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Trip from Laurel, MT to Cut Bank, MT

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

Drive Time

6h 9m

Distance

337.1 mi

543 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$53

one way

EV Charging

Sparse

1 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
5h 57m ★
6 AM
6h 10m
8 AM
6h 35m
10 AM
6h 19m
12 PM
6h 16m
3 PM
6h 20m
5 PM
6h 34m
8 PM
6h 2m

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 Yellowstone County, Montana, United States

Laurel, MT

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Cut Bank, MT, MT

Cut Bank, MT

Alex Huahuisa Florez

Trip Overview

The drive from Laurel, MT to Cut Bank, MT covers 337.1 miles and takes about 6h 9m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on US 87, First Special Service Force Memorial Highway, US 12 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 83.6 miles on US 87. At current regular gas prices, budget about $53.42 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

168.6 miles from Laurel, MT

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 12m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 87 83.6 mi 1h 30m
First Special Service Force Memorial Highway 81.2 mi 1h 16m
US 12 45.1 mi 50m
US 191 39.2 mi 42m
MT 3 38 mi 43m
West Roosevelt Highway 22.6 mi 25m
2nd Avenue North 4.3 mi 7m
Iowa Avenue 2.5 mi 2m
Longest stretch: US 87 — 83.6 mi, about 1h 30m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Laurel, MT and Cut Bank, MT.

1

Start on US 310; MT S-532

0.6 mi · 55 sec · South 1st Avenue
2

Turn left

9.0 mi · 10 min
3

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 49 sec
Toward Zoo Drive
4

Turn left onto Zoo Drive

0.8 mi · 1 min · Zoo Drive
5

Enter roundabout onto South Shiloh Road

12 ft · 0 sec · South Shiloh Road
6

Continue on South Shiloh Road

0.3 mi · 30 sec · South Shiloh Road
7

Enter roundabout onto South Shiloh Road

136 ft · 2 sec · South Shiloh Road
8

Continue on South Shiloh Road

0.5 mi · 51 sec · South Shiloh Road
9

Enter roundabout onto South Shiloh Road

104 ft · 2 sec · South Shiloh Road
10

Continue on South Shiloh Road

0.5 mi · 50 sec · South Shiloh Road
11

Enter roundabout onto South Shiloh Road

173 ft · 2 sec · South Shiloh Road
12

Continue on South Shiloh Road

0.5 mi · 43 sec · South Shiloh Road
13

Enter roundabout onto South Shiloh Road

90 ft · 1 sec · South Shiloh Road
14

Continue on South Shiloh Road

0.5 mi · 42 sec · South Shiloh Road
15

Enter roundabout onto Shiloh Road

141 ft · 2 sec · Shiloh Road
16

Continue on Shiloh Road

0.5 mi · 43 sec · Shiloh Road
17

Enter roundabout onto Shiloh Road

109 ft · 1 sec · Shiloh Road
18

Continue on Shiloh Road

0.5 mi · 42 sec · Shiloh Road
19

Enter roundabout onto Shiloh Road

127 ft · 2 sec · Shiloh Road
20

Continue on Shiloh Road

1.0 mi · 1 min · Shiloh Road
21

Turn right onto Rimrock Road

0.8 mi · 1 min · Rimrock Road
22

Turn left onto Zimmerman Trail

1.0 mi · 1 min · Zimmerman Trail
23

Enter roundabout onto MT 3

251 ft · 3 sec · MT 3
24

Continue on MT 3

25 mi · 28 min · MT 3
25

Continue on MT-3

2.5 mi · 2 min · Iowa Avenue
26

Continue on MT 3

12 mi · 14 min · MT 3
27

At end of road, turn left onto US 12; MT 3

45 mi · 50 min · US 12; MT 3
28

Turn right onto US 191; MT 3

39 mi · 42 min · US 191; MT 3
29

At end of road, turn left onto US 87; MT 3; MT 200

64 mi · 1 hr 9 min · US 87; MT 3; MT 200
30

Turn slight right

0.3 mi · 20 sec
31

Enter roundabout

172 ft · 2 sec
32

Continue

0.1 mi · 7 sec
33

Continue on US 87; US 89; MT 3; MT 200

19 mi · 20 min · US 87; US 89; MT 3; MT 200
34

Turn right onto US 87 Bypass

0.9 mi · 1 min · 57th Street South
35

Turn left onto 2nd Avenue North

4.3 mi · 7 min · 2nd Avenue North
36

At end of road, turn left onto I 15 Business

240 ft · 4 sec · Park Drive North
37

Turn right onto I 15 Business

0.2 mi · 23 sec · 1st Avenue North
38

Continue on I 15 Business

0.2 mi · 17 sec · First Avenue North Bridge
39

Continue on I 15 Business

1.4 mi · 1 min · Central Avenue West
40

Take the exit onto I 15 Business

0.2 mi · 32 sec · I 15 Business
41

Merge onto I 15; US 89; MT 200

81 mi · 1 hr 16 min · First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
42

Take the exit onto I 15 BUS

0.3 mi · 40 sec · I 15 BUS
Exit 363 Toward I 15 BUS, US 2: Shelby, Cut Bank
43

At end of road, turn left onto I 15 BUS; US 2

23 mi · 25 min · West Roosevelt Highway
44

Arrive at destination

US 2

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 168.6 miles from Laurel, MT, or about 3h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 83.6 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 74 miles or 1h 28m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 168.6 miles or 3h 12m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 5h 8m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cut Bank, MT than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Laurel, 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 Laurel, MT

This is one driving day of about 337.1 miles and 6h 9m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 74 miles from Laurel, 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 83.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in and county seat of Fergus County, Montana, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Lewistown, MT

169 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

Columbus, MT

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 74 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Fort Benton, MT

Meal break

The midpoint is around 168.6 miles from Laurel, MT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 87 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 83.6 miles.

