How far is Laurel, MT from Shelby, MT?
The driving distance from Laurel, MT to Shelby, MT is about 315.6 miles (507.9 km), with a travel time of about 05h 46m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 243.8 miles (392.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 33m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 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 05h 46m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
City in Judith Basin County, Montana, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain And Snow Showers
Chance Snow Showers And Patchy Blowing Snow
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Laurel and Shelby.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Laurel and Shelby.
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1
Start on South 1st Avenue
1 km · 56 sec · South 1st Avenue
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2
Turn left
9 mi · 11 min
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3
Take the exit slight right toward Zoo Drive
2043 ft · 50 sec
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4
Turn left onto Zoo Drive
1.4 km · 2 min · Zoo Drive
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5
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward South Shiloh Road
4 m · 1 sec · South Shiloh Road
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6
Exit the roundabout onto South Shiloh Road
1552 ft · 31 sec · South Shiloh Road
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7
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward South Shiloh Road
42 m · 3 sec · South Shiloh Road
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8
Exit the roundabout onto South Shiloh Road
2553 ft · 51 sec · South Shiloh Road
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9
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward South Shiloh Road
32 m · 2 sec · South Shiloh Road
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10
Exit the roundabout onto South Shiloh Road
2534 ft · 51 sec · South Shiloh Road
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11
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward South Shiloh Road
53 m · 3 sec · South Shiloh Road
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12
Exit the roundabout onto South Shiloh Road
2573 ft · 43 sec · South Shiloh Road
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13
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward South Shiloh Road
27 m · 2 sec · South Shiloh Road
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14
Exit the roundabout onto South Shiloh Road
2542 ft · 43 sec · South Shiloh Road
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15
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Shiloh Road
43 m · 2 sec · Shiloh Road
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16
Exit the roundabout onto Shiloh Road
2564 ft · 43 sec · Shiloh Road
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17
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Shiloh Road
33 m · 2 sec · Shiloh Road
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18
Exit the roundabout onto Shiloh Road
2545 ft · 43 sec · Shiloh Road
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19
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Shiloh Road
39 m · 2 sec · Shiloh Road
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20
Exit the roundabout onto Shiloh Road
1.6 km · 2 min · Shiloh Road
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21
Turn right onto Rimrock Road
1.2 km · 1 min · Rimrock Road
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22
Turn left onto Zimmerman Trail
1.6 km · 1 min · Zimmerman Trail
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23
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward the route
76 m · 4 sec
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24
Exit the roundabout
25.5 mi · 29 min
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25
Continue on Iowa Avenue
2.5 mi · 3 min · Iowa Avenue
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26
Continue straight
12.4 mi · 14 min
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27
At the end of the road, turn left
45.1 mi · 51 min
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28
Turn right
39.2 mi · 43 min
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29
At the end of the road, turn left
64.3 mi · 1 hr 10 min
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30
Turn slight right
1588 ft · 21 sec
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31
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
52 m · 2 sec
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32
Exit the roundabout
557 ft · 7 sec
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33
Continue straight
19.3 mi · 21 min
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34
Turn right onto 57th Street South
1.5 km · 1 min · 57th Street South
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35
Turn left onto 2nd Avenue North
4.3 mi · 8 min · 2nd Avenue North
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36
At the end of the road, turn left onto Park Drive North
73 m · 4 sec · Park Drive North
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37
Turn right onto 1st Avenue North
1070 ft · 24 sec · 1st Avenue North
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38
Continue on First Avenue North Bridge
1045 ft · 18 sec · First Avenue North Bridge
-
39
Continue on Central Avenue West
1.4 mi · 2 min · Central Avenue West
-
40
Take the exit right
1311 ft · 32 sec
-
41
Merge slight left onto First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
81.2 mi · 1 hr 17 min · First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
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42
Take the exit slight right toward I 15 BUS, US 2: Shelby, Cut Bank
1483 ft · 36 sec
-
43
Continue on West Roosevelt Highway
1.2 km · 2 min · West Roosevelt Highway
-
44
Continue on 5th Avenue North
138 m · 17 sec · 5th Avenue North
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45
Turn left onto Main Street
1177 ft · 42 sec · Main Street
-
46
Turn right onto Maple Avenue
25 m · 4 sec · Maple Avenue
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47
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Maple Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Laurel and Shelby.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
Merge slight left onto First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
81.2 mi · 01h 17m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Rain And Snow Showers leaving Laurel and Chance Snow Showers And Patchy Blowing Snow near Shelby.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Laurel to Shelby?
The road trip is about 315.6 miles (507.9 km) and usually takes 05h 46m 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?
Hobson is a useful midpoint, sitting about 157.6 miles from Laurel and 158 miles from Shelby.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 243.8 miles (392.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 71.8 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 5:26 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $43.33 one way or $86.66 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 98.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain And Snow Showers around Laurel and Chance Snow Showers And Patchy Blowing Snow near Shelby.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Laurel and Shelby. Straight-line distance: 243.82 mi (392.39 km).
#1 Laurel
City in Yellowstone County, Montana, USA
| Population | 6,715 |
| Coordinates | 45.6691200, -108.7715300 |
| Altitude | 1006 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Shelby
City in and the county seat of Toole County, Montana, United States
| Population | 2,995 |
| Coordinates | 48.5052600, -111.8569700 |
| Altitude | 1005 |
| Country | United States |
End: Shelby (-111.85697, 48.50526)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 508 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 30m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 53m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 18m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 15m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 30m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 56m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.89 | $43.33 | $86.66 |
| Mid-grade | $4.23 | $47.09 | $94.18 |
| Premium | $4.55 | $50.63 | $101.26 |
| Diesel | $5.41 | $60.24 | $120.47 |
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 16, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.