Origin
Elizabeth, CO
Evening in Elizabeth on Sunday
Local time
7:35 PM
MDT
Current temp
36°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Elizabeth, CO to Thornton, CO
Drive Time
1h 3m
Distance
52.5 mi
85 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 59m
★
6 AM
1h 4m
8 AM
1h 14m
10 AM
1h 7m
12 PM
1h 6m
3 PM
1h 8m
5 PM
1h 14m
8 PM
1h 1m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Elizabeth, CO
RDNE Stock project
Thornton, CO
Robert So
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from Elizabeth to Thornton, you are looking at a 52.5-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 3 minutes. This route stays entirely within the Mountain West region of Colorado, making it a straightforward day trip that does not require an overnight stay. You will navigate primarily through local roads like East Broadway Street, Pine Street, and East Kiowa Avenue rather than major interstates. With a fuel cost of approximately $7, it is an affordable excursion for those needing to travel between these two points. Because the drive is relatively short and direct, you can easily complete it in a single day, leaving plenty of time to attend to your business or plans upon arrival.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
26.3 miles from Elizabeth, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 31m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this route features zero highway miles, meaning you will be navigating surface streets for the entire 52.5-mile duration. There is no single long, uninterrupted stretch of road here, as the journey relies on transitions between East Broadway Street, Pine Street, and East Kiowa Avenue. You will find that the personality of the drive remains consistent as a technical, local-focused trip rather than a high-speed cruise. Be prepared for constant adjustments and turns rather than long periods of open, straight-line driving.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
East Broadway Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Elizabeth, CO to Thornton, CO is easy. At 1h 3m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Elizabeth, CO to Thornton, CO is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East Broadway Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Pine Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East Kiowa Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Highway 83 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South Parker Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 25 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| E-470 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 25 North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
East Broadway Street
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Elizabeth, CO and Thornton, CO.
1
Start on the route
89 ft
·
12 sec
·
the route
2
Turn left onto East Broadway Street
138 ft
·
8 sec
·
East Broadway Street
3
Turn right onto Pine Street
390 ft
·
21 sec
·
Pine Street
4
Turn left onto East Kiowa Avenue
8.8 mi
·
12 min
·
East Kiowa Avenue
5
Take the exit slight right
456 ft
·
13 sec
6
Merge slight left onto North State Highway 83
4.5 mi
·
6 min
·
North State Highway 83
7
Continue on South Parker Road
6.8 mi
·
10 min
·
South Parker Road
8
Take the exit slight right toward E470 Toll South, I 25: Colorado Springs
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
E470 Toll South, I 25: Colorado Springs
9
Merge slight left onto E-470
4.9 mi
·
4 min
·
E-470
10
Take the exit slight right toward I 25: Denver, Colorado Springs
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
I 25: Denver, Colorado Springs
11
Keep slight right to continue on I 25 North: Denver
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
I 25 North: Denver
12
Continue on I 25 North: Denver
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
I 25 North: Denver
13
Merge slight left
23 mi
·
29 min
14
Keep slight right to continue on North Valley Highway
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
North Valley Highway
15
Take the exit slight right toward Thornton Parkway
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
·
Thornton Parkway
16
Turn right onto Thornton Parkway
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Thornton Parkway
17
Turn right onto Dorothy Boulevard
0.2 mi
·
51 sec
·
Dorothy Boulevard
18
Turn right
118 ft
·
9 sec
19
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since this 1-hour and 3-minute drive is quite short, you have significant flexibility regarding your departure time. You can easily fit this trip into a morning or afternoon window without needing to schedule elaborate stops, as there are zero required stops along the way. Keep in mind that your fuel budget is roughly $7, so it is a good idea to ensure your tank is ready for the trip before you head out. Because you will be navigating local roads the entire time, pay close attention to street signage and local traffic patterns as you transition between East Broadway Street and the other main roads. This practical approach to planning will help you manage the drive efficiently without any unnecessary stress.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 26.3 miles from Elizabeth, CO, or about 31m into the drive.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 52.5 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 26.3 miles or 31m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 54m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Thornton, CO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Elizabeth, CO so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Elizabeth, CO
This is one driving day of about 52.5 miles and 1h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Elizabeth, CO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 26.3 mi from Elizabeth, CO · 31m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
26 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 52.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 26.3 miles from Elizabeth, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Thornton, CO
The final approach into Thornton, CO usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Thornton, CO.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$7.96 one way
$15.91 round trip
$3.85/gal
25.4 MPG avg
18 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.08 | $8.44 | $16.88 |
| premium | $4.43 | $9.16 | $18.33 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $11.66 | $23.33 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$8
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$33–$58
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 18.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 15.8 | 0 | $5.51 | $2.52 |
| Efficient EV | 13.1 | 0 | $4.59 | $2.10 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 21 | 0 | $7.35 | $3.36 |
Gas CO2
18 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Thornton, CO
Evening in Thornton on Sunday
Local time
7:35 PM
MDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
30 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 3m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Elizabeth, CO to Thornton, CO covers 52.5 miles and takes about 1h 3m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are East Broadway Street, Pine Street, East Kiowa Avenue. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 26.3 miles from Elizabeth, CO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $7.96 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
The drive from Elizabeth, CO to Thornton, CO is easy. At 1h 3m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Elizabeth, CO to Thornton, CO is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Elizabeth, CO to Thornton, CO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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