How far is Helena, MT from Manhattan, MT?

The driving distance from Helena, MT to Manhattan, MT is about 79 miles (127.2 km), with a travel time of about 01h 31m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 61 miles (98.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 03m 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
79.03 mi
01h 31m
Flight
60.98 mi
98.13 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Helena.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
60.98 mi
Kilometers
98.13 km
Flight Time
00h 07m

Driving Distance

Road route
79.03 mi
Kilometers
127.18 km
Drive Time
01h 31m

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 31m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Manhattan
Thu, Apr 23, 2:41 AM MDT
Return by in Helena
Thu, Apr 23, 4:13 AM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Helena
2026-04-23T01:09
Arrive Manhattan
Thu, Apr 23, 2:41 AM MDT
Route Timing
01h 31m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:32 AM to 11:32 AM MDT

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

Leave by
3:26 PM MDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Helena
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
Townsend
MT

City in Montana, USA

From Helena
39.5 mi
00h 45m
To Manhattan
39.6 mi
00h 45m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
40°F
Thursday

Light Snow

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
16 mph NNW
Destination
43°F
Thursday

Rain And Snow

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
14 to 17 mph NNW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Cruse Avenue

    50 m · 8 sec · Cruse Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn left onto 11th Avenue

    1.4 mi · 4 min · 11th Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn straight onto Prospect Avenue

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Prospect Avenue

  4. 4

    Continue straight

    3.6 mi · 5 min

  5. 5

    Continue straight

    1678 ft · 26 sec

  6. 6

    Continue straight

    30.2 mi · 34 min

  7. 7

    Continue straight

    2.3 mi · 2 min

  8. 8

    Continue straight

    1.2 mi · 1 min

  9. 9

    Continue straight

    1.4 mi · 2 min

  10. 10

    Continue straight

    22.7 mi · 24 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit left toward I 90 East: Billings

    1372 ft · 34 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left

    13.4 mi · 13 min

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward MT 346, MT 288: Manhattan, Amsterdam

    1313 ft · 39 sec

  14. 14

    Turn left onto Churchill Road

    1607 ft · 27 sec · Churchill Road

  15. 15

    Continue on Broadway Street South

    1659 ft · 31 sec · Broadway Street South

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Broadway Street South

Car Route Details

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

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
16 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
20.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Prospect Avenue
63 mi · 80%
I 90 East
13.7 mi · 17%
11th Avenue
1.44 mi · 2%
Broadway Street South
0.31 mi
Churchill Road
0.3 mi
MT 346
0.25 mi
Longest Stretch

Prospect Avenue

Continue straight

30.2 mi · 00h 34m

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 31m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
03h 04m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+18 mi
61 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Townsend
00h 45m from Helena
Leave By
3:26 PM MDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Light Snow leaving Helena and Rain And Snow near Manhattan.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 79 miles (127.2 km) and usually takes 01h 31m 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?

Townsend is a useful midpoint, sitting about 39.5 miles from Helena and 39.6 miles from Manhattan.

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

The direct path is about 61 miles (98.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 18 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 3:26 PM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.86 one way or $21.72 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 24.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Light Snow around Helena and Rain And Snow near Manhattan.

Stop Ideas Near Townsend

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Townsend, 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 Townsend.

BUS

Bozeman, MT

67 mi away
6505 Jack Rabbit Lane
BUS

Butte, MT

85 mi away
1324 Harrison Avenue
BUS

Livingston, MT

104 mi away
1404 East Park Street \r\n

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Helena and Manhattan. Straight-line distance: 60.98 mi (98.13 km).

Helena

#1 Helena

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

Population33,737
Coordinates46.5927100, -112.0361100
Altitude1237
CountryUnited States
Manhattan

#2 Manhattan

Town in Montana

Population1,917
Coordinates45.8566000, -111.3324600
Altitude1294
CountryUnited States
Start: Helena (-112.03611, 46.59271)
End: Manhattan (-111.33246, 45.8566)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 127 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 37m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 58m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 34m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 19m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 07m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 59m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.79 gal
10.56 L · about $10.86
Round trip
$21.72
5.58 gal · 21.12 L
Estimated CO2
24.8 kg one way
Round trip: 49.6 kg / 109 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.89 $10.86 $21.72
Mid-grade $4.23 $11.80 $23.61
Premium $4.55 $12.69 $25.38
Diesel $5.41 $15.10 $30.20

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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Helena and Manhattan. The current time is 01:09:50.

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.