Origin
Ponderosa Park, CO
Morning in Ponderosa Park on Thursday
Local time
8:44 AM
MDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ponderosa Park, CO to Thornton, CO
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
57m
Distance
47.1 mi
76 km
Drive Score
4/10
Practical drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$7
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 53m
★
6 AM
0h 57m
8 AM
1h 7m
10 AM
1h 1m
12 PM
1h 0m
3 PM
1h 1m
5 PM
1h 6m
8 PM
0h 55m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Thornton, CO
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Ponderosa Park, CO to Thornton, CO covers 47.1 miles and takes about 57m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
This route mixes long travel segments with more detailed approach driving, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $7.10 one way before food or hotel costs.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 57m. Total distance: 47.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a 57m drive with frequent turns across 47.1 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
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.
The drive from Ponderosa Park, CO to Thornton, CO is easy. At 57m 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 Ponderosa Park, CO to Thornton, CO is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$7.10 one way
$14.19 round trip
$3.83/gal
25.4 MPG avg
17 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.05 | $7.51 | $15.03 |
| premium | $4.39 | $8.15 | $16.30 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $10.40 | $20.80 |
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$7
Estimated CO2 emission: 16.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 63% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 14.1 | 0 | $4.95 | $2.26 |
| Efficient EV | 11.8 | 0 | $4.12 | $1.88 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 18.8 | 0 | $6.59 | $3.01 |
Gas CO2
16 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (63% 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
Morning in Thornton on Thursday
Local time
8:44 AM
MDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
3 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
57m 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 Ponderosa Park, CO to Thornton, CO covers 47.1 miles and takes about 57m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $7.10 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 Ponderosa Park, CO to Thornton, CO is easy. At 57m 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 Ponderosa Park, CO to Thornton, CO is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Ponderosa Park, CO to Thornton, CO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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