How far is Columbia Falls, MT from Laurel, MT?
The driving distance from Columbia Falls, MT to Laurel, MT is about 424.6 miles (683.4 km), with a travel time of about 07h 00m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 315.8 miles (508.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 14h 01m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM MDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 07h 00m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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.
Town of the United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Columbia Falls and Laurel.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Columbia Falls and Laurel.
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1
Start on 7th Street West
31 m · 7 sec · 7th Street West
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2
Turn right onto Nucleus Avenue
784 ft · 34 sec · Nucleus Avenue
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3
At the end of the road, turn left onto 9th Street
1603 ft · 49 sec · 9th Street
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4
Continue on US 2
1.3 mi · 2 min · US 2
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5
Turn right
9.7 mi · 12 min
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6
At the end of the road, turn left
11.4 mi · 13 min
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7
Turn left
91.1 mi · 1 hr 44 min
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8
Turn left
23.8 mi · 26 min
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9
Turn right onto State Highway 141
32.5 mi · 35 min · State Highway 141
-
10
Turn sharp right
12.9 mi · 14 min
-
11
Turn left
2539 ft · 43 sec
-
12
Continue straight
802 ft · 14 sec
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13
Take the ramp straight
1.4 km · 2 min
-
14
Merge slight left
45 mi · 42 min
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15
Keep slight right
110.8 mi · 1 hr 51 min
-
16
Continue straight
6.9 mi · 6 min
-
17
Continue straight
93.9 mi · 1 hr 32 min
-
18
Take the exit slight right toward US 212, US 310: Laurel, Red Lodge
1266 ft · 31 sec
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19
Turn right
1 km · 59 sec
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South 1st Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Columbia Falls and Laurel.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
State Highway 141
Keep slight right
111 mi · 01h 51m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Mostly Sunny leaving Columbia Falls and Sunny near Laurel.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Columbia Falls to Laurel?
The road trip is about 424.6 miles (683.4 km) and usually takes 07h 00m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Walkerville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 220.8 miles from Columbia Falls and 203.9 miles from Laurel.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 315.8 miles (508.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 108.8 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 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM MDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $58.32 one way or $116.63 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 133.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Columbia Falls and Sunny near Laurel.
Stop Ideas Near Walkerville
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Walkerville.
Butte, MT
Bozeman, MT
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Columbia Falls and Laurel. Straight-line distance: 315.82 mi (508.27 km).
#1 Columbia Falls
Town in Montana, United States
| Population | 6,209 |
| Coordinates | 48.3724600, -114.1815200 |
| Altitude | 941 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Laurel
City in Yellowstone County, Montana, USA
| Population | 6,715 |
| Coordinates | 45.6691200, -108.7715300 |
| Altitude | 1006 |
| Country | United States |
End: South 1st Avenue (-108.771477, 45.669116)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 683 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 14h 08m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 10h 37m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 08h 29m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 07h 04m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 06h 04m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 05h 17m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.89 | $58.32 | $116.63 |
| Mid-grade | $4.23 | $63.38 | $126.76 |
| Premium | $4.55 | $68.14 | $136.29 |
| Diesel | $5.41 | $81.07 | $162.14 |
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 · Apr 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.