How far is Thornton, CO from Walsenburg, CO?
The driving distance from Thornton, CO to Walsenburg, CO is about 171.2 miles (275.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 08m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 155.4 miles (250.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 17m 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 08m.
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.
Census-designated place in El Paso County, Colorado
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Thornton and Walsenburg.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Thornton and Walsenburg.
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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
8.8 mi · 10 min · Monument Valley Freeway
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8
Continue on Ronald Reagan Highway
915 ft · 12 sec · Ronald Reagan Highway
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9
Keep slight left to continue on Ronald Reagan Highway
22.7 mi · 23 min · Ronald Reagan Highway
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10
Continue on John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
12.9 mi · 13 min · John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
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11
Continue on North Freeway
2.6 mi · 3 min · North Freeway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward 29th Street
2351 ft · 33 sec
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13
Merge slight left onto North Freeway
1 mi · 1 min · North Freeway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward 13th Street
792 ft · 12 sec
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15
Continue straight
1189 ft · 18 sec
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16
Merge slight left onto North Freeway
6.1 mi · 8 min · North Freeway
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17
Continue on John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
40.5 mi · 41 min · John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway
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18
Take the exit slight right toward South I 25 Business, US 160 West: Walsenburg, Alamosa
2.7 mi · 4 min
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19
Turn left onto East 6th Street
47 m · 12 sec · East 6th Street
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20
Turn left
29 m · 7 sec
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Thornton and Walsenburg.
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 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.
Sunny leaving Thornton and Sunny near Walsenburg.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Thornton to Walsenburg?
The road trip is about 171.2 miles (275.5 km) and usually takes 03h 08m 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?
Stratmoor is a useful midpoint, sitting about 85.7 miles from Thornton and 85.5 miles from Walsenburg.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 155.4 miles (250.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.8 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 10:42 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.34 one way or $44.67 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 53.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Thornton and Sunny near Walsenburg.
Stop Ideas Near Stratmoor
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 Stratmoor.
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Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Thornton and Walsenburg. Straight-line distance: 155.38 mi (250.06 km).
#1 Thornton
The seventh most populous city in Colorado.
| Population | 148,113 |
| Coordinates | 39.8680400, -104.9719200 |
| Altitude | 1631 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Walsenburg
City in Huerfano County, Colorado, United States of America
| Population | 3,003 |
| Coordinates | 37.6241800, -104.7802600 |
| Altitude | 1881 |
| Country | United States |
End: Walsenburg (-104.78026, 37.62418)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 276 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 42m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 16m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 25m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 51m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 26m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 08m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $22.34 | $44.67 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $24.67 | $49.33 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $26.52 | $53.04 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $28.61 | $57.22 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.