Connecting Lockwood to Choteau is a straightforward 276.7-mile trek across Montana. You can expect to spend about 5 hours and 14 minutes behind the wheel, making this a very manageable single-day trip. Your journey primarily follows US 87, US 12, and MT 3, keeping you on the road for the majority of the time. With an estimated fuel cost of $44, it is a budget-friendly way to traverse the Mountain West. Since the entire drive stays within Montana, the landscape remains consistent, offering a steady transit between these two points. It is a practical route for travelers who prefer a direct, no-nonsense approach to reaching their destination.
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
138.3 miles from Lockwood, MT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 38m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 87
84.3 mi
1h 31m
US 12
45.1 mi
50m
MT 3
41.1 mi
47m
US 89
40.5 mi
45m
US 191
39.2 mi
42m
First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
9.4 mi
9m
2nd Avenue North
4.3 mi
7m
Airport Road
2.7 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
US 87
— 84.3 mi, about 1h 31m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lockwood, MT and Choteau, MT.
1
Start on Johnson Lane
0.2 mi·32 sec·Johnson Lane
2
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·54 sec
3
Merge onto I 90; US 87; US 212
1.8 mi·2 min·I 90; US 87; US 212
4
Take the exit onto I 90 Business; US 87
0.3 mi·36 sec·I 90 Business; US 87
Toward I 90 Business, US 87 North: Lockwood, Roundup
5
Merge onto I 90 Business; US 87
1.2 mi·1 min·US Highway 87 East
6
Take the exit onto US 87
0.7 mi·1 min·US 87
7
Turn left onto Aronson Avenue
486 ft·11 sec·Aronson Avenue
8
Turn right onto Swords Lane
249 ft·12 sec·Swords Lane
9
Turn left onto Airport Road
2.7 mi·4 min·Airport Road
10
Enter roundabout onto MT 3
146 ft·2 sec·MT 3
11
Continue on MT 3
3.1 mi·3 min·MT 3
12
Enter roundabout onto MT 3
144 ft·2 sec·MT 3
13
Continue on MT 3
25 mi·28 min·MT 3
14
Continue on MT-3
2.5 mi·2 min·Iowa Avenue
15
Continue on MT 3
12 mi·14 min·MT 3
16
At end of road, turn left onto US 12; MT 3
45 mi·50 min·US 12; MT 3
17
Turn right onto US 191; MT 3
39 mi·42 min·US 191; MT 3
18
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
19
Turn slight right
0.3 mi·20 sec
20
Enter roundabout
172 ft·2 sec
21
Continue
0.1 mi·7 sec
22
Continue on US 87; US 89; MT 3; MT 200
19 mi·20 min·US 87; US 89; MT 3; MT 200
23
Turn right onto US 87 Bypass
0.9 mi·1 min·57th Street South
24
Turn left onto 2nd Avenue North
4.3 mi·7 min·2nd Avenue North
25
At end of road, turn left onto I 15 Business
240 ft·4 sec·Park Drive North
26
Turn right onto I 15 Business
0.2 mi·23 sec·1st Avenue North
27
Continue on I 15 Business
0.2 mi·17 sec·First Avenue North Bridge
28
Continue on I 15 Business
1.4 mi·1 min·Central Avenue West
29
Take the exit onto I 15 Business
0.2 mi·32 sec·I 15 Business
30
Merge onto I 15; US 89; MT 200
9.4 mi·9 min·First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
31
Take the exit onto US 89; MT 200
8.3 mi·9 min·US 89; MT 200
Exit 290
32
Turn right onto US 89
32 mi·35 min·US 89
33
Enter roundabout onto US 89
514 ft·17 sec·West Division Street
34
Continue on US 89
143 ft·4 sec·West Division Street
35
Turn slight right onto US 89
367 ft·14 sec·Main Avenue North
36
Arrive at destination
US 89
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour and 14-minute duration, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time to avoid heavy traffic. While the trip is easily accomplished in one day, you should budget for at least one stop to stretch your legs and refresh. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during that long 84.3-mile stretch on US 87, to ensure you don't run low between service stations. Since the route is efficient, you won't need to stress about complex detours or split-day planning. Use the $44 fuel estimate as a baseline for your travel budget and always keep a little extra set aside for unexpected stops along the way.
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 138.3 miles from Lockwood, MT, or about 2h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 84.3 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 61 miles or 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 138.3 miles or 2h 38m 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 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Choteau, MT than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
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 276.7 miles and 5h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 miles from Lockwood, 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 84.3 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.5 and 224.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
2.5 mi into trip|~3m in|I 90 Business; US 87
Take the exit onto I 90 Business; US 87 toward I 90 Business, US 87 North: Lockwood, Roundup
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 90 Business, US 87 North: Lockwood, Ro...
5
4.7 mi into trip|~7m in|Swords Lane
Turn right onto Swords Lane
Navigation decision point
5
51 mi into trip|~1h 1m in|US 12; MT 3
At end of road, turn left onto US 12; MT 3
Navigation decision point
5
199.9 mi into trip|~3h 45m in
Enter roundabout
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
224.5 mi into trip|~4h 15m in|I 15 Business / Park Drive North
At end of road, turn left onto I 15 Business / Park Drive North
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.85 one way
$87.69 round trip
$4.03/gal25.4 MPG avg97 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$45.96
$91.92
premium
$4.53
$49.36
$98.72
diesel
$5.61
$61.09
$122.18
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: 96.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
83
1
$29.05
$13.28
Efficient EV
69.2
0
$24.21
$11.07
EV Truck/SUV
110.7
1
$38.74
$17.71
Gas CO2
97 kg
EV CO2
32 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 12, 2026
Origin
Lockwood, MT
Late night
in Lockwood on Tuesday
Local time
4:36 AM
MDT
Current temp
70°F
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SSW 8 mph47% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Choteau, MT
Late night
in Choteau on Tuesday
Local time
4:36 AM
MDT
Current temp
55°F
Partly Sunny then Chance Light Rain
N 5 to 8 mph25% chanceLive forecast
46°F
Lewistown, MT
138 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
15 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 14m 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?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 92% of this route is comprised of major roads. You will settle into a steady rhythm with the longest uninterrupted stretch covering 84.3 miles on US 87. The road feels open and consistent, providing a predictable pace rather than a technical or winding challenge. Because the vast majority of the 276.7-mile trip is highway driving, you can maintain a steady speed throughout the journey. It is the type of drive where the miles roll by quickly, allowing you to focus on the road ahead without constant navigation changes.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
36 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 84.3 mi on US 87.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
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 around 2.5 miles in near I 90 Business; US 87.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 5h 14m drive. You will face about 22 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2.5 miles (I 90 Business; US 87): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.7 miles (Swords Lane): Navigation decision point; at 51 miles (US 12; MT 3): Navigation decision point.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
4,621 ft3,098 ft
Total Climb
2,414 ft
Total Descent
1,693 ft
Highest Point
4,621 ft
~115.3 mi in
Elevation Range
1,523 ft
Notable High Points
4,621 ft at ~115.3 miles+306 ft prominence
4,545 ft at ~172.9 miles+230 ft prominence
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 14m. Total distance: 276.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
The longest stretch is about 84.3 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.
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 2.5 miles (I 90 Business; US 87): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.7 miles (Swords Lane): Navigation decision point; at 51 miles (US 12; MT 3): Navigation decision point.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Choteau, MT before the return drive.
