How far is Laurel, MT from Polson, MT?

The driving distance from Laurel, MT to Polson, MT is about 397.2 miles (639.2 km), with a travel time of about 05h 53m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 291.2 miles (468.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 46m 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
397.16 mi
05h 53m
Flight
291.25 mi
468.72 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Laurel.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
291.25 mi
Kilometers
468.72 km
Flight Time
00h 35m

Driving Distance

Road route
397.16 mi
Kilometers
639.16 km
Drive Time
05h 53m

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 05h 53m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Polson
Thu, Apr 23, 4:29 AM MDT
Return by in Laurel
Thu, Apr 23, 10:22 AM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Laurel
2026-04-22T22:36
Arrive Polson
Thu, Apr 23, 4:29 AM MDT
Route Timing
05h 53m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:53 AM to 1:53 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
5:14 AM MDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Laurel
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
Butte
MT

Consolidated city-county in Montana, United States

From Laurel
198.3 mi
02h 56m
To Polson
198.8 mi
02h 56m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
77°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
8 to 26 mph SW
Destination
59°F
Wednesday

Chance Light Rain then Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
3 to 12 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Laurel and Polson.

  1. 1

    Start on South 1st Avenue

    1959 ft · 38 sec · South 1st Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn left

    1160 ft · 30 sec

  3. 3

    Merge slight left

    214.3 mi · 3 hr 31 min

  4. 4

    Keep slight left to continue on I 90 West: Missoula

    121.8 mi · 1 hr 57 min

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward US 93 North, MT 200 West: Kalispell

    1009 ft · 25 sec

  6. 6

    Keep slight right to continue on US 93 North, MT 200 West: Kalispell

    60.4 mi · 1 hr 15 min

  7. 7

    Turn left onto Main Street

    94 m · 6 sec · Main Street

  8. 8

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Main Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Long-distance drive

This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.

Directions
8 steps
2 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
2
1 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
South 1st Avenue
215 mi · 54%
I 90 West
122 mi · 31%
US 93 North
60.6 mi · 15%
Main Street
0.06 mi
Longest Stretch

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.

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
05h 53m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
11h 46m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+106 mi
291.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Butte
02h 56m from Laurel
Leave By
5:14 AM MDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Laurel and Chance Light Rain then Showers And Thunderstorms near Polson.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Laurel to Polson?

The road trip is about 397.2 miles (639.2 km) and usually takes 05h 53m 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?

Butte is a useful midpoint, sitting about 198.3 miles from Laurel and 198.8 miles from Polson.

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

The direct path is about 291.2 miles (468.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 106 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 5:14 AM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $54.54 one way or $109.08 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 124.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Laurel and Chance Light Rain then Showers And Thunderstorms near Polson.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Laurel and Polson. Straight-line distance: 291.25 mi (468.72 km).

Laurel

#1 Laurel

City in Yellowstone County, Montana, USA

Population6,715
Coordinates45.6691200, -108.7715300
Altitude1006
CountryUnited States
Polson

#2 Polson

City in Lake County, Montana, United States

Population5,181
Coordinates47.6935500, -114.1631700
Altitude892
CountryUnited States
Start: South 1st Avenue (-108.771477, 45.669116)
End: Main Street (-114.163409, 47.69355)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 639 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)13h 13m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)09h 55m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)07h 56m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)06h 37m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)05h 40m
80 mph (129 km/h)04h 57m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
14.01 gal
53.05 L · about $54.54
Round trip
$109.08
28.02 gal · 106.1 L
Estimated CO2
124.5 kg one way
Round trip: 249 kg / 549 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.89 $54.54 $109.08
Mid-grade $4.23 $59.28 $118.55
Premium $4.55 $63.73 $127.46
Diesel $5.41 $75.82 $151.64

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 Laurel and Polson. The current time is 22:36:15.

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.