How far is Thornton, CO from Parker, CO?
The driving distance from Thornton, CO to Parker, CO is about 34.5 miles (55.6 km), with a travel time of about 00h 44m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 26.6 miles (42.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 28m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM MDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This is an easy same-day return drive.
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 44m.
This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.
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.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Thornton and Parker.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Thornton and Parker.
-
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
23.4 mi · 30 min · North Valley Highway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward E-470 North, CO 470 West: Limon, Grand Junction
890 ft · 15 sec
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8
Keep slight left to continue on E-470 North: Limon
1.3 km · 2 min
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9
Merge slight left onto E-470
4.4 mi · 4 min · E-470
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10
Take the exit slight right toward CO 83
2145 ft · 49 sec
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11
Turn slight right onto CO 83 South: Parker Road
614 ft · 15 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto South Parker Road
2.1 mi · 3 min · South Parker Road
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13
Turn left onto East Mainstreet
1132 ft · 50 sec · East Mainstreet
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14
Turn left onto South Pikes Peak Drive
30 m · 4 sec · South Pikes Peak Drive
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Pikes Peak Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Thornton and Parker.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
North Valley Highway
Keep slight right to continue on North Valley Highway
23.4 mi · 00h 30m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A short regional drive
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
Sunny leaving Thornton and Mostly Sunny near Parker.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Thornton to Parker?
The road trip is about 34.5 miles (55.6 km) and usually takes 00h 44m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Glendale is a useful midpoint, sitting about 17.2 miles from Thornton and 17.3 miles from Parker.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 26.6 miles (42.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.9 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 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:02 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.51 one way or $9.02 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 10.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Thornton and Mostly Sunny near Parker.
Stop Ideas Near Glendale
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Fairplay Park
Denver City Council
Town Hall Arts Center
Municipal Court Park
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Glendale.
Denver (Bus Station), Colorado
Union Station
Pine Junction, CO
Boulder, Colorado
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Thornton and Parker. Straight-line distance: 26.61 mi (42.83 km).
#1 Thornton
The seventh most populous city in Colorado.
| Population | 148,113 |
| Coordinates | 39.8680400, -104.9719200 |
| Altitude | 1631 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Parker
The most populous city in Douglas County, Colorado.
| Population | 58,673 |
| Coordinates | 39.5186000, -104.7613600 |
| Altitude | 1789 |
| Country | United States |
End: South Pikes Peak Drive (-104.761393, 39.518605)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 56 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 09m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 00h 51m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 41m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 34m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 29m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 25m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $4.51 | $9.02 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $4.98 | $9.96 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $5.36 | $10.71 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $5.78 | $11.56 |
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.