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Drive Time
1h 11m
Distance
67.8 mi
109 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Helena, MT
Wikimedia Commons
Butte, MT
Wikimedia Commons
If you are planning to travel between Helena and Butte, you are looking at a quick 67.8-mile journey through the heart of the Mountain West. Expect to spend about 1 hour and 11 minutes behind the wheel, making this an ideal day trip that requires no overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via the First Special Service Force Memorial Highway, eventually transitioning through 11th Avenue and South Montana Street to reach your destination. With an estimated fuel cost of just $11, this is an incredibly budget-friendly transit between two of Montana's most iconic cities. Because the route is short and direct, you have total flexibility to head out whenever it best suits your schedule.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
33.9 miles from Helena, MT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 35m into the drive .
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This trip is best described as a turn-heavy local drive that keeps you engaged from start to finish. You will spend 100% of the journey on highways, with a significant 64.6-mile stretch occurring on the First Special Service Force Memorial Highway. While the road is consistent, the transition from the main highway into the local streets of Butte requires you to stay alert. The route lacks long, monotonous straightaways, favoring a more technical feel that keeps you focused on the road ahead. You can expect a straightforward driving experience that prioritizes efficiency over long-distance cruising.
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
Total Climb
2,662 ft
Total Descent
1,174 ft
Highest Point
6,328 ft
~56.5 mi in
Elevation Range
2,280 ft
Notable High Points
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Helena, MT to Butte, MT is easy. At 1h 11m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Helena, MT to Butte, MT is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 11th Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Prospect Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 15 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| First Special Service Force Memorial Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Montana Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South Montana Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| West 2nd Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South Main Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Helena, MT and Butte, MT.
Start on Cruse Avenue
Turn left onto 11th Avenue
Turn straight onto Prospect Avenue
Take the exit slight right toward I 15 South: Butte
Merge slight left onto First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
Take the exit slight right toward Montana Street
Turn right onto South Montana Street
Turn right onto West 2nd Street
Turn left onto South Main Street
Turn left onto West Iron Street
Arrive at your destination
Since the entire trip takes just over an hour, you don't need to worry about complex pacing or multiple rest stops. Plan to set aside $11 for fuel, though filling up before you leave Helena will likely carry you through the entire drive without needing to pull over. Because there are no mandatory stops listed, you can adjust your departure time based on traffic patterns rather than fatigue management. Keep in mind that as you navigate the final approach into Butte via South Montana Street, the road character shifts from the open highway to local city driving. Use the simplicity of this 67.8-mile run to your advantage by keeping your itinerary loose and stress-free.
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.
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 67.8 miles or 1h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 33.9 miles or 35m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 1m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Butte, MT than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Helena, 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 Helena, MT
This is one driving day of about 67.8 miles and 1h 11m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 33.9 mi from Helena, MT · 35m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
34 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 67.8 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 33.9 miles from Helena, MT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Butte, 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 Butte, MT.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$10.74 one way
$21.49 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.22 | $11.26 | $22.52 |
| premium | $4.53 | $12.09 | $24.19 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $14.97 | $29.94 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 23.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 20.3 | 0 | $7.12 | $3.25 |
| Efficient EV | 17 | 0 | $5.93 | $2.71 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 27.1 | 0 | $9.49 | $4.34 |
Gas CO2
24 kg
EV CO2
8 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Helena on Wednesday
Local time
12:12 AM
MDT
Current temp
59°F
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Destination
Late night in Butte on Wednesday
Local time
12:12 AM
MDT
Current temp
56°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
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
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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