How far is Lewistown, MT from Helena, MT?
The driving distance from Lewistown, MT to Helena, MT is about 194.3 miles (312.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 11m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 127.5 miles (205.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 23m 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 03h 11m.
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.
Town in Cascade County, Montana, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Chance Light Rain then Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Lewistown and Helena.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lewistown and Helena.
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1
Start on 6th Avenue South
121 m · 23 sec · 6th Avenue South
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2
Turn left onto West Main Street
1.3 km · 2 min · West Main Street
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3
Continue on US Highway 87
1.5 mi · 2 min · US Highway 87
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4
At the end of the road, turn left onto US Highway 87
14.7 mi · 16 min · US Highway 87
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5
Continue straight
64.3 mi · 1 hr 10 min
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6
Turn slight right
1588 ft · 21 sec
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7
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
52 m · 2 sec
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8
Exit the roundabout
557 ft · 7 sec
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9
Continue straight
24 mi · 31 min
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10
Continue on Country Club Boulevard
1.3 mi · 2 min · Country Club Boulevard
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11
Keep slight left
1.2 km · 2 min
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12
Merge slight left onto First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
84.5 mi · 1 hr 21 min · First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
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13
Take the exit slight right toward I 15 Business
1393 ft · 35 sec
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14
At the end of the road, turn right onto Cedar Street
2855 ft · 1 min · Cedar Street
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15
Continue on North Last Chance Gulch Street
1.2 mi · 3 min · North Last Chance Gulch Street
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16
Turn slight left onto Cruse Avenue
31 m · 4 sec · Cruse Avenue
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Cruse Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Lewistown and Helena.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
Merge slight left onto First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
84.5 mi · 01h 21m
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.
Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Lewistown and Chance Light Rain then Showers And Thunderstorms near Helena.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Lewistown to Helena?
The road trip is about 194.3 miles (312.7 km) and usually takes 03h 11m 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?
Great Falls is a useful midpoint, sitting about 97 miles from Lewistown and 97.3 miles from Helena.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 127.5 miles (205.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 66.8 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 10:36 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.71 one way or $53.41 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 61 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Lewistown and Chance Light Rain then Showers And Thunderstorms near Helena.
Stop Ideas Near Great Falls
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Statue of Liberty Replica
The Great Falls Civic Center
Cascade County Treasurer
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Great Falls.
Shelby
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Lewistown and Helena. Straight-line distance: 127.47 mi (205.15 km).
#1 Lewistown
City in Montana, United States
| Population | 5,905 |
| Coordinates | 47.0624700, -109.4282400 |
| Altitude | 1203 |
| Country | United States |
#2 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 |
End: Cruse Avenue (-112.036062, 46.592722)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 313 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 28m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 51m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 53m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 14m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 46m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 25m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.89 | $26.71 | $53.41 |
| Mid-grade | $4.23 | $29.02 | $58.05 |
| Premium | $4.55 | $31.21 | $62.41 |
| Diesel | $5.41 | $37.13 | $74.25 |
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 22, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.