Plentywood, MT to Evergreen, MT is 567.2 miles and takes about 10h 55m via US 2, West Roosevelt Highway, and Theodore Roosevelt Expressway, with a fuel budget near $91 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This long-haul drive spans the Mountain West region entirely within Montana. You'll encounter a significant amount of highway driving, making it a trip best suited for those who prefer covering ground efficiently. Consider this route if you're looking to connect two points in Montana with minimal fuss and a straightforward path.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
3 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
283.6 miles from Plentywood, MT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 5h 23m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 2
406.5 mi
7h 41m
West Roosevelt Highway
58 mi
1h 8m
Theodore Roosevelt Expressway
46.1 mi
52m
6th Street East
31.5 mi
36m
MT 206
9.7 mi
12m
US Route 2
7.5 mi
10m
MT 35
4.4 mi
5m
East Evergreen Drive
1 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
US 2
— 406.5 mi, about 7h 41m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Plentywood, MT and Evergreen, MT.
1
Start on South Washington Street
211 ft·13 sec·South Washington Street
2
Turn right onto MT 5; MT 16
0.8 mi·56 sec·West 1st Avenue
3
Continue on MT 5; MT 16
46 mi·52 min·Theodore Roosevelt Expressway
4
Continue on MT 16
0.1 mi·11 sec·1st Avenue East
5
Turn right onto US 2; MT 16
32 mi·36 min·6th Street East
6
Enter roundabout onto US 2
129 ft·1 sec·US 2
7
Continue on US 2
0.5 mi·36 sec·US 2
8
Enter roundabout onto US 2
125 ft·1 sec·US 2
9
Continue on US 2
332 mi·6 hr 17 min·US 2
Use the straight lane.
10
Turn right onto I 15 Bus; US 2
453 ft·16 sec·5th Avenue North
11
Continue on I 15 Bus; US 2
58 mi·1 hr 8 min·West Roosevelt Highway
12
Continue on US 2; US 89
0.6 mi·1 min·East Central Avenue
13
Enter roundabout onto US 2
246 ft·3 sec·US 2
14
Continue on US 2
72 mi·1 hr 19 min·US 2
15
Turn right
0.2 mi·1 min
16
At end of road, turn left onto Old US 2
0.4 mi·1 min·Old US 2
17
Turn right onto US 2
7.5 mi·10 min·US Route 2
18
Continue on US 2
1.7 mi·2 min·US 2
19
Turn left onto MT 206
9.7 mi·12 min·MT 206
Use the left lane.
20
At end of road, turn right onto MT 35
4.4 mi·5 min·MT 35
21
Turn right onto Helena Flats Road
0.1 mi·19 sec·Helena Flats Road
22
Turn left onto East Evergreen Drive
1.0 mi·2 min·East Evergreen Drive
23
Turn left onto US 2
26 ft·0 sec·La Salle Road
24
Arrive at destination
US 2
Trip Plan
Given the 10-hour duration, it's highly recommended to split this drive over two days. Aim to leave Plentywood in the morning to maximize daylight for your first leg. With 3 recommended stops, plan to break up the 406.5-mile stretch on US 2 to avoid fatigue. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longer highway segments, as services might be spaced out. Evergreen offers a good destination to relax after a substantial drive across the state.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 3 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 283.6 miles from Plentywood, MT, or about 5h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 406.5 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 125 miles or 2h 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 283.6 miles or 5h 23m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 283.6 miles or 5h 23m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 9h 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Evergreen, MT than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
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Open the route before leaving Plentywood, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Plentywood, MT
Aim for roughly 284 miles and 5.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Evergreen, MT
Aim for roughly 284 miles and 5.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 125 miles from Plentywood, MT.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 3 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 2 for about 406.5 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 561.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip|~0m in|MT 5; MT 16 / West 1st Avenue
Turn right onto MT 5; MT 16 / West 1st Avenue
Navigation decision point
4
47.1 mi into trip|~53m in|US 2; MT 16 / 6th Street East
Turn right onto US 2; MT 16 / 6th Street East
Navigation decision point
5
542.3 mi into trip|~10h 20m in|Old US 2
At end of road, turn left onto Old US 2
Navigation decision point
6
551.9 mi into trip|~10h 34m in|MT 206
Turn left onto MT 206
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
561.6 mi into trip|~10h 46m in|MT 35
At end of road, turn right onto MT 35
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$88.41 one way
$176.81 round trip
$3.96/gal25.4 MPG avg199 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.17
$93.19
$186.37
premium
$4.47
$99.91
$199.82
diesel
$4.80
$107.10
$214.20
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$88
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$218–$328
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 198.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $60 in charging
· 2 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
170.2
2
$59.56
$27.23
Efficient EV
141.8
1
$49.63
$22.69
EV Truck/SUV
226.9
2
$79.41
$36.30
Gas CO2
198 kg
EV CO2
66 kg (67% less)
Plan for 2 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 Jul 16, 2026
Origin
Plentywood, MT
Afternoon
in Plentywood on Saturday
Local time
2:38 PM
MDT
Current temp
83°F
Sunny
N 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 16 at 3:23PM MDT until July 16 at 4:15PM MDT by NWS Great Falls MT
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 16 at 3:02PM MDT until July 16 at 3:30PM MDT by NWS Great Falls MT
Destination
Evergreen, MT
Afternoon
in Evergreen on Saturday
Local time
2:38 PM
MDT
Current temp
91°F
Slight Chance Light Rain
ESE 3 mph17% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 16 at 3:23PM MDT until July 16 at 4:15PM MDT by NWS Great Falls MT
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 16 at 3:02PM MDT until July 16 at 3:30PM MDT by NWS Great Falls MT
91°F
Malta, MT
187 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
8 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
10h 55m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Glacier National Park
National Park
A showcase of melting glaciers, alpine meadows, carved valleys, and spectacular lakes. With over 700 miles of trails, Glacier is a paradise for adventurous visitors seeking a landscape steeped in huma...
15 mi from route
~38 min detour
$35
near mile 528.1
Park Closure: Going-to-the-Sun Road Seasonal Closure
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route features 84% highway driving, meaning you'll spend most of your time on high-speed roads. The longest continuous stretch on US 2 covers 406.5 miles, offering a significant period of rural cruising without many interruptions. Expect a consistent pace for the majority of the trip, with the transition to surface roads occurring later in the drive. The sheer length of the highway segments means you'll notice long stretches of open road.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 406.5 mi on US 2.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 2 and West Roosevelt Highway. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near MT 5; MT 16 / West 1st Avenue.
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 567.2 miles you will encounter 15 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: near the start (MT 5; MT 16 / West 1st Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 47.1 miles (US 2; MT 16 / 6th Street East): Navigation decision point; at 542.3 miles (Old US 2): Navigation decision point.
Kalispell is a town in Montana, near Glacier National Park. The name of the town means "flat land above the lake" in Salish, a Native American language. The population is about 23,000 (2016).
Moderate complexity with 3 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
10h 55m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 406.5 miles on US 2. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 284 miles on day one.
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.
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 Evergreen, 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 3 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: near the start (MT 5; MT 16 / West 1st Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 47.1 miles (US 2; MT 16 / 6th Street East): Navigation decision point; at 542.3 miles (Old US 2): Navigation decision point.
Yes — Glacier National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 10.9 hours each way, a round trip means 21.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Evergreen, MT before the return drive.
