Merge slight left
1.6 km · 2 min
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20
Continue straight
6.6 mi · 11 min
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21
Turn left
20.7 mi · 27 min
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22
Turn right
1.7 mi · 3 min
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23
Turn left onto East Cranston Avenue
27.9 mi · 47 min · East Cranston Avenue
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24
Take the exit straight toward 3rd Street
1.1 km · 2 min · West 3rd Street
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25
Turn right onto Santa Fe Avenue
113 m · 16 sec · Santa Fe Avenue
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26
Turn left onto West 4th Street
62 m · 14 sec · West 4th Street
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27
Turn left
7 m · 2 sec
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Thornton and La Junta.
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 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.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Thornton and Sunny near La Junta.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Thornton to La Junta?
The road trip is about 185.5 miles (298.6 km) and usually takes 03h 56m 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?
Fountain is a useful midpoint, sitting about 92.8 miles from Thornton and 92.8 miles from La Junta.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 151.1 miles (243.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 34.4 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 9:08 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.22 one way or $48.44 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 58.2 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 La Junta.
Stop Ideas Near Fountain
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 Fountain.
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Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Thornton and La Junta. Straight-line distance: 151.06 mi (243.1 km).
#1 Thornton
The seventh most populous city in Colorado.
| Population | 148,113 |
| Coordinates | 39.8680400, -104.9719200 |
| Altitude | 1631 |
| Country | United States |
#2 La Junta
City in Colorado
| Population | 6,854 |
| Coordinates | 37.9850100, -103.5438300 |
| Altitude | 1243 |
| Country | United States |
End: La Junta (-103.54383, 37.98501)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 299 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 10m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 38m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 42m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 05m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 39m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 18m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $24.22 | $48.44 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $26.75 | $53.50 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $28.76 | $57.52 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $31.03 | $62.05 |
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.