How far is Helena, MT from Colstrip, MT?
The driving distance from Helena, MT to Colstrip, MT is about 365.2 miles (587.7 km), with a travel time of about 06h 36m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 263.2 miles (423.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 13h 12m 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 06h 36m.
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 in Montana
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Chance Rain Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Helena and Colstrip.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Helena and Colstrip.
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1
Start on Cruse Avenue
50 m · 8 sec · Cruse Avenue
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2
Turn left onto 11th Avenue
1.4 mi · 4 min · 11th Avenue
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3
Turn straight onto Prospect Avenue
1.3 mi · 2 min · Prospect Avenue
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4
Continue straight
3.6 mi · 5 min
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5
Continue straight
1678 ft · 26 sec
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6
Continue straight
30.2 mi · 34 min
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7
Continue straight
2.3 mi · 2 min
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8
Continue straight
1.2 mi · 1 min
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9
Continue straight
1.4 mi · 2 min
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10
Continue straight
22.7 mi · 24 min
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11
Take the exit left toward I 90 East: Billings
1372 ft · 34 sec
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12
Merge slight left
180.8 mi · 3 hr 2 min
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13
Keep slight right to continue on I 90 East: Sheridan
54 mi · 51 min
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14
Take the exit slight right toward US 212 East: Little Bighorn Battlefield, Broadus
2032 ft · 54 sec
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15
Turn left
42.1 mi · 50 min
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16
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Cheyenne Avenue
100 m · 6 sec · Cheyenne Avenue
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17
Exit the roundabout onto Cheyenne Avenue
2522 ft · 43 sec · Cheyenne Avenue
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18
Continue on State Highway 39
22.2 mi · 33 min · State Highway 39
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19
Turn right onto Box Elder Avenue
2176 ft · 2 min · Box Elder Avenue
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Park Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Helena and Colstrip.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
I 90 East
Merge slight left
181 mi · 03h 02m
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Helena and Chance Rain Showers near Colstrip.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Helena to Colstrip?
The road trip is about 365.2 miles (587.7 km) and usually takes 06h 36m 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?
Absarokee is a useful midpoint, sitting about 182.2 miles from Helena and 182.9 miles from Colstrip.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 263.2 miles (423.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 102 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 $50.18 one way or $100.36 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 114.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Helena and Chance Rain Showers near Colstrip.
Stop Ideas Near Absarokee
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 Absarokee.
Billings, MT
Livingston, MT
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Helena and Colstrip. Straight-line distance: 263.19 mi (423.57 km).
#1 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 |
#2 Colstrip
Town focused on coal mining and electricity production
| Population | 2,217 |
| Coordinates | 45.8841600, -106.6236400 |
| Altitude | 982 |
| Country | United States |
End: Colstrip (-106.62364, 45.88416)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 588 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 12h 10m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 09h 07m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 07h 18m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 06h 05m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 13m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 33m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.89 | $50.18 | $100.36 |
| Mid-grade | $4.23 | $54.54 | $109.08 |
| Premium | $4.55 | $58.64 | $117.27 |
| Diesel | $5.41 | $69.76 | $139.52 |
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 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.