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 Coffee Stop

Latte Da

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Cut Bank, Montana

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $1 to $10 mile 337.1

Hours: 6:30 am–2 pm

+14062291022

Visit website

Heidi's Coffee Cabin

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Laurel, Montana

0.4 mi

Artique Brew Coffee and Tea Shop

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Cut Bank, Montana

0.3 mi

The Gateway Cafè

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 144.5

Hobson, Montana

Hours: Closed

+14064235615

Latte Da

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $1 to $10 mile 337.1

Cut Bank, Montana

Hours: 6:30 am–2 pm

+14062291022

Visit website

Heidi's Coffee Cabin

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

Laurel, Montana

Hours: 5 am–5 pm

+14066289099

Visit website

Artique Brew Coffee and Tea Shop

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 337.1

Cut Bank, Montana

Hours: 7:30 am–2 pm

+14068730333

Marketplace on Main

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 337.1

Cut Bank, Montana

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+14068730333

Visit website

Folklore Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 289

Conrad, Montana

Hours: 7:30 am–4:30 pm

+14064502760

Visit website

Buckaroo Brews

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 337.1

Cut Bank, Montana

Hours: 6 am–4:30 pm

Prairie Peddler

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 313.1

Shelby, Montana

Hours: 9 am–5:30 pm

+14064345446

Visit website

Whistle Stop Bakery & Coffee Shop

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 313.1

Shelby, Montana

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+14064248015

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 313.1

Shelby, Montana

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

T's Happy Cafe

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 168.6

Stanford, Montana

+14065662305

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 24

5 decision points cluster between mile 11.2 and 314.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
11.2 mi into trip | ~14m in | South Shiloh Road

Enter roundabout onto South Shiloh Road

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

5
57.4 mi into trip | ~1h 10m in | US 12; MT 3

At end of road, turn left onto US 12; MT 3

Navigation decision point

5
206.3 mi into trip | ~3h 53m in

Enter roundabout

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

5
231 mi into trip | ~4h 23m in | I 15 Business / Park Drive North

At end of road, turn left onto I 15 Business / Park Drive North

Navigation decision point

6
314.2 mi into trip | ~5h 43m in | I 15 BUS

Take the exit onto I 15 BUS toward I 15 BUS, US 2: Shelby, Cut Bank

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 363 Toward I 15 BUS, US 2: Shelby, Cut Bank

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$53.42 one way

$106.84 round trip

$4.03/gal 25.4 MPG avg 118 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.22 $55.99 $111.99
premium $4.53 $60.13 $120.27
diesel $5.61 $74.43 $148.85

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$53

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$78–$103

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 117.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $35 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 101.1 1 $35.40 $16.18
Efficient EV 84.3 0 $29.50 $13.48
EV Truck/SUV 134.8 1 $47.19 $21.57

Gas CO2

118 kg

EV CO2

39 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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Laurel, MT

Afternoon in Laurel on Saturday

Local time

12:56 PM

MDT

Current temp

44°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Cut Bank, MT

Afternoon in Cut Bank on Saturday

Local time

12:56 PM

MDT

Current temp

69°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

65°F

Lewistown, MT

169 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

25 degrees warmer at arrival

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

Road read

6h 9m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

337.1 mi in 6h 9m, mostly highway — 83.6 mi of that is on US 87.

61% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
44 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 83.6 mi on US 87.

How Hard Is This Drive?

3/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 87 and First Special Service Force Memorial Highway. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 11.2 miles in near South Shiloh Road.

Driving Effort 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 9m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 24 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 11.2 miles (South Shiloh Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 57.4 miles (US 12; MT 3): Navigation decision point; at 206.3 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 9m. Total distance: 337.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 9m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (61%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 83.6 miles on US 87. 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.

It helps. This is a long drive, so arriving tired and in the dark compounds. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Cut Bank, MT before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

Mostly yes along the main roads, but rural stretches through MT can have sparse or no coverage. Before you leave, download offline Google Maps or Apple Maps for the route, and consider downloading music or podcasts instead of streaming. If you depend on data for navigation, keep a paper backup of the turn-by-turn directions.

The main spots that need attention: at 11.2 miles (South Shiloh Road): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 57.4 miles (US 12; MT 3): Navigation decision point; at 206.3 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.

Not recommended in a single day. At 6.2 hours each way, a round trip means 12.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Cut Bank, MT before the return drive.

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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