Skip to main content

Trip from Lewistown, MT to Laurel, MT

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

Drive Time

2h 58m

Distance

141.4 mi

228 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$22

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min
4 AM
2h 48m ★
6 AM
2h 59m
8 AM
3h 22m
10 AM
3h 7m
12 PM
3h 5m
3 PM
3h 8m
5 PM
3h 20m
8 PM
2h 52m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

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

Lewistown, MT

Wikimedia Commons

city in Yellowstone County, Montana, United States

Laurel, MT

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Lewistown, MT to Laurel, MT covers 141.4 miles and takes about 2h 58m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on US 87, 1st Avenue West, US Highway 87 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 45.1 miles on US 87. At current regular gas prices, budget about $22.41 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

70.7 miles from Lewistown, MT

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 32m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 58m. Total distance: 141.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (61%). Straightforward navigation.

Drive Character

This is a 2h 58m highway drive covering 141.4 miles, with most of the trip on US 87 and 1st Avenue West. The longest continuous stretch is about 45.1 miles on US 87.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 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 45.1 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 87 and 1st Avenue West. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near US 87; MT 200 / West Main 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 2h 58m drive. You will face about 8 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 87; MT 200 / West Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 76.1 miles (US 12; US 87 / 1st Avenue West): Lane positioning matters here; at 125.6 miles (6th Avenue North): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 8 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

4
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | US 87; MT 200 / West Main Street

Turn right onto US 87; MT 200 / West Main Street

Navigation decision point

5
76.1 mi into trip | ~1h 40m in | US 12; US 87 / 1st Avenue West

Turn right onto US 12; US 87 / 1st Avenue West

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
4
125.6 mi into trip | ~2h 38m in | 6th Avenue North

Keep slight left at fork onto 6th Avenue North

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

6
129 mi into trip | ~2h 43m in | I 90 Business

Keep slight right at fork onto I 90 Business toward Butte, I 90 West

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward Butte, I 90 West
5
140.7 mi into trip | ~2h 57m 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

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Lewistown, MT to Laurel, MT, road signs begin pointing toward Butte along the way.

Butte

129 mi in | ~2h 43m | via I 90 Business

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 87 45.1 mi 1h 4m
1st Avenue West 44.4 mi 48m
US Highway 87 29.1 mi 31m
I 90 11.3 mi 13m
Main Street 3.2 mi 4m
6th Avenue North 1.9 mi 4m
Laurel Road 1.4 mi 2m
Montana Avenue 1.3 mi 1m
Longest stretch: US 87 — 45.1 mi, about 1h 4m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on 6th Avenue South

395 ft · 19 sec · 6th Avenue South
2

Turn right onto US 87; MT 200

0.7 mi · 2 min · West Main Street
3

Continue on US 87; MT 200

1.1 mi · 2 min · Northeast Main Street
4

Continue on US 87; MT 200

29 mi · 31 min · US Highway 87
5

Turn right onto US 87

45 mi · 1 hr 4 min · US 87
6

Turn right onto US 12; US 87

44 mi · 48 min · 1st Avenue West
Use the right lane.
7

Continue on US 87

261 ft · 6 sec · Roundup Road
8

Turn right onto US 87

3.2 mi · 4 min · Main Street
9

Turn slight right

270 ft · 4 sec
10

Turn straight onto 6th Avenue North

1.9 mi · 4 min · 6th Avenue North
11

Keep slight left at fork onto 6th Avenue North

239 ft · 7 sec · 6th Avenue North
12

Continue on Division Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · Division Street
13

Continue on I 90 Business

1.3 mi · 1 min · Montana Avenue
14

Continue on I 90 Business

1.4 mi · 2 min · Laurel Road
15

Keep slight right at fork onto I 90 Business

0.4 mi · 47 sec · I 90 Business
Toward Butte, I 90 West
16

Merge onto I 90; US 212

11 mi · 13 min · I 90; US 212
17

Take the exit onto US 212

0.3 mi · 48 sec · US 212
Toward US 212, US 310: Laurel, Red Lodge
18

Turn right onto US 310; MT S-532

0.4 mi · 34 sec · US 310; MT S-532
19

Arrive at destination

US 310; MT S-532

Trip Plan

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 70.7 miles from Lewistown, MT, or about 1h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 45.1 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 31 miles or 36m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 70.7 miles or 1h 32m 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 23m

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 Lewistown, 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 Lewistown, MT

This is one driving day of about 141.4 miles and 2h 58m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 31 miles from Lewistown, 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 45.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 70.7 mi from Lewistown, MT · 1h 32m into the drive

Downtown Roundup, MT, MT

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Roundup, MT

71 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

Grass Range, MT

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 31 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Roundup, MT

Meal break

The midpoint is around 70.7 miles from Lewistown, MT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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

$22.41 one way

$44.81 round trip

$4.03/gal 25.4 MPG avg 50 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.22 $23.49 $46.97
premium $4.53 $25.22 $50.45
diesel $5.61 $31.22 $62.44

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$22

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$47–$72

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 49.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 42.4 0 $14.85 $6.79
Efficient EV 35.4 0 $12.37 $5.66
EV Truck/SUV 56.6 0 $19.80 $9.05

Gas CO2

49 kg

EV CO2

17 kg (65% 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 15, 2026

Origin

Lewistown, MT

Night in Lewistown on Friday

Local time

10:05 PM

MDT

Current temp

65°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Laurel, MT

Night in Laurel on Friday

Local time

10:05 PM

MDT

Current temp

44°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

21 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

2h 58m 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Lewistown, MT to Laurel, MT covers 141.4 miles and takes about 2h 58m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are US 87, 1st Avenue West, US Highway 87. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 70.7 miles from Lewistown, MT. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $22.41 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

This is a straightforward 2h 58m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (US 87; MT 200 / West Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 76.1 miles (US 12; US 87 / 1st Avenue West): Lane positioning matters here; at 125.6 miles (6th Avenue North): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

On the drive from Lewistown, MT to Laurel, MT, road signs begin pointing toward Butte along the way.

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.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Return Trip

Laurel, MT to Lewistown, MT

Plan the drive back the other way.

144.8 mi 2h 59m

Explore more options from Lewistown, MT or browse trips ending in Laurel, MT.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MT road trips.