How far is Clinton, MT from Helena, MT?

The driving distance from Clinton, MT to Helena, MT is about 97.6 miles (157.1 km), with a travel time of about 01h 30m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 80.4 miles (129.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 00m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
97.6 mi
01h 30m
Flight
80.4 mi
129.39 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Clinton.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
80.4 mi
Kilometers
129.39 km
Flight Time
00h 09m

Driving Distance

Road route
97.6 mi
Kilometers
157.07 km
Drive Time
01h 30m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 01h 30m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Helena
Thu, Oct 15, 8:05 PM MDT
Return by in Clinton
Thu, Oct 15, 9:36 PM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Clinton
2026-10-15T18:35
Arrive Helena
Thu, Oct 15, 8:05 PM MDT
Route Timing
01h 30m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:30 AM to 11:30 AM MDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
3:30 PM MDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Clinton
9:30 PM MDT
Morning start is best

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Dutton
MT

Town of the United States

From Clinton
48.7 mi
00h 45m
To Helena
48.9 mi
00h 45m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
59°F
Thursday

Widespread Frost then Sunny

Starts
Thu, Oct 15 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
3 mph ESE
Destination
43°F
Today

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Oct 15 10:00 AM MDT
Wind
3 mph N

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Clinton and Helena.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Clinton and Helena.

  1. 1

    Start on 2nd Street

    26 m · 9 sec · 2nd Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto East Mullan Road

    1.2 km · 2 min · East Mullan Road

  3. 3

    Turn right

    783 ft · 24 sec

  4. 4

    Take the ramp right

    1624 ft · 40 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    52.2 mi · 49 min

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward US 12 East: Garrison, Helena

    43.8 mi · 51 min

  7. 7

    Turn right onto North Benton Avenue

    1542 ft · 58 sec · North Benton Avenue

  8. 8

    Turn left onto Neill Avenue

    1201 ft · 43 sec · Neill Avenue

  9. 9

    Turn slight right onto Cruse Avenue

    31 m · 4 sec · Cruse Avenue

  10. 10

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Cruse Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Clinton and Helena.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
10 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
East Mullan Road
53.2 mi · 55%
US 12 East
43.8 mi · 45%
North Benton Avenue
0.29 mi
Neill Avenue
0.23 mi
Cruse Avenue
0.02 mi
2nd Street
0.02 mi
Longest Stretch

East Mullan Road

Merge slight left

52.2 mi · 00h 49m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
01h 30m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 00m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+17.2 mi
80.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Dutton
00h 45m from Clinton
Leave By
3:30 PM MDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Widespread Frost then Sunny leaving Clinton and Sunny near Helena.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Clinton to Helena?

The road trip is about 97.6 miles (157.1 km) and usually takes 01h 30m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Dutton is a useful midpoint, sitting about 48.7 miles from Clinton and 48.9 miles from Helena.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 80.4 miles (129.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 17.2 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:30 PM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.46 one way or $30.92 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 30.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Widespread Frost then Sunny around Clinton and Sunny near Helena.

Stop Ideas Near Dutton

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Dutton, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Dutton.

BUS

Butte, MT

74 mi away
1324 Harrison Avenue
BUS

Missoula, MT

87 mi away
1660 West Broadway Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Clinton and Helena. Straight-line distance: 80.4 mi (129.39 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Clinton

Situated at an elevation of 3,468 feet in Missoula County, this unincorporated community lies in a narrow valley along the Clark Fork River and Interstate 90, flanked by mountain ranges.

Population0
Coordinates46.7690900, -113.7126000
Altitude1057
CountryUnited States
Helena

#2 Helena

State capital of Montana, United States and seat of Lewis and Clark County

Population33,737
Coordinates46.5927100, -112.0361100
Altitude1237
CountryUnited States
Start: 2nd Street (-113.712619, 46.769154)
End: Cruse Avenue (-112.036062, 46.592722)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 157 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)03h 15m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)02h 26m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 57m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 37m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 23m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 13m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
3.44 gal
13.04 L · about $15.46
Round trip
$30.92
6.88 gal · 26.08 L
Estimated CO2
30.6 kg one way
Round trip: 61.1 kg / 135 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.49 $15.46 $30.92
Mid-grade $4.83 $16.60 $33.20
Premium $5.19 $17.86 $35.73
Diesel $6.11 $21.02 $42.04

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Montana · Oct 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Clinton and Helena. The current time is 18:35:05.

Distance to Other Cities

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.