How far is Great Falls, MT from Laurel, MT?

The driving distance from Great Falls, MT to Laurel, MT is about 240.8 miles (387.6 km), with a travel time of about 04h 00m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 174.4 miles (280.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 00m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
240.86 mi
04h 00m
Flight
174.43 mi
280.72 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Great Falls.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
174.43 mi
Kilometers
280.72 km
Flight Time
00h 21m

Driving Distance

Road route
240.86 mi
Kilometers
387.63 km
Drive Time
04h 00m

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 04h 00m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Laurel
Mon, Jun 1, 2:59 AM MDT
Return by in Great Falls
Mon, Jun 1, 7:00 AM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Great Falls
2026-05-31T22:59
Arrive Laurel
Mon, Jun 1, 2:59 AM MDT
Route Timing
04h 00m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM MDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
9:00 AM MDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Great Falls
9:00 PM MDT
Early departure recommended

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
Judith Gap
MT

City in Wheatland County, Montana, United States

From Great Falls
114.4 mi
02h 00m
To Laurel
126.4 mi
02h 00m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
54°F
Sunday

Rain

Starts
Sun, May 31 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
18 to 22 mph WNW
Destination
62°F
Sunday

Rain Showers Likely

Starts
Sun, May 31 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
18 to 23 mph WNW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Great Falls and Laurel.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Great Falls and Laurel.

  1. 1

    Start on 4th Street South

    49 m · 12 sec · 4th Street South

  2. 2

    Turn left onto 5th Avenue South

    130 m · 21 sec · 5th Avenue South

  3. 3

    Turn right onto 5th Street South

    1988 ft · 36 sec · 5th Street South

  4. 4

    Turn left onto 10th Avenue South

    5.7 mi · 8 min · 10th Avenue South

  5. 5

    Continue straight

    17.6 mi · 19 min

  6. 6

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route

    68 m · 3 sec

  7. 7

    Exit the roundabout

    1606 ft · 21 sec

  8. 8

    Turn straight

    64.3 mi · 1 hr 10 min

  9. 9

    Turn right

    39.2 mi · 43 min

  10. 10

    Turn left

    45.1 mi · 51 min

  11. 11

    Turn right

    12.4 mi · 14 min

  12. 12

    Continue straight

    2.5 mi · 3 min

  13. 13

    Continue straight

    25.5 mi · 29 min

  14. 14

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Zimmerman Trail

    10 m · 1 sec · Zimmerman Trail

  15. 15

    Exit the roundabout onto Zimmerman Trail

    2.5 mi · 4 min · Zimmerman Trail

  16. 16

    Continue on 32nd Street West

    2.2 mi · 4 min · 32nd Street West

  17. 17

    Turn right onto Gabel Road

    1 mi · 2 min · Gabel Road

  18. 18

    Turn left onto Zoo Drive

    1856 ft · 39 sec · Zoo Drive

  19. 19

    Take the ramp right

    1985 ft · 48 sec

  20. 20

    Merge slight left

    8.7 mi · 10 min

  21. 21

    Take the exit slight right toward US 212, US 310: Laurel, Red Lodge

    1844 ft · 49 sec

  22. 22

    Turn right

    1949 ft · 35 sec

  23. 23

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South 1st Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Great Falls and Laurel.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
23 steps
14 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
1 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
10th Avenue South
51.6 mi · 21%
Zoo Drive
9.45 mi · 4%
Zimmerman Trail
2.55 mi · 1%
32nd Street West
2.25 mi · 1%
Gabel Road
1.04 mi
5th Street South
0.38 mi
Longest Stretch

Longest stretch

Turn straight

64.3 mi · 01h 10m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

A longer out-and-back drive

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

Drive Time
04h 00m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 00m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+66.4 mi
174.4 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Judith Gap
02h 00m from Great Falls
Leave By
9:00 AM MDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Rain leaving Great Falls and Rain Showers Likely near Laurel.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Great Falls to Laurel?

The road trip is about 240.8 miles (387.6 km) and usually takes 04h 00m in normal driving conditions.

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

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Judith Gap is a useful midpoint, sitting about 114.4 miles from Great Falls and 126.4 miles from Laurel.

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

The direct path is about 174.4 miles (280.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 66.4 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 8:00 AM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:00 AM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.09 one way or $66.18 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 75.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Rain around Great Falls and Rain Showers Likely near Laurel.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Great Falls and Laurel. Straight-line distance: 174.43 mi (280.72 km).

Great Falls

#1 Great Falls

Town in Cascade County, Montana, United States

Population58,353
Coordinates47.5002400, -111.3008100
Altitude1015
CountryUnited States
Laurel

#2 Laurel

City in Yellowstone County, Montana, USA

Population6,715
Coordinates45.6691200, -108.7715300
Altitude1006
CountryUnited States
Start: 4th Street South (-111.300848, 47.50024)
End: South 1st Avenue (-108.771477, 45.669116)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 388 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)08h 01m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 01m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 49m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 00m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 26m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 00m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
8.5 gal
32.17 L · about $33.09
Round trip
$66.18
17 gal · 64.34 L
Estimated CO2
75.5 kg one way
Round trip: 151.1 kg / 333 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.89 $33.09 $66.18
Mid-grade $4.23 $35.96 $71.93
Premium $4.55 $38.67 $77.33
Diesel $5.41 $46.00 $92.00

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 · Jun 01, 2026

There is no time difference between Great Falls and Laurel. The current time is 22:59:28.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

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