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Trip from Yuma, CO to Thornton, CO

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 33m

Distance

136 mi

219 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$20

one way

EV Charging

Fair

3 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 31 min
4 AM
2h 23m ★
6 AM
2h 33m
8 AM
2h 54m
10 AM
2h 40m
12 PM
2h 38m
3 PM
2h 41m
5 PM
2h 53m
8 PM
2h 27m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Yuma County, Colorado, United States

Yuma, CO

Wikimedia Commons

city in Adams and Weld counties in Colorado, United States

Thornton, CO

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Embarking on a road trip from Yuma, CO, to Thornton, CO, covers a distance of 135.9 miles and is estimated to take around 2 hours and 9 minutes. This drive is well within the scope of a single day, making it a convenient option for a day trip. You'll navigate using West 8th Avenue, Highway 34, and Highway 6 throughout your journey. With an estimated fuel cost of $21, this trip offers an affordable way to travel within the Mountain West region. The profile suggests a 'turn-heavy local drive,' so be prepared for frequent adjustments in direction rather than long, straight stretches.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

68 miles from Yuma, CO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 19m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 33m. Total distance: 136 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (77%). Straightforward navigation.

Drive Character

This route is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' indicating that you'll be making numerous turns and navigating through local roads for much of the 135.9-mile journey. With a 0% highway share, expect a more intimate experience with the Colorado landscape as you travel. The absence of a longest uninterrupted stretch suggests a continuous need for attention to your navigation and surroundings. This type of drive can offer a more engaging experience, allowing you to see more of the towns and communities you pass through, but it requires consistent focus on the road ahead.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 13 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 76 is the longest continuous segment at about 81 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 76 and West 8th Avenue. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 49.2 miles in near I 76 Business; US 34 Spur / US Highway 6.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 2h 33m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 49.2 miles (I 76 Business; US 34 Spur / US Highway 6): Lane positioning matters here; at 50.4 miles (I 76): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 131.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 9 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

5
49.2 mi into trip | ~1h in | I 76 Business; US 34 Spur / US Highway 6

Turn right onto I 76 Business; US 34 Spur / US Highway 6

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
5
50.4 mi into trip | ~1h 2m in | I 76

Merge onto I 76

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
131.4 mi into trip | ~2h 23m in

Take the exit toward 88th Avenue

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 10 Toward 88th Avenue
6
133.1 mi into trip | ~2h 26m in | Colorado Boulevard

Turn right onto Colorado Boulevard

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
6
135.8 mi into trip | ~2h 32m in | Dorothy Boulevard

Turn left onto Dorothy Boulevard

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 76 81 mi 1h 21m
West 8th Avenue 27.7 mi 34m
US Highway 34 21.2 mi 24m
Thornton Parkway 1.7 mi 3m
East 88th Avenue 1.5 mi 2m
US Highway 6 1 mi 1m
Colorado Boulevard 1 mi 1m
South Ash Street 0.3 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 76 — 81 mi, about 1h 21m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Yuma, CO and Thornton, CO.

1

Start on South Ash Street

0.3 mi · 1 min · South Ash Street
2

Turn right onto US 34

28 mi · 34 min · West 8th Avenue
3

Continue on US 34

21 mi · 24 min · US Highway 34
4

Turn right onto I 76 Business; US 34 Spur

1.0 mi · 1 min · US Highway 6
Use the straight lane.
5

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 18 sec
6

Merge onto I 76

81 mi · 1 hr 21 min · I 76
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 36 sec
Exit 10 Toward 88th Avenue Use the slight right lane.
8

Turn right onto East 88th Avenue

1.5 mi · 2 min · East 88th Avenue
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
9

