How far is Livingston, MT from Helena, MT?

The driving distance from Livingston, MT to Helena, MT is about 122.9 miles (197.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 03m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 95.5 miles (153.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 06m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
122.93 mi
02h 03m
Flight
95.5 mi
153.69 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Livingston.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
95.5 mi
Kilometers
153.69 km
Flight Time
00h 11m

Driving Distance

Road route
122.93 mi
Kilometers
197.84 km
Drive Time
02h 03m

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 02h 03m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Helena
Thu, Apr 30, 10:14 PM MDT
Return by in Livingston
Fri, May 1, 12:17 AM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Livingston
2026-04-30T20:11
Arrive Helena
Thu, Apr 30, 10:14 PM MDT
Route Timing
02h 03m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:03 AM to 12:03 PM MDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
2:24 PM MDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Livingston
9:30 PM MDT
Morning start is best

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
Three Forks
MT

City in Gallatin County, Montana, United States

From Livingston
61.4 mi
01h 01m
To Helena
61.5 mi
01h 01m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
58°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 30 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
2 to 9 mph NW
Destination
58°F
Thursday

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Apr 30 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
2 to 7 mph N

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Livingston and Helena.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Livingston and Helena.

  1. 1

    Start on East Park Street

    2244 ft · 1 min · East Park Street

  2. 2

    Turn right

    2.3 mi · 4 min

  3. 3

    Take the ramp right

    1169 ft · 28 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    55.3 mi · 56 min

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward US 287: Helena, Ennis

    1498 ft · 37 sec

  6. 6

    Turn right onto Highway 287

    63.5 mi · 1 hr 14 min · Highway 287

  7. 7

    Turn left onto North Montana Avenue

    146 m · 18 sec · North Montana Avenue

  8. 8

    Turn right onto 11th Avenue

    1.3 km · 2 min · 11th Avenue

  9. 9

    Turn right onto Cruse Avenue

    50 m · 6 sec · Cruse Avenue

  10. 10

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Cruse Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Livingston and Helena.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
10 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
3
1 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
8.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Highway 287
63.5 mi · 52%
East Park Street
56 mi · 46%
11th Avenue
0.79 mi · 1%
US 287
0.28 mi
North Montana Avenue
0.09 mi
Cruse Avenue
0.03 mi
Longest Stretch

Highway 287

Turn right onto Highway 287

63.5 mi · 01h 14m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 03m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 06m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+27.4 mi
95.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Three Forks
01h 01m from Livingston
Leave By
2:24 PM MDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Livingston and Sunny near Helena.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Livingston to Helena?

The road trip is about 122.9 miles (197.8 km) and usually takes 02h 03m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Three Forks is a useful midpoint, sitting about 61.4 miles from Livingston and 61.5 miles from Helena.

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

The direct path is about 95.5 miles (153.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 27.4 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 2:24 PM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.90 one way or $33.79 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 38.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Livingston and Sunny near Helena.

Stop Ideas Near Three Forks

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Three Forks, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Three Forks.

BUS

Bozeman, MT

32 mi away
6505 Jack Rabbit Lane
BUS

Butte, MT

76 mi away
1324 Harrison Avenue
BUS

Livingston, MT

82 mi away
1404 East Park Street \r\n

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Livingston and Helena. Straight-line distance: 95.5 mi (153.69 km).

Livingston

#1 Livingston

City and the county seat of Park County, Montana, United States

Population7,898
Coordinates45.6624400, -110.5610400
Altitude1372
CountryUnited States
Helena

#2 Helena

State capital of Montana, United States and seat of Lewis and Clark County

Population33,737
Coordinates46.5927100, -112.0361100
Altitude1237
CountryUnited