How far is Windsor, CO from Thornton, CO?
The driving distance from Windsor, CO to Thornton, CO is about 48.8 miles (78.5 km), with a travel time of about 00h 52m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 42.3 miles (68 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 45m 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 00h 52m.
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.
Town in Weld County, Colorado, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Windsor and Thornton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Windsor and Thornton.
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1
Start on Elm Street
97 m · 16 sec · Elm Street
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2
Turn right onto 4th Street
148 m · 27 sec · 4th Street
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3
Turn left onto Walnut Street
1482 ft · 43 sec · Walnut Street
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4
Turn right onto 7th Street
152 m · 22 sec · 7th Street
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5
Turn left onto Main Street
1.4 mi · 3 min · Main Street
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6
Continue on Highway 392
2636 ft · 50 sec · Highway 392
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7
Continue on East County Road 32
2.5 mi · 4 min · East County Road 32
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8
Turn left onto I 25 South
1161 ft · 30 sec
-
9
Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
34.4 mi · 34 min · Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
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10
Continue on North Valley Highway
3187 ft · 36 sec · North Valley Highway
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11
Keep slight right to continue on North Valley Highway
7 mi · 8 min · North Valley Highway
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12
Take the exit slight right toward Thornton Parkway
1181 ft · 23 sec
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13
Keep slight left to continue on Thornton Parkway East
35 m · 5 sec
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14
Turn left onto Thornton Parkway
1.6 km · 2 min · Thornton Parkway
-
15
Turn right onto Dorothy Boulevard
1077 ft · 51 sec · Dorothy Boulevard
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16
Turn right
36 m · 9 sec
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Windsor and Thornton.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Merge slight left onto Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
34.4 mi · 00h 34m
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 Windsor and Sunny near Thornton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Windsor to Thornton?
The road trip is about 48.8 miles (78.5 km) and usually takes 00h 52m 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?
Mead is a useful midpoint, sitting about 24.4 miles from Windsor and 24.4 miles from Thornton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 42.3 miles (68 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.5 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 4:44 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.36 one way or $12.72 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 15.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Windsor and Sunny near Thornton.
Stop Ideas Near Mead
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Old Town Hall
Town of Frederick
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Mead.
Longmont, Colorado
Boulder, Colorado
Fort Collins, Colorado
Union Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Windsor and Thornton. Straight-line distance: 42.27 mi (68.03 km).
#1 Windsor
Municipality in Colorado
| Population | 27,659 |
| Coordinates | 40.4774800, -104.9013600 |
| Altitude | 1462 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Thornton
The seventh most populous city in Colorado.
| Population | 148,113 |
| Coordinates | 39.8680400, -104.9719200 |
| Altitude | 1631 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-104.971859, 39.868064)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 78 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 37m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 13m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 00h 58m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 48m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 41m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 36m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.70 | $6.36 | $12.72 |
| Mid-grade | $4.08 | $7.02 | $14.05 |
| Premium | $4.39 | $7.55 | $15.11 |
| Diesel | $4.74 | $8.15 | $16.30 |
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.