How far is Thornton, CO from Manitou Springs, CO?
The driving distance from Thornton, CO to Manitou Springs, CO is about 82.4 miles (132.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 40m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 69.7 miles (112.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 20m 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 40m.
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 then Slight Chance Snow Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Thornton and Manitou Springs.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Thornton and Manitou Springs.
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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
3.3 mi · 4 min · Monument Valley Freeway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward Fillmore Street
692 ft · 17 sec
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9
Keep slight right to continue on Fillmore Street West
71 m · 8 sec
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10
Continue on West Fillmore Street
1.4 mi · 3 min · West Fillmore Street
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11
Continue on Fontmore Road
1 km · 1 min · Fontmore Road
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12
Continue on West Fontanero Street
1403 ft · 34 sec · West Fontanero Street
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13
Turn left onto North 31st Street
1.1 km · 2 min · North 31st Street
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14
Turn sharp right onto West Cimarron Street
927 ft · 20 sec · West Cimarron Street
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15
Continue on Midland Expressway
2.2 mi · 3 min · Midland Expressway
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16
Turn left onto Sunshine Trail
956 ft · 43 sec · Sunshine Trail
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17
Turn right onto Washington Avenue
1615 ft · 1 min · Washington Avenue
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18
Turn right onto Cañon Avenue
44 m · 7 sec · Cañon Avenue
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19
Turn right
27 m · 7 sec
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Thornton and Manitou Springs.
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 then Slight Chance Snow Showers near Manitou Springs.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Thornton to Manitou Springs?
The road trip is about 82.4 miles (132.6 km) and usually takes 01h 40m 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 41.2 miles from Thornton and 41.1 miles from Manitou Springs.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 69.7 miles (112.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.7 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 3:10 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.76 one way or $21.52 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 25.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers around Thornton and Sunny then Slight Chance Snow Showers near Manitou Springs.
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 Manitou Springs. Straight-line distance: 69.73 mi (112.22 km).
#1 Thornton
The seventh most populous city in Colorado.
| Population | 148,113 |
| Coordinates | 39.8680400, -104.9719200 |
| Altitude | 1631 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Manitou Springs
City in Colorado
| Population | 5,461 |
| Coordinates | 38.8597100, -104.9172000 |
| Altitude | 1938 |
| Country | United States |
End: Manitou Springs (-104.9172, 38.85971)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 133 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 02h 44m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 03m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 38m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 22m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 10m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 01m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $10.76 | $21.52 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $11.88 | $23.77 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $12.78 | $25.56 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $13.78 | $27.57 |
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.