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Trip from Great Falls, MT to Laurel, MT

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

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

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
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.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in and county seat of Cascade County, Montana, United States

Great Falls, MT

Wikimedia Commons

city in Yellowstone County, Montana, United States

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 .

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 50 miles or 56m 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 50 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.

Downtown Moore, MT, MT

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Moore, MT

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

Three Forks, MT

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 50 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Moore, MT

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 check

Top up before US 87 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 81.9 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Best meal stop

Electric City Coffee, Coffee House and Bakery

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Great Falls, Montana

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+14064524529

Visit website

Paniolo Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Great Falls, Montana

0.4 mi

Luna Coffee Bar

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Great Falls, Montana

0.4 mi

Best coffee break

Crooked Tree Coffee Downtown

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Great Falls, Montana

Near the start, right off the route

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

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+14063151221

Visit website

Heidi's Coffee Cabin

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Laurel, Montana

0.4 mi

Great Harvest Bread Co.

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Great Falls, Montana

0.5 mi

Electric City Coffee, Coffee House and Bakery

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+14064524529

Visit website

Paniolo Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 9 am–2 pm

+14063152565

Visit website

Luna Coffee Bar

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

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

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+14066040101

Visit website

Wheat Montana Great Falls

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+14067717456

Visit website

Brian's Top Notch Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+14067274255

Visit website

Double Barrel Coffee House Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 5:30 am–2 pm

+14063152463

Visit website

The Gateway Cafè

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Early stretch 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Hobson, Montana

Hours: Closed

+14064235615

Coffee To Go-Drive Thru

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 6:30 am–1:30 pm

+14064525903

Crooked Tree Coffee Downtown

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

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

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+14063151221

Visit website

Heidi's Coffee Cabin

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

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

Laurel, Montana

Hours: 5 am–5 pm

+14066289099

Visit website

Great Harvest Bread Co.

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 6 am–5 pm

+14064526941

Visit website

honey hippo. Play Café

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 9 am–7 pm

+14069520209

Visit website

Morning Light Coffee Roasters

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 6 am–4 pm

+14064538443

Visit website

True Brew Espresso

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

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

Great Falls, MT

Hours: 5:30 am–4 pm

+14067703121

Visit website

True Brew Espresso

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

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

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 5:30 am–4 pm

+14063152658

Visit website

City Brew Coffee

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour Inexpensiv

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 5:30 am–8 pm

+14063152997

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Great Falls, Montana

+14069524444

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

TurnOnGreen Charging Station

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

Great Falls, Montana

+15106572635

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18668167584

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Duck Pond | Gibson Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 6 am–9:30 pm

+14067711265

Visit website

Haute Hive

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+14069524663

Visit website

Bloom and Bean

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 9 am–6 pm

+14063151609

Visit website

Escape the Falls Escape Rooms

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 1–8:30 pm

+14062858410

Visit website

In Cahoots for Tea

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 10 am–4:30 pm

+14064522225

Visit website

The Grand Escape Room

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour

Billings, Montana

Hours: 11 am–8:30 pm

+14068608243

Visit website

Engineer Espresso

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour

Harlowton, Montana

Hours: 6 am–3 pm

+14063663382

Visit website

Al Banco Coffee Shop

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 13

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 228.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

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

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.

Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026

Origin

Great Falls, MT

Morning in Great Falls on Tuesday

Local time

6:41 AM

MDT

Current temp

51°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Laurel, MT

Morning in Laurel on Tuesday

Local time

6:41 AM

MDT

Current temp

50°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

23°F

Moore, 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

1 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.

What kind of drive is this?

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.

94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 81.9 mi on US 87.

How Hard Is This Drive?

3/10

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.

Driving Effort 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total 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.

About the Cities

Starting in Great Falls, MT

Full guide →

Founded 1883

Great Falls is a city in Central Montana. It is the third most populous city in Montana with approximately 60,000 people. It is the hub for commercial and financial dealings in the center of the state.

Top landmarks

  • • Masonic Temple — masonic temple in Great Falls, United States of America
  • • Cascade County Courthouse — county courthouse in Great Falls, United States of America
  • • Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Passenger Depot — railway station in Great Falls, the United States of America

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 21m. Total distance: 229.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (94%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 81.9 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.

Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.

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: 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.

Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Laurel, MT, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner 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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