Origin
Lockwood, MT
Afternoon in Lockwood on Saturday
Local time
12:39 PM
MDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 18m
Distance
249.1 mi
401 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$39
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lockwood, MT
Wikimedia Commons
Clancy, MT
Rafael Minguet Delgado
Lockwood, MT to Clancy, MT is 249.1 miles and takes about 4h 18m via I 90, Highway 287, and I 15, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This single-day trip stays within the Mountain West region, offering a straightforward drive through Montana. With 99% of the journey on highways, you'll experience a primarily efficient transit. It's a good option if you're looking for a direct route with minimal fuss, allowing you to cover significant ground without extensive planning.
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
124.6 miles from Lockwood, MT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 4m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 179.4 mi | 2h 59m |
| Highway 287 | 58.1 mi | 1h 4m |
| I 15 | 5.1 mi | 4m |
| Montana Highway 518 | 3.3 mi | 4m |
| Montana Route 518 | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| Railroad Way | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Johnson Lane | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| East Clancy Street | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Lockwood, MT and Clancy, MT.
Start on Johnson Lane
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 90; US 87; US 212
Continue on I 90; US 212
Continue on I 90; US 89; US 191
Continue on I 90; US 191
Take the exit
Turn right onto US 287
Turn left onto S 518
Continue on S 518
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 15
Take the exit
Turn right onto Railroad Way
Continue on East Clancy Street
Turn right onto North Main Street
Arrive at destination
With a duration of just over 4 hours, this drive is easily manageable in a single day, so you have the flexibility to leave when you wish. Consider an early start to maximize daylight, especially if you plan any brief stops. The longest stretch without a change in major road is 179.4 miles on I 90, so ensure you have adequate fuel before embarking on that segment. Given the relatively short distance and highway focus, rest stops are less about necessity and more about convenience.
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 55 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 124.6 miles or 2h 4m 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 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clancy, MT than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Lockwood, 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 Lockwood, MT
This is one driving day of about 249.1 miles and 4h 18m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
125 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 55 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 124.6 miles from Lockwood, MT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 179.4 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 180.1 and 248.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the exit toward US 287: Helena, Ennis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Turn right onto US 287 / Highway 287
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto S 518 / Montana Route 518
Lane positioning matters here
Take the ramp toward Butte
Navigation decision point
Take the exit toward Clancy
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Regular Gas
$39.47 one way
$78.95 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.22 | $41.38 | $82.75 |
| premium | $4.53 | $44.44 | $88.87 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $55.00 | $110.00 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 87.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 74.7 | 0 | $26.16 | $11.96 |
| Efficient EV | 62.3 | 0 | $21.80 | $9.96 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 99.6 | 1 | $34.87 | $15.94 |
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Lockwood on Saturday
Local time
12:39 PM
MDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Clancy on Saturday
Local time
12:39 PM
MDT
Current temp
42°F
Unavailable
71°F
Livingston, MT
125 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.
This is a highway-focused drive, with 99% of the 249.1 miles on major roadways. You'll spend most of your time on I 90, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 179.4 miles. While the majority of the route is designed for speed and efficiency, the transition to Highway 287 and then I 15 will offer slight variations in the driving experience. Expect a generally smooth and predictable journey, prioritizing forward momentum over winding backroads.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and Highway 287. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 180.1 miles in.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 18m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 180.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 180.4 miles (US 287 / Highway 287): Lane positioning matters here; at 238.5 miles (S 518 / Montana Route 518): Lane positioning matters here.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Lockwood, MT to Clancy, MT, road signs begin pointing toward Ennis along the way.
Ennis
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 18m. Total distance: 249.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Straightforward navigation.
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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