How far is Helena, MT from Plentywood, MT?
The driving distance from Helena, MT to Plentywood, MT is about 511.9 miles (823.9 km), with a travel time of about 09h 28m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 378.7 miles (609.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 18h 57m 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 09h 28m.
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.
Census designated place
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Light Rain then Showers And Thunderstorms
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Helena and Plentywood.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Helena and Plentywood.
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1
Start on Cruse Avenue
31 m · 6 sec · Cruse Avenue
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2
Turn slight right onto North Last Chance Gulch Street
1.1 mi · 3 min · North Last Chance Gulch Street
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3
Keep slight right to continue on North Last Chance Gulch Street
677 ft · 18 sec · North Last Chance Gulch Street
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4
Continue on Cedar Street
1.2 km · 2 min · Cedar Street
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5
Take the ramp slight right toward I 15 North: Great Falls
1119 ft · 27 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
86.7 mi · 1 hr 24 min · First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
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7
Take the exit slight right
1262 ft · 31 sec
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8
Keep slight right
70 m · 6 sec
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9
Merge slight left onto Central Avenue West
1.2 mi · 1 min · Central Avenue West
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10
Turn left onto 3rd Street Northwest
1.4 mi · 2 min · 3rd Street Northwest
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11
Continue on Smelter Avenue Northeast
2885 ft · 45 sec · Smelter Avenue Northeast
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12
Turn left onto Old Havre Highway
1.4 km · 1 min · Old Havre Highway
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13
Turn left onto 15th Street Northeast
107.3 mi · 1 hr 58 min · 15th Street Northeast
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14
Turn right
3.9 mi · 5 min
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15
Continue straight
228.4 mi · 4 hr 20 min
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16
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
36 m · 2 sec
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17
Exit the roundabout
2828 ft · 36 sec
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18
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
39 m · 2 sec
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19
Exit the roundabout
31.5 mi · 36 min
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20
Turn left onto 1st Avenue East
727 ft · 9 sec · 1st Avenue East
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21
Continue on Theodore Roosevelt Expressway
46.1 mi · 52 min · Theodore Roosevelt Expressway
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22
Continue on East 1st Avenue
1.3 km · 1 min · East 1st Avenue
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23
Turn left onto South Washington Street
64 m · 9 sec · South Washington Street
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Washington Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Helena and Plentywood.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
15th Street Northeast
Continue straight
228 mi · 04h 20m
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.
Chance Light Rain then Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Helena and Partly Sunny near Plentywood.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Helena to Plentywood?
The road trip is about 511.9 miles (823.9 km) and usually takes 09h 28m 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?
Fort Belknap Agency is a useful midpoint, sitting about 255.5 miles from Helena and 256.4 miles from Plentywood.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 378.7 miles (609.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 133.2 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 $70.31 one way or $140.62 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 160.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Light Rain then Showers And Thunderstorms around Helena and Partly Sunny near Plentywood.
Stop Ideas Near Fort Belknap Agency
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 Fort Belknap Agency.
Malta
Havre station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Helena and Plentywood. Straight-line distance: 378.71 mi (609.47 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 Plentywood
City in Sheridan County, Montana, United States
| Population | 1,712 |
| Coordinates | 48.7747500, -104.5624600 |
| Altitude | 624 |
| Country | United States |
End: Plentywood (-104.56246, 48.77475)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 824 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 17h 03m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 12h 47m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 10h 14m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 08h 31m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 07h 18m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 06h 23m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.89 | $70.31 | $140.62 |
| Mid-grade | $4.23 | $76.41 | $152.82 |
| Premium | $4.55 | $82.15 | $164.31 |
| Diesel | $5.41 | $97.74 | $195.48 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.