How far is Thornton, CO from Milliken, CO?

The driving distance from Thornton, CO to Milliken, CO is about 39.9 miles (64.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 49m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 32.5 miles (52.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 38m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
39.88 mi
00h 49m
Flight
32.47 mi
52.26 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Thornton.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
32.47 mi
Kilometers
52.26 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
39.88 mi
Kilometers
64.18 km
Drive Time
00h 49m

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 49m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Milliken
Thu, Apr 23, 2:59 AM MDT
Return by in Thornton
Thu, Apr 23, 3:48 AM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Thornton
2026-04-23T02:09
Arrive Milliken
Thu, Apr 23, 2:59 AM MDT
Route Timing
00h 49m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:49 AM to 10:49 AM MDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:52 PM MDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Thornton
9:30 PM MDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Firestone
CO

Human settlement in Weld County, Colorado, United States of America

From Thornton
19.9 mi
00h 24m
To Milliken
19.9 mi
00h 24m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
68°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
9 to 17 mph W
Destination
69°F
Thursday

Mostly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
13 to 24 mph WNW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Thornton and Milliken.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Thornton and Milliken.

  1. 1

    Start on the route

    23 m · 12 sec

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Dorothy Boulevard

    1165 ft · 59 sec · Dorothy Boulevard

  3. 3

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Thornton Parkway

    1755 ft · 44 sec · Thornton Parkway

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Washington Street

    1.6 km · 2 min · Washington Street

  5. 5

    Turn left onto East 104th Avenue

    2512 ft · 57 sec · East 104th Avenue

  6. 6

    Take the ramp slight right toward I 25 North

    1401 ft · 26 sec

  7. 7

    Merge slight left onto North Valley Highway

    1.1 mi · 1 min · North Valley Highway

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on North Valley Highway

    5.3 mi · 6 min · North Valley Highway

  9. 9

    Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

    24.2 mi · 24 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward CO 60 East: Johnstown, Milliken

    1697 ft · 41 sec

  11. 11

    Keep slight right

    84 m · 7 sec

  12. 12

    Turn straight onto West South 1st Street

    6.5 mi · 11 min · West South 1st Street

  13. 13

    Turn right onto South Grace Avenue

    46 m · 14 sec · South Grace Avenue

  14. 14

    Turn left

    52 m · 15 sec

  15. 15

    Turn right

    33 m · 8 sec

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Thornton and Milliken.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
16 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
40.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
24.2 mi · 61%
West South 1st Street
6.55 mi · 16%
North Valley Highway
6.4 mi · 16%
Washington Street
0.99 mi · 2%
East 104th Avenue
0.48 mi · 1%
CO 60 East
0.37 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

Continue on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway

24.2 mi · 00h 24m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
00h 49m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 38m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+7.4 mi
32.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Firestone
00h 24m from Thornton
Leave By
4:52 PM MDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Thornton and Mostly Sunny near Milliken.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Thornton to Milliken?

The road trip is about 39.9 miles (64.2 km) and usually takes 00h 49m 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 19.9 miles from Thornton and 19.9 miles from Milliken.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 32.5 miles (52.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.4 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:52 PM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.21 one way or $10.43 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 12.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers around Thornton and Mostly Sunny near Milliken.

Stop Ideas Near Firestone

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Firestone and the surrounding midpoint area.
Historic Brighton City Hall
Scenic stop 13.8 mi away

Historic Brighton City Hall

Brighton , CO
22 S 4th Ave, Brighton, CO 80601
Rating 4.3/5 31 reviews Historical place,City Hall
Town of Frederick
Meeting point 3.8 mi away

Town of Frederick

Frederick , CO
401 Locust St, Frederick, CO 80530
Rating 3.8/5 12 reviews City government office,City Hall
Lafayette City Hall
Nearby stop 12.2 mi away

Lafayette City Hall

Lafayette , CO
1290 S Public Rd, Lafayette, CO 80026
Rating 5.0/5 2 reviews City administration
Old Town Hall
Scenic stop 3.7 mi away

Old Town Hall

Frederick , CO
105 Fifth St, Frederick, CO 80530
Rating 4.0/5 2 reviews Historical landmark,History museum

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Firestone.

BUS

Longmont, Colorado

15 mi away
623 Main St.
BUS

Boulder, Colorado

30 mi away
30th & Diagonal Highway
RAIL

Union Station

40 mi away
1701 Wynkoop Street
BUS

Denver (Bus Station), Colorado

41 mi away
1055 19th Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Thornton and Milliken. Straight-line distance: 32.47 mi (52.26 km).

Thornton

#1 Thornton

The seventh most populous city in Colorado.

Population148,113
Coordinates39.8680400, -104.9719200
Altitude1631
CountryUnited States
Milliken

#2 Milliken

City in Weld County, Colorado, United States of America

Population8,688
Coordinates40.3294300, -104.8552500
Altitude1448
CountryUnited States
Start: Thornton (-104.97192, 39.86804)
End: Milliken (-104.85525, 40.32943)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 64 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 19m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 59m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 47m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 39m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 34m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 29m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.41 gal
5.33 L · about $5.21
Round trip
$10.43
2.82 gal · 10.66 L
Estimated CO2
12.5 kg one way
Round trip: 25.1 kg / 55 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.70 $5.21 $10.43
Mid-grade $4.08 $5.76 $11.52
Premium $4.39 $6.19 $12.38
Diesel $4.74 $6.68 $13.36

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

There is no time difference between Thornton and Milliken. The current time is 02:09:45.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.