How far is Fort Benton, MT from Helena, MT?
The driving distance from Fort Benton, MT to Helena, MT is about 130.1 miles (209.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 08m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 106.3 miles (171.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 16m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 08m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Town in Cascade County, Montana, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Fort Benton and Helena.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Benton and Helena.
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1
Start on the route
24 m · 6 sec
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2
Turn right
59 m · 19 sec
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3
Turn left onto Main Street
1237 ft · 54 sec · Main Street
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4
Turn right onto 12th Street
1366 ft · 1 min · 12th Street
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5
Turn left onto Saint Charles Street
117 m · 11 sec · Saint Charles Street
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6
Continue on MT 386
1.4 mi · 3 min · MT 386
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7
Turn left onto US 87
35.7 mi · 38 min · US 87
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8
Continue on 15th Street Northeast
91 m · 6 sec · 15th Street Northeast
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9
Turn right onto Old Havre Highway
1.4 km · 1 min · Old Havre Highway
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10
Turn right onto Smelter Avenue Northeast
2860 ft · 43 sec · Smelter Avenue Northeast
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11
Turn straight onto 3rd Street Northwest
1.4 mi · 2 min · 3rd Street Northwest
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12
Turn right onto Central Avenue West
1.3 mi · 2 min · Central Avenue West
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13
Turn sharp left
1425 ft · 35 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
86.3 mi · 1 hr 23 min · First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward I 15 Business
1393 ft · 35 sec
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16
At the end of the road, turn right onto Cedar Street
2855 ft · 1 min · Cedar Street
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17
Continue on North Last Chance Gulch Street
1.2 mi · 3 min · North Last Chance Gulch Street
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18
Turn slight left onto Cruse Avenue
31 m · 4 sec · Cruse Avenue
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Cruse Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Fort Benton and Helena.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
Merge slight left onto First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
86.3 mi · 01h 23m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Mostly Sunny leaving Fort Benton and Mostly Sunny near Helena.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Fort Benton to Helena?
The road trip is about 130.1 miles (209.3 km) and usually takes 02h 08m 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?
Cascade is a useful midpoint, sitting about 65.2 miles from Fort Benton and 64.9 miles from Helena.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 106.3 miles (171.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 23.8 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:14 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $20.63 one way or $41.25 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 40.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Fort Benton and Mostly Sunny near Helena.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Fort Benton and Helena. Straight-line distance: 106.29 mi (171.06 km).
#1 Fort Benton
City in Montana, USA
| Population | 1,442 |
| Coordinates | 47.8183000, -110.6674400 |
| Altitude | 799 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Helena
State capital of Montana, United States and seat of Lewis and Clark County
| Population | 33,737 |
| Coordinates | 46.5927100, -112.0361100 |
| Altitude | 1237 |
| Country | United States |
End: Cruse Avenue (-112.036062, 46.592722)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 209 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 20m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 15m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 36m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 10m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 51m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 37m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $4.49 | $20.63 | $41.25 |
| Mid-grade | $4.83 | $22.15 | $44.29 |
| Premium | $5.19 | $23.84 | $47.67 |
| Diesel | $6.11 | $28.04 | $56.09 |
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