West Yellowstone, MT to Havre, MT is 382.6 miles and takes about 6h 57m via US 287, with a fuel budget near $64 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Montana, moving from the Mountain West region to another part of the same region. Expect a drive primarily on surface roads, offering a more grounded perspective of the landscape than a pure interstate experience. With a single recommended day and a modest duration, this route is a straightforward way to cover a significant distance within the state.
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
191.3 miles from West Yellowstone, MT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 34m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 287
108.6 mi
2h 3m
15th Street Northeast
107.3 mi
1h 58m
First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
87.6 mi
1h 24m
Hebgen Lake Road
62.7 mi
1h 8m
Gallatin Road
8.2 mi
9m
US 2
3 mi
3m
3rd Street Northwest
1.4 mi
1m
Central Avenue West
1.2 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 287
— 108.6 mi, about 2h 3m
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 West Yellowstone, MT and Havre, MT.
1
Start on Electric Street
39 ft·5 sec·Electric Street
2
Turn right onto US 20
0.2 mi·47 sec·Firehole Avenue
3
Turn left onto US 191; US 287
0.2 mi·28 sec·Canyon Street
4
Continue on US 191; US 287
8.2 mi·9 min·Gallatin Road
5
Turn left onto US 287
63 mi·1 hr 8 min·Hebgen Lake Road
6
Turn straight onto US 287
448 ft·15 sec·US 287
7
Continue on US 287
108 mi·2 hr 2 min·US 287
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Take the exit onto US 287
0.4 mi·47 sec·US 287
Toward I 15 North: Great Falls
9
Merge onto I 15; US 287
88 mi·1 hr 24 min·First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
Use the slight right lane.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
11
Keep slight right at fork
229 ft·5 sec
12
Merge onto I 15 Business
1.2 mi·1 min·Central Avenue West
13
Turn left onto 3rd Street Northwest
1.4 mi·1 min·3rd Street Northwest
14
Continue on Smelter Avenue Northeast
0.5 mi·45 sec·Smelter Avenue Northeast
15
Turn left onto Old Havre Highway
0.9 mi·1 min·Old Havre Highway
16
Turn left onto US 87
107 mi·1 hr 58 min·15th Street Northeast
17
Turn right onto US 2
3.0 mi·3 min·US 2
18
Turn right onto 1st Avenue
0.3 mi·1 min·1st Avenue
19
Turn right onto 5th Street
421 ft·20 sec·5th Street
20
Turn right onto Montana Avenue
161 ft·7 sec·Montana Avenue
21
Arrive at destination
Montana Avenue
Trip Plan
Aim to depart West Yellowstone in the morning to take advantage of the approximately 7-hour drive time and finish in Havre before dark. While this route can comfortably be completed in one day, the 108.6-mile stretch on US 287 is a good point to consider a brief stop if needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you move onto surface roads, as services can be more spread out. The fuel cost is estimated at $64, so factor that into your budget before you leave.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 191.3 miles from West Yellowstone, MT, or about 3h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 108.6 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 84 miles or 1h 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 191.3 miles or 3h 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 5h 49m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Havre, MT than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving West Yellowstone, 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 West Yellowstone, MT
This is one driving day of about 382.6 miles and 6h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 84 miles from West Yellowstone, 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 287 for about 108.6 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 267.8 — 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|US 20 / Firehole Avenue
Turn right onto US 20 / Firehole Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
0.2 mi into trip|~0m in|US 191; US 287 / Canyon Street
Turn left onto US 191; US 287 / Canyon Street
Navigation decision point
4
8.6 mi into trip|~10m in|US 287 / Hebgen Lake Road
Turn left onto US 287 / Hebgen Lake Road
Navigation decision point
5
179.9 mi into trip|~3h 23m in|I 15; US 287 / First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
Merge onto I 15; US 287 / First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
5
267.8 mi into trip|~4h 48m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$59.63 one way
$119.27 round trip
$3.96/gal25.4 MPG avg134 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.17
$62.86
$125.72
premium
$4.47
$67.39
$134.78
diesel
$4.80
$72.24
$144.48
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$60
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$85–$110
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 133.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $40 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
114.8
1
$40.17
$18.36
Efficient EV
95.7
1
$33.48
$15.30
EV Truck/SUV
153
1
$53.56
$24.49
Gas CO2
134 kg
EV CO2
45 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 17, 2026
Origin
West Yellowstone, MT
Morning
in West Yellowstone on Sunday
Local time
8:42 AM
MDT
Current temp
46°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NE 0 to 3 mph23% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Watch
Flash Flood Watch issued July 15 at 11:51AM MDT until July 17 at 12:00AM MDT by NWS Great Falls MT
Destination
Havre, MT
Morning
in Havre on Sunday
Local time
8:42 AM
MDT
Current temp
62°F
Chance Rain Showers
ESE 9 mph36% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Watch
Flash Flood Watch issued July 15 at 11:51AM MDT until July 17 at 12:00AM MDT by NWS Great Falls 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
16 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
6h 57m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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.
Yellowstone National Park
National Park
On March 1, 1872, Yellowstone became the first national park for all to enjoy the unique hydrothermal wonders. Today, millions of people come here each year to camp, hike, and enjoy the majesty of the...
28 mi from route
~69 min detour
$35
Caution: Elk with Calves are Extremely Dangerous
Park Closure: Temporary Closure of Some Trails, Backcountry Campsites, and Fishing Areas
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This 382.6-mile route features a 29% highway share, meaning you'll spend most of your time on surface roads. You'll encounter the longest continuous stretch of 108.6 miles on US 287. Expect rural cruising for the majority of the drive, transitioning from highway segments to surface roads relatively early in the trip.
Only 29% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 108.6 mi on US 287.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 20 / Firehole Avenue.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 57m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 11 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 20 / Firehole Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (US 191; US 287 / Canyon Street): Navigation decision point; at 8.6 miles (US 287 / Hebgen Lake Road): Navigation decision point.
West Yellowstone, Montana, is a rustic mountain town nestled between National Forest lands and is the gateway to Yellowstone National Park. It is only a mile from the park entrance, and the town's airport is the closest to the park, and to attractions like Old Faithful.
Top landmarks
•Eagle's Store — historic commercial building in West Yellowstone, Montana, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 57m. Total distance: 382.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 57m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 108.6 miles on US 287. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 7 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 is a long drive, so arriving tired and in the dark compounds. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Havre, 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 7 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: near the start (US 20 / Firehole Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (US 191; US 287 / Canyon Street): Navigation decision point; at 8.6 miles (US 287 / Hebgen Lake Road): Navigation decision point.
Yes — Yellowstone National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.0 hours each way, a round trip means 13.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Havre, MT before the return drive.
