How far is Thornton, CO from Ponderosa Park, CO?
The driving distance from Thornton, CO to Ponderosa Park, CO is about 46.7 miles (75.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 09m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 36 miles (58 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 18m 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 09m.
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.
City in Hamlin County, South Dakota, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Thornton and Ponderosa Park.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Thornton and Ponderosa Park.
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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
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
3.9 mi · 6 min · South Parker Road
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13
Turn left onto Hess Road
3129 ft · 1 min · Hess Road
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14
Continue on Hilltop Road
4.7 mi · 8 min · Hilltop Road
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15
Continue on Flintwood Road
3.4 mi · 6 min · Flintwood Road
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16
Turn left onto Ponderosa Lane
1.8 mi · 4 min · Ponderosa Lane
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17
Turn left onto Verdos Drive
893 ft · 39 sec · Verdos Drive
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Verdos Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Thornton and Ponderosa Park.
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
23.4 mi · 00h 30m
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 leaving Thornton and Mostly Sunny near Ponderosa Park.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Thornton to Ponderosa Park?
The road trip is about 46.7 miles (75.1 km) and usually takes 01h 09m 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?
Castlewood is a useful midpoint, sitting about 23.4 miles from Thornton and 23.4 miles from Ponderosa Park.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 36 miles (58 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.7 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 4:12 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.10 one way or $12.20 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 14.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Thornton and Mostly Sunny near Ponderosa Park.
Stop Ideas Near Castlewood
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Fairplay Park
Denver City Council
Town Hall Arts Center
City of Littleton
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Castlewood.
Denver (Bus Station), Colorado
Union Station
Pine Junction, CO
Boulder, Colorado
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Thornton and Ponderosa Park. Straight-line distance: 36.06 mi (58.03 km).
#1 Thornton
The seventh most populous city in Colorado.
| Population | 148,113 |
| Coordinates | 39.8680400, -104.9719200 |
| Altitude | 1631 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Ponderosa Park
Census-designated place in Elbert County, Colorado
| Population | 3,232 |
| Coordinates | 39.4083200, -104.6510800 |
| Altitude | 2037 |
| Country | United States |
End: Ponderosa Park (-104.65108, 39.40832)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 75 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 33m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 10m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 56m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 46m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 40m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 34m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $6.10 | $12.20 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $6.74 | $13.48 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $7.25 | $14.49 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $7.82 | $15.63 |
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 16, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.