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Create accountDrive Time
5h 11m
Distance
276.5 mi
445 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$44
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Choteau, MT
Alex Moliski
Lockwood, MT
Alex Moliski
The drive from Choteau, MT to Lockwood, MT covers 276.5 miles and takes about 5h 11m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 87, US 12, MT 3 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 64.9 miles on US 87. At current regular gas prices, budget about $43.82 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
138.3 miles from Choteau, MT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 33m into the drive .
This is a 5h 11m highway drive covering 276.5 miles, with most of the trip on US 87 and US 12. The longest continuous stretch is about 64.9 miles on US 87.
Gently rolling terrain
Total Climb
1,626 ft
Total Descent
2,347 ft
Highest Point
4,439 ft
~92.2 mi in
Elevation Range
1,341 ft
Notable High Points
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 87 and US 12. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near US 89 / 1st Street Southwest.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 5h 11m drive. You will face about 20 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (US 89 / 1st Street Southwest): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 32.4 miles (US 89; MT 200): Navigation decision point; at 40.2 miles (US 89; MT 200): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Enter roundabout onto US 89 / 1st Street Southwest
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
At end of road, turn left onto US 89; MT 200
Navigation decision point
Take the exit onto US 89; MT 200 toward I 15 South: Great Falls
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Take the exit onto I 15 Business toward I 15 Business
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Turn left onto Aronson Avenue
Navigation decision point
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 87 | 64.9 mi | 1h 10m |
| US 12 | 45.1 mi | 50m |
| MT 3 | 41 mi | 46m |
| US 191 | 39.2 mi | 43m |
| 10th Avenue South | 22.6 mi | 25m |
| United States Route 89 | 16.8 mi | 18m |
| 1st Road Southeast | 14.7 mi | 15m |
| First Special Service Force Memorial Highway | 9.5 mi | 8m |
Step-by-step road directions between Choteau, MT and Lockwood, MT.
Start on US 89
Enter roundabout onto US 89
Continue on US 89
Turn straight onto US 89
Continue on US 89
Continue on US 89
At end of road, turn left onto US 89; MT 200
Take the exit onto US 89; MT 200
Merge onto I 15; US 89; MT 200
Take the exit onto I 15 Business
Turn left onto I 15 Business
Continue on I 15 Business
Continue on I 15 Business
Turn right onto US 87
Turn left onto US 87; US 89; MT 3; MT 200
Enter roundabout
Continue
Turn straight onto US 87; MT 3; MT 200
Turn right onto US 191; MT 3
Turn left onto US 12; MT 3
Turn right onto MT 3
Continue on MT-3
Continue on MT 3
Enter roundabout onto MT 3
Continue on MT 3
Enter roundabout onto Airport Road
Continue on Airport Road
Turn right onto Swords Lane
Turn left onto Aronson Avenue
Merge onto US 87
Turn left onto I 90 Business; US 87
Turn left onto I 90 Business; US 87
Continue on I 90; US 87; US 212
Take the exit
Turn left onto Johnson Lane
Arrive at destination
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.
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 80 miles or 1h 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 138.3 miles or 2h 33m 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 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lockwood, MT than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Choteau, MT 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 Choteau, MT
This is one driving day of about 276.5 miles and 5h 11m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 138.3 mi from Choteau, MT · 2h 33m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
138 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 138.3 miles from Choteau, MT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 87 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 64.9 miles.
The final approach into Lockwood, MT 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 Lockwood, MT.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$43.82 one way
$87.63 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.23 | $46.06 | $92.12 |
| premium | $4.53 | $49.30 | $98.60 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $61.43 | $122.86 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 96.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 83 | 1 | $29.03 | $13.27 |
| Efficient EV | 69.1 | 0 | $24.19 | $11.06 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 110.6 | 1 | $38.71 | $17.70 |
Gas CO2
97 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Choteau on Sunday
Local time
6:31 PM
MDT
Current temp
55°F
Partly Sunny then Chance Light Rain
Destination
Evening in Lockwood on Sunday
Local time
6:31 PM
MDT
Current temp
70°F
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Along the Route
27°F
Lewistown, MT
138 mi in
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
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