Havre to Manhattan is 280.4 miles and takes about 5h 2m via US 87, with a fuel budget near $46 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Mountain West region, crossing Montana entirely. Expect a primarily highway experience for most of the drive, making it a straightforward and efficient route. Given the relatively short duration and manageable distance, this is a perfect one-day excursion for those looking to cover ground without an overnight stop.
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
140.2 miles from Havre, MT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 34m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 87
107.3 mi
1h 58m
First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
87.5 mi
1h 24m
US 12
34.1 mi
40m
US 287
27.9 mi
30m
I 90
13.4 mi
13m
1st Street
3.1 mi
3m
3rd Street Northwest
1.4 mi
1m
Central Avenue West
1.3 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 87
— 107.3 mi, about 1h 58m
Traffic on I-15
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~467 veh/hr typical
· worst 567
Quietest
2 AM
~12 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
38.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Havre, MT and Manhattan, MT.
1
Start on Montana Avenue
161 ft·11 sec·Montana Avenue
2
Turn left onto 5th Street
0.1 mi·39 sec·5th Street
3
Turn left onto 2nd Avenue
0.3 mi·1 min·2nd Avenue
4
Turn left onto US 2
3.1 mi·3 min·1st Street
Use the left lane.
5
Turn left onto US 87
107 mi·1 hr 58 min·US 87
Use the left lane.
6
Continue on US 87
297 ft·5 sec·15th Street Northeast
7
Turn right onto Old Havre Highway
0.8 mi·1 min·Old Havre Highway
8
Turn right onto Smelter Avenue Northeast
0.5 mi·42 sec·Smelter Avenue Northeast
9
Turn straight onto 3rd Street Northwest
1.4 mi·1 min·3rd Street Northwest
10
Turn right onto I 15 Business
1.3 mi·1 min·Central Avenue West
11
Turn sharp left
0.3 mi·34 sec
12
Merge onto I 15; US 89; MT 200
87 mi·1 hr 24 min·First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
13
Take the exit onto US 287
0.2 mi·33 sec·US 287
Exit 192Toward US 12 South, US 287 South: Townsend, Capitol Area
14
Turn left onto US 12; US 287
1.0 mi·1 min·Prospect Avenue
15
Continue on US 12; US 287
3.6 mi·5 min·US 12; US 287
16
Continue on US 12; US 287
0.3 mi·26 sec·US 12; US 287
17
Continue on US 12; US 287
30 mi·34 min·US 12; US 287
Use the straight lane.
18
Continue on US 287
2.3 mi·2 min·US 287
Use the straight lane.
19
Continue on US 287
1.2 mi·1 min·US 287
Use the straight lane.
20
Continue on US 287
1.4 mi·1 min·US 287
Use the straight lane.
21
Continue on US 287
23 mi·24 min·US 287
Use the straight lane.
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward I 90 East: Billings
23
Merge onto I 90
13 mi·13 min·I 90
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi·39 sec
Toward MT 346, MT 288: Manhattan, Amsterdam
25
Turn left onto Churchill Road
0.3 mi·27 sec·Churchill Road
26
Continue on Broadway Street South
0.3 mi·30 sec·Broadway Street South
27
Arrive at destination
Broadway Street South
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour drive, leaving in the morning is ideal to maximize daylight and allow for a relaxed pace. With only one recommended stop, you have plenty of flexibility to break up the drive as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 107.3-mile stretch on US 87, as services might be spaced out. Your estimated fuel cost is around $46, so plan accordingly. Since this is a single-day trip, you can depart at your leisure, but an early start ensures you arrive with ample time to settle in.
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 140.2 miles from Havre, MT, or about 2h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 107.3 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 62 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 140.2 miles or 2h 34m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Manhattan, MT than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Havre, 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 Havre, MT
This is one driving day of about 280.4 miles and 5h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 miles from Havre, 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 107.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.5 and 265.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.5 mi into trip|~2m in|US 2 / 1st Street
Turn left onto US 2 / 1st Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
3.6 mi into trip|~5m in|US 87
Turn left onto US 87
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
115.1 mi into trip|~2h 9m in
Turn sharp left
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
6
202.8 mi into trip|~3h 34m in|US 287
Take the exit onto US 287 toward US 12 South, US 287 South: Townsend, Capitol Area
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 192
Toward US 12 South, US 287 South: Townsend, Cap...
6
265.8 mi into trip|~4h 47m in
Take the exit toward I 90 East: Billings
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 90 East: Billings
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.70 one way
$87.41 round trip
$3.96/gal25.4 MPG avg98 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.17
$46.07
$92.13
premium
$4.47
$49.39
$98.78
diesel
$4.80
$52.94
$105.89
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 98.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
84.1
1
$29.44
$13.46
Efficient EV
70.1
0
$24.54
$11.22
EV Truck/SUV
112.2
1
$39.26
$17.95
Gas CO2
98 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (66% 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Havre, MT
Morning
in Havre on Sunday
Local time
8:41 AM
MDT
Current temp
63°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
ENE 5 to 13 mph68% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 8:08PM MDT by NWS Great Falls MT
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 8:05PM MDT by NWS Billings MT
Destination
Manhattan, MT
Morning
in Manhattan on Sunday
Local time
8:41 AM
MDT
Current temp
57°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SSW 1 to 7 mph70% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 8:08PM MDT by NWS Great Falls MT
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 8:05PM MDT by NWS Billings MT
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
6 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
5h 2m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
With 65% of the drive on highways, you'll spend a good portion of your time on faster roads. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 107.3 miles, primarily on US 87. You’ll likely notice the transition from more rural cruising to sections with a higher density of exits as you approach your destination. The profile is mostly highway, meaning fewer transitions between surface streets and high-speed roads.
65% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 107.3 mi on US 87.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 87 and First Special Service Force Memorial Highway. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near US 2 / 1st Street.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 280.4 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (US 2 / 1st Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.6 miles (US 87): Lane positioning matters here; at 115.1 miles: Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
4,590 ft2,524 ft
Total Climb
3,096 ft
Total Descent
1,371 ft
Highest Point
4,590 ft
~260.3 mi in
Elevation Range
2,066 ft
Notable High Points
4,153 ft at ~180.2 miles+374 ft prominence
4,296 ft at ~220.3 miles+433 ft prominence
4,590 ft at ~260.3 miles+341 ft prominence
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 Havre, MT to Manhattan, MT, road signs begin pointing toward Capitol Area along the way.
Wall Street. Madison Avenue. 34th Street. Broadway. Times Square. Manhattan is so well known that even the names of its streets have become iconic and understood the world over. This long, thin island is only one of New York City's five boroughs, but it's Manhattan that has the concrete canyons and the inimitable skyline; Manhattan that has the world's brightest theater district; Manhattan that has Central Park, Rockefeller Center, the Empire State Building, and the Met; and Manhattan that includes iconic neighborhoods like Harlem, the Upper East Side, Times Square, and Greenwich Village.
The rest of New York City has much to see and do, but it's Manhattan that represents the city—and sometimes the entire United States—to the world. You could spend a month on this tiny island and still not see all there is to see.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 2m. Total distance: 280.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 107.3 miles on US 87. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 6 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Manhattan, 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. There are 6 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 0.5 miles (US 2 / 1st Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.6 miles (US 87): Lane positioning matters here; at 115.1 miles: Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.0 hours each way, a round trip means 10.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Manhattan, MT before the return drive.
