Origin
Thornton, CO
Evening in Thornton on Wednesday
Local time
8:21 PM
MDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Thornton, CO to Springfield, CO
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
4h 58m
Distance
256.6 mi
413 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$39
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 45m
★
6 AM
4h 58m
8 AM
5h 25m
10 AM
5h 7m
12 PM
5h 5m
3 PM
5h 9m
5 PM
5h 24m
8 PM
4h 50m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Thornton, CO
Wikimedia Commons
Springfield, CO
Mark Stebnicki
Trip Overview
The drive from Thornton, CO to Springfield, CO covers 256.6 miles and takes about 4h 58m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, US 287, US 40 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 83.3 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $38.66 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
128.3 miles from Thornton, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 22m into the drive .
Drive Character
The drive from Thornton, CO to Springfield, CO covers 256.6 miles and takes about 4h 58m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 83.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near Thornton Parkway.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 256.6 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (Thornton Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 3.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0.2 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
Thornton Parkway
At end of road, turn left onto Thornton Parkway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
6
1.2 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Turn left toward I 25 South: Colorado Springs
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Toward I 25 South: Colorado Springs
8
3.6 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Take the exit toward I 270 East: Aurora, Limon
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 217B
Toward I 270 East: Aurora, Limon
6
14.6 mi into trip
|
~21m in
|
I 70 / Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70 / Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
93.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 41m in
Take the exit toward US 40, US 287: Hugo, Kit Carson
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 363
Toward US 40, US 287: Hugo, Kit Carson
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Thornton, CO to Springfield, CO, road signs begin pointing toward Kit Carson along the way.
Kit Carson
93.6 mi in
|
~1h 41m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway | 83.3 mi | 1h 25m |
| US 287 | 62.5 mi | 1h 13m |
| US 40 | 62.3 mi | 1h 13m |
| West 15th Street | 29.8 mi | 35m |
| US 50 | 8 mi | 13m |
| Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway | 6.2 mi | 7m |
| North Valley Highway | 2 mi | 2m |
| Thornton Parkway | 1 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 83.3 mi, about 1h 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Thornton, CO and Springfield, CO.
1
Start on this road
76 ft
·
12 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto Dorothy Boulevard
0.2 mi
·
58 sec
·
Dorothy Boulevard
3
At end of road, turn left onto Thornton Parkway
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Thornton Parkway
Use the left / straight lanes.
4
Turn left
0.4 mi
·
40 sec
Toward I 25 South: Colorado Springs
Use the straight / left lanes.
5
Merge onto I 25
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
North Valley Highway
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 25
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
North Valley Highway
7
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 217B
Toward I 270 East: Aurora, Limon
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
8
Merge onto I 270
6.7 mi
·
8 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 70
3.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Continue on I 70
77 mi
·
1 hr 16 min
·
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
Exit 363
Toward US 40, US 287: Hugo, Kit Carson
Use the slight right lane.
13
Turn right onto US 40; US 287
62 mi
·
1 hr 13 min
·
US 40; US 287
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on US 287; CR 40
18 mi
·
20 min
·
US 287; CR 40
Use the straight lane.
15
Continue on US 287; CO 96
30 mi
·
35 min
·
West 15th Street
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on US 50; US 287
8.0 mi
·
13 min
·
US 50; US 287
Use the straight lane.
17
Continue on US 287; US 385
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
US 287; US 385
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Continue on US 287; US 385
43 mi
·
50 min
·
US 287; US 385
Use the straight lane.
19
Turn left onto East 6th Avenue
0.1 mi
·
28 sec
·
East 6th Avenue
20
Arrive at destination
East 6th Avenue
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 128.3 miles from Thornton, CO, or about 2h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 83.3 miles.
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 56 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 128.3 miles or 2h 22m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 3m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Springfield, CO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Thornton, 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 Thornton, CO
This is one driving day of about 256.6 miles and 4h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 miles from Thornton, CO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for about 83.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 128.3 mi from Thornton, CO · 2h 22m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
128 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 56 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 128.3 miles from Thornton, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 83.3 miles.
Arriving in Springfield, CO
The final approach into Springfield, 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 Springfield, 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
$38.66 one way
$77.32 round trip
$3.83/gal
25.4 MPG avg
90 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.05 | $40.93 | $81.87 |
| premium | $4.39 | $44.39 | $88.78 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $56.65 | $113.31 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 89.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 77 | 0 | $26.94 | $12.32 |
| Efficient EV | 64.2 | 0 | $22.45 | $10.26 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 102.6 | 1 | $35.92 | $16.42 |
Gas CO2
90 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Springfield, CO
Evening in Springfield on Wednesday
Local time
8:21 PM
MDT
Current temp
85°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
39 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
4h 58m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Thornton, CO to Springfield, CO covers 256.6 miles and takes about 4h 58m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, US 287, US 40. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 128.3 miles from Thornton, CO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $38.66 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 256.6 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (Thornton Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 3.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Thornton, CO to Springfield, CO, road signs begin pointing toward Kit Carson along the way.
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