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Trip from Wray, CO to Thornton, CO

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 6m

Distance

163.1 mi

263 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$25

one way

EV Charging

Fair

3 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min
4 AM
2h 54m ★
6 AM
3h 6m
8 AM
3h 29m
10 AM
3h 14m
12 PM
3h 12m
3 PM
3h 15m
5 PM
3h 28m
8 PM
2h 59m

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 and county seat of Yuma County, Colorado, United States

Wray, CO

Wikimedia Commons

city in Adams and Weld counties in Colorado, United States

Thornton, CO

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 163-mile drive from Wray, Colorado, to Thornton, Colorado, is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 37 minutes. You'll primarily navigate using Adams Street, West 3rd Street, and Highway 34. With a fuel cost estimated at $25, this route offers an economical journey within the Mountain West region. The drive is characterized as a 'turn-heavy local drive,' suggesting you'll be making frequent adjustments rather than cruising on a highway. Given its relatively short duration and local road focus, it's well-suited for a single day's travel, allowing for flexibility in your schedule.

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

81.6 miles from Wray, CO

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 38m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 76 81 mi 1h 21m
West 3rd Street 54.9 mi 1h 7m
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
Adams Street 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 76 — 81 mi, about 1h 21m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on West 6th Street

53 ft · 4 sec · West 6th Street
2

Turn right onto Adams Street

0.2 mi · 52 sec · Adams Street
3

Turn left onto US 34

55 mi · 1 hr 7 min · West 3rd Street
Use the straight lane.
4

Continue on US 34

21 mi · 24 min · US Highway 34
5

Turn right onto I 76 Business; US 34 Spur

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

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 18 sec
7

Merge onto I 76

81 mi · 1 hr 21 min · I 76
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 36 sec
Exit 10 Toward 88th Avenue Use the slight right lane.
9

Turn right onto East 88th Avenue

1.5 mi · 2 min · East 88th Avenue
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
10

Turn right onto Colorado Boulevard

1.0 mi · 1 min · Colorado Boulevard
Use the right lane.
11

Turn left onto Thornton Parkway

1.7 mi · 3 min · Thornton Parkway
Use the left lane.
12

Turn left onto Dorothy Boulevard

0.2 mi · 51 sec · Dorothy Boulevard
Use the left lane.
13

Turn right

116 ft · 8 sec
14

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

For this 2-hour and 37-minute journey, starting your drive in the morning will give you plenty of daylight for the 163 miles ahead. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing your trip. The estimated fuel cost of $25 is quite reasonable, so ensure your tank is full before departing Wray. Keep an eye on your directions, as the 'turn-heavy local drive' nature means you'll be making frequent adjustments. A specific tip for this route: familiarize yourself with Highway 34 before you begin, as it's a key segment of your journey.

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 81.6 miles from Wray, CO, or about 1h 38m 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 36 miles or 44m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 81.6 miles or 1h 38m 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 31m

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 Wray, 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 Wray, CO

This is one driving day of about 163.1 miles and 3h 6m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Wray, 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.

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Fort Morgan, CO

82 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

Yuma, CO

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 36 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Brush, CO

Meal break

The midpoint is around 81.6 miles from Wray, 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.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop · final third

Mariana's Mexican Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Wiggins, Colorado

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Final third · 1h 6m to go 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+19704837278

Visit website

Fajitas Mexican Restaurant

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Wiggins, Colorado

0.6 mi

Glassi Restaurant & Bar

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Brush, Colorado

2 mi

Mariana's Mexican Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Final third 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Wiggins, Colorado

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+19704837278

Visit website

Fajitas Mexican Restaurant

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Final third 0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Wiggins, Colorado

Hours: 10 am–9 pm

+19704837262

Glassi Restaurant & Bar

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2 mi from route ~5 min detour $20 to $30

Brush, Colorado

Hours: 10 am–10 pm

+19708427722

Visit website

VICTOR'S SUSHI

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Brush, Colorado

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+19708427740

Carrillo Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Brush, Colorado

Hours: 10 am–1:30 pm

+19708424737

Wendy's

3.3 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour Inexpensiv

Brush, Colorado

Hours: 10 am–11 pm

+19708425959

Visit website

McDonald's

3.2 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20

Brush, Colorado

Hours: 5 am–11 pm

+19708422717

Visit website

Santiago's Mexican Restaurant

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20

Fort Morgan, Colorado

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+19708672214

Visit website

7Charge Charging Station

2.5 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Commerce City, Colorado

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour

Commerce City, Colorado

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

Near the end, ~10 min detour

Home stretch 3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour

Henderson, Colorado

Hours: 7 am–7 pm

+18889982546

Visit website

Water World

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Federal Heights, Colorado

+13034277873

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 10

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 162.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | US 34 / West 3rd Street

Turn left onto US 34 / West 3rd Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.
5
76.3 mi into trip | ~1h 32m 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.
7
158.5 mi into trip | ~2h 56m 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
160.2 mi into trip | ~2h 59m in | Colorado Boulevard

Turn right onto Colorado Boulevard

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
6
162.9 mi into trip | ~3h 5m in | Dorothy Boulevard

Turn left onto Dorothy Boulevard

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$24.57 one way

$49.15 round trip

$3.83/gal 25.4 MPG avg 57 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.05 $26.02 $52.04
premium $4.39 $28.22 $56.43
diesel $5.61 $36.01 $72.02

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$25

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$50–$75

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 57.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 48.9 0 $17.13 $7.83
Efficient EV 40.8 0 $14.27 $6.52
EV Truck/SUV 65.2 0 $22.83 $10.44

Gas CO2

57 kg

EV CO2

19 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 20, 2026

Origin

Wray, CO

Late night in Wray on Tuesday

Local time

4:48 AM

MDT

Current temp

59°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Thornton, CO

Late night in Thornton on Tuesday

Local time

4:48 AM

MDT

Current temp

36°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

23 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

3h 6m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a route that keeps you engaged with frequent turns rather than long stretches of uninterrupted driving. With a highway share of 0%, this is a local road experience from start to finish. The 'turn-heavy local drive' profile means you'll be navigating through communities and making numerous directional changes. There's no longest uninterrupted stretch to report, reinforcing the idea that this journey involves constant attention to your route. The road character will likely involve a mix of town streets and rural roads as you make your way across Colorado.

64% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 81 mi on I 76.

How Hard Is This Drive?

4/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 76 and West 3rd Street. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near US 34 / West 3rd Street.

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 3h 6m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (US 34 / West 3rd Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 76.3 miles (I 76 Business; US 34 Spur / US Highway 6): Lane positioning matters here; at 158.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

About the Cities

Starting in Wray, CO

Full guide →

Wray is in the Eastern Plains of Colorado.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 6m. Total distance: 163.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (64%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 81 miles on I 76. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (US 34 / West 3rd Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 76.3 miles (I 76 Business; US 34 Spur / US Highway 6): Lane positioning matters here; at 158.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Thornton, CO, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner 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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