How far is Laurel, MT from Columbia Falls, MT?
The driving distance from Laurel, MT to Columbia Falls, MT is about 441.8 miles (711 km), with a travel time of about 06h 58m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 315.8 miles (508.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 13h 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 06h 58m.
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 of the United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Laurel and Columbia Falls.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Laurel and Columbia Falls.
-
1
Start on South 1st Avenue
1959 ft · 38 sec · South 1st Avenue
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2
Turn left
1160 ft · 30 sec
-
3
Merge slight left
214.3 mi · 3 hr 31 min
-
4
Keep slight left to continue on I 90 West: Missoula
42.6 mi · 40 min
-
5
Take the exit slight right toward US 12 East: Helena, Garrison
1.2 mi · 2 min
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6
At the end of the road, turn right
12.9 mi · 14 min
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7
Turn sharp left
32.5 mi · 35 min
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8
At the end of the road, turn left
23.8 mi · 26 min
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9
Turn right
91.1 mi · 1 hr 44 min
-
10
At the end of the road, turn right
11.4 mi · 13 min
-
11
Continue straight
61 m · 7 sec
-
12
Turn right
9.7 mi · 12 min
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13
At the end of the road, turn left onto US 2
1.3 mi · 2 min · US 2
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14
Continue on 9th Street
1603 ft · 53 sec · 9th Street
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15
Turn right onto Nucleus Avenue
784 ft · 32 sec · Nucleus Avenue
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16
Turn left onto 7th Street West
31 m · 4 sec · 7th Street West
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 7th Street West
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Laurel and Columbia Falls.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
South 1st Avenue
Merge slight left
214 mi · 03h 31m
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.
Sunny leaving Laurel and Mostly Sunny near Columbia Falls.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Laurel to Columbia Falls?
The road trip is about 441.8 miles (711 km) and usually takes 06h 58m 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?
Walkerville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 220.6 miles from Laurel and 221.1 miles from Columbia Falls.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 315.8 miles (508.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 126 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 $60.69 one way or $121.38 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 138.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Laurel and Mostly Sunny near Columbia Falls.
Stop Ideas Near Walkerville
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 Walkerville.
Butte, MT
Bozeman, MT
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Laurel and Columbia Falls. Straight-line distance: 315.82 mi (508.27 km).
#1 Laurel
City in Yellowstone County, Montana, USA
| Population | 6,715 |
| Coordinates | 45.6691200, -108.7715300 |
| Altitude | 1006 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Columbia Falls
Town in Montana, United States
| Population | 6,209 |
| Coordinates | 48.3724600, -114.1815200 |
| Altitude | 941 |
| Country | United States |
End: 7th Street West (-114.18152, 48.372459)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 711 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 14h 43m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 11h 02m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 08h 50m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 07h 21m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 06h 18m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 05h 30m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.89 | $60.69 | $121.38 |
| Mid-grade | $4.23 | $65.96 | $131.92 |
| Premium | $4.55 | $70.92 | $141.84 |
| Diesel | $5.41 | $84.37 | $168.75 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.