Turn right onto Colorado Boulevard

1.0 mi · 1 min · Colorado Boulevard
Use the right lane.
10

Turn left onto Thornton Parkway

1.7 mi · 3 min · Thornton Parkway
Use the left lane.
11

Turn left onto Dorothy Boulevard

0.2 mi · 51 sec · Dorothy Boulevard
Use the left lane.
12

Turn right

116 ft · 8 sec
13

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the 2-hour drive time, you have a lot of flexibility in planning your departure from Yuma. Consider leaving in the morning to make the most of your day in Thornton, or opt for a mid-day departure to avoid peak traffic. Since this is a shorter trip with no designated stops in the data, you can easily complete it in one go, but keep an eye on your fuel gauge as the estimated cost is $21. The 'turn-heavy local drive' profile means you'll want to have your navigation set up and ready before you leave Yuma to ensure a smooth transition between West 8th Avenue, Highway 34, and Highway 6.

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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 68 miles from Yuma, CO, or about 1h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 81 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 30 miles or 37m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 68 miles or 1h 19m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 3m

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 Yuma, 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 Yuma, CO

This is one driving day of about 136 miles and 2h 33m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 30 miles from Yuma, 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 I 76 for about 81 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 68 mi from Yuma, CO · 1h 19m into the drive

city in and county seat of Morgan County, Colorado, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Fort Morgan, CO

68 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

Brush, CO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 30 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Wiggins, CO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 68 miles from Yuma, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 76 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 81 miles.

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.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Mariana's Mexican Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Wiggins, Colorado

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 77.7

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+19704837278

Visit website

Fajitas Mexican Restaurant

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Wiggins, Colorado

0.6 mi

VICTOR'S SUSHI

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Brush, Colorado

2.2 mi

Mariana's Mexican Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 77.7

Wiggins, Colorado

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+19704837278

Visit website

Fajitas Mexican Restaurant

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 77.7

Wiggins, Colorado

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+19704837262

VICTOR'S SUSHI

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 48.6

Brush, Colorado

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+19708427740

Glassi Restaurant & Bar

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour $20 to $30 mile 48.6

Brush, Colorado

Hours: 10 am–10 pm

+19708427722

Visit website

Home Plate Fort Morgan

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 58.3

Fort Morgan, Colorado

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+19708674416

Carrillo Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 48.6

Brush, Colorado

Hours: 10 am–1:30 pm

+19708424737

Wendy's

3.3 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour Inexpensiv mile 48.6

Brush, Colorado

Hours: 10 am–11 pm

+19708425959

Visit website

McDonald's

3.2 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 48.6

Brush, Colorado

Hours: 5 am–11 pm

+19708422717

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 126.3

Commerce City, Colorado

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

7Charge Charging Station

2.5 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 126.3

Commerce City, Colorado

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

Near the end, ~10 min detour

3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 136

Henderson, Colorado

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+18889982546

Visit website

Water World

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 136

Federal Heights, Colorado

+13034277873

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$20.49 one way

$40.98 round trip

$3.83/gal 25.4 MPG avg 48 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.05 $21.70 $43.39
premium $4.39 $23.53 $47.05
diesel $5.61 $30.03 $60.05

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$20

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$45–$70

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 47.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 40.8 0 $14.28 $6.53
Efficient EV 34 0 $11.90 $5.44
EV Truck/SUV 54.4 0 $19.04 $8.70

Gas CO2

48 kg

EV CO2

16 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Yuma, CO

Morning in Yuma on Saturday

Local time

8:54 AM

MDT

Current temp

83°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Thornton, CO

Morning in Thornton on Saturday

Local time

8:54 AM

MDT

Current temp

46°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

37 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

2h 33m 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 Yuma, CO to Thornton, CO covers 136 miles and takes about 2h 33m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 76, West 8th Avenue, US Highway 34. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 68 miles from Yuma, CO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $20.49 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.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

This is a straightforward 2h 33m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

The main spots that need attention: at 49.2 miles (I 76 Business; US 34 Spur / US Highway 6): Lane positioning matters here; at 50.4 miles (I 76): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 131.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

The route from Yuma, CO to Thornton, CO does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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