How far is Thornton, CO from Rifle, CO?
The driving distance from Thornton, CO to Rifle, CO is about 190.5 miles (306.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 40m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 151.2 miles (243.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 20m 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 40m.
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.
Home Rule Municipality in Eagle County, Colorado, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Sunny then Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Thornton and Rifle.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Thornton and Rifle.
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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
1.5 mi · 2 min · North Valley Highway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 76 West: Arvada, Grand Junction
1.5 km · 2 min
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8
Merge slight left onto Heartland Expressway
5.2 mi · 6 min · Heartland Expressway
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9
Merge slight left
179.1 mi · 3 hr 22 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward CO 13 North: Rifle, Meeker
1067 ft · 27 sec
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11
Turn right
2556 ft · 1 min
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12
Continue on Railroad Avenue
1824 ft · 48 sec · Railroad Avenue
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13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Railroad Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Thornton and Rifle.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Heartland Expressway
Merge slight left
179 mi · 03h 22m
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 Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Thornton and Mostly Sunny then Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms near Rifle.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Thornton to Rifle?
The road trip is about 190.5 miles (306.6 km) and usually takes 03h 40m 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?
Vail is a useful midpoint, sitting about 95.1 miles from Thornton and 95.4 miles from Rifle.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 151.2 miles (243.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 39.3 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 9:40 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.85 one way or $49.70 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 59.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Thornton and Mostly Sunny then Isolated Showers And Thunderstorms near Rifle.
Stop Ideas Near Vail
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 Vail.
Vail, Colorado
Frisco, Colorado
Fairplay, CO
Fraser – Winter Park
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Thornton and Rifle. Straight-line distance: 151.2 mi (243.33 km).
#1 Thornton
The seventh most populous city in Colorado.
| Population | 148,113 |
| Coordinates | 39.8680400, -104.9719200 |
| Altitude | 1631 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Rifle
City in Colorado
| Population | 9,775 |
| Coordinates | 39.5347000, -107.7831200 |
| Altitude | 1630 |
| Country | United States |
End: Rifle (-107.78312, 39.5347)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 307 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 20m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 45m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 48m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 10m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 43m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 22m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $24.85 | $49.70 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $27.44 | $54.89 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $29.51 | $59.02 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $31.83 | $63.67 |
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 · May 25, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.