Origin
Great Falls, MT
Night in Great Falls on Tuesday
Local time
11:43 PM
MDT
Current temp
68°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Great Falls, MT to Laurel, MT
Data updated 1 hour ago
Drive Time
4h 21m
Distance
229.2 mi
369 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$36
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 8m
★
6 AM
4h 21m
8 AM
4h 48m
10 AM
4h 31m
12 PM
4h 28m
3 PM
4h 32m
5 PM
4h 47m
8 PM
4h 13m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Great Falls, MT
Wikimedia Commons
Laurel, MT
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 229.2-mile drive from Great Falls, Montana, to Laurel, Montana, is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can comfortably be completed in about 4 hours and 21 minutes. It's an ideal one-day trip, so you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. The estimated fuel cost is around $36, making it an economical option for exploring the Mountain West region. You'll primarily be on US 87, US 12, and US 191, with 94% of the route being highway driving. This route offers a practical way to connect these two Montana cities without much fuss.
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
114.6 miles from Great Falls, MT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 6m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a highway-centric experience for most of this 229.2-mile trip, with 94% of the mileage on main roads. You'll encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch of 81.9 miles on US 87, so plan your breaks accordingly. While primarily a highway drive, the route transitions across Montana's varied landscapes. The focus is on efficient travel between your origin in Great Falls and your destination in Laurel, rather than a winding, scenic byway. It’s a route designed for covering distance effectively.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 87 is the longest continuous segment at about 81.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
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 early in the drive near 5th Avenue South.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 4h 21m drive. You will face about 13 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (5th Avenue South): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (I 15 Business / 5th Street South): Navigation decision point; at 23.8 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
5th Avenue South
Turn left onto 5th Avenue South
Navigation decision point
4
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
I 15 Business / 5th Street South
Turn right onto I 15 Business / 5th Street South
Navigation decision point
4
23.8 mi into trip
|
~28m in
Enter roundabout
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
4
127.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 21m in
|
US 12; MT 3
Turn left onto US 12; MT 3
Navigation decision point
5
228.4 mi into trip
|
~4h 19m in
|
US 212
Take the exit onto US 212 toward US 212, US 310: Laurel, Red Lodge
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 212, US 310: Laurel, Red Lodge
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 87 | 81.9 mi | 1h 28m |
| US 12 | 45.1 mi | 50m |
| US 191 | 39.2 mi | 43m |
| MT 3 | 37.9 mi | 43m |
| I 90 | 8.7 mi | 10m |
| 10th Avenue South | 5.7 mi | 7m |
| Zimmerman Trail | 2.6 mi | 4m |
| MT-3 | 2.5 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
US 87
— 81.9 mi, about 1h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Great Falls, MT and Laurel, MT.
1
Start on 4th Street South
162 ft
·
12 sec
·
4th Street South
2
Turn left onto 5th Avenue South
427 ft
·
20 sec
·
5th Avenue South
3
Turn right onto I 15 Business
0.4 mi
·
35 sec
·
5th Street South
4
Turn left onto I 15 Business; US 89; MT 3; MT 200
5.7 mi
·
7 min
·
10th Avenue South
5
Continue on US 87; US 89; MT 3; MT 200
18 mi
·
18 min
·
US 87; US 89; MT 3; MT 200
6
Enter roundabout
224 ft
·
2 sec
7
Continue
0.3 mi
·
20 sec
8
Turn straight onto US 87; MT 3; MT 200
64 mi
·
1 hr 9 min
·
US 87; MT 3; MT 200
9
Turn right onto US 191; MT 3
39 mi
·
43 min
·
US 191; MT 3
10
Turn left onto US 12; MT 3
45 mi
·
50 min
·
US 12; MT 3
11
Turn right onto MT 3
12 mi
·
14 min
·
MT 3
12
Continue on MT-3
2.5 mi
·
2 min
·
MT-3
13
Continue on MT 3
25 mi
·
28 min
·
MT 3
14
Enter roundabout onto Zimmerman Trail
31 ft
·
0 sec
·
Zimmerman Trail
15
Continue on Zimmerman Trail
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Zimmerman Trail
16
Continue on 32nd Street West
2.2 mi
·
4 min
·
32nd Street West
17
Turn right onto Gabel Road
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Gabel Road
18
Turn left onto Zoo Drive
0.4 mi
·
39 sec
·
Zoo Drive
19
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
48 sec
20
Merge onto I 90; US 212
8.7 mi
·
10 min
·
I 90; US 212
21
Take the exit onto US 212
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
·
US 212
Toward US 212, US 310: Laurel, Red Lodge
22
Turn right onto US 310; MT S-532
0.4 mi
·
34 sec
·
US 310; MT S-532
23
Arrive at destination
US 310; MT S-532
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour and 21-minute duration, this drive works perfectly as a single-day excursion. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize your daylight hours and allow for a relaxed pace. With the longest stretch being 81.9 miles on US 87, consider stopping around the halfway point or when you notice fuel levels getting low, as services can be spaced out. The estimated fuel cost of $36 is a good baseline, but it's always wise to have a buffer. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during that longest stretch on US 87.
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 114.6 miles from Great Falls, MT, or about 2h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 81.9 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 80 miles or 1h 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 114.6 miles or 2h 6m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Laurel, MT than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Great Falls, 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 Great Falls, MT
This is one driving day of about 229.2 miles and 4h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Great Falls, MT.
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 US 87 for about 81.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 114.6 mi from Great Falls, MT · 2h 6m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
115 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 114.6 miles from Great Falls, 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 81.9 miles.
Arriving in Laurel, MT
The final approach into Laurel, 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 Laurel, MT.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.32 one way
$72.64 round trip
$4.03/gal
25.4 MPG avg
80 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.22 | $38.07 | $76.14 |
| premium | $4.53 | $40.89 | $81.77 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $50.60 | $101.21 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 80.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 68.8 | 0 | $24.07 | $11.00 |
| Efficient EV | 57.3 | 0 | $20.05 | $9.17 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 91.7 | 1 | $32.09 | $14.67 |
Gas CO2
80 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (66% 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
Laurel, MT
Night in Laurel on Tuesday
Local time
11:43 PM
MDT
Current temp
38°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
40°F
Lewistown, MT
115 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
30 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
4h 21m 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 Great Falls, MT to Laurel, MT covers 229.2 miles and takes about 4h 21m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 87, US 12, US 191. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 114.6 miles from Great Falls, MT. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $36.32 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 straightforward 4h 21m drive. You will face about 13 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (5th Avenue South): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (I 15 Business / 5th Street South): Navigation decision point; at 23.8 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
The route from Great Falls, MT to Laurel, MT does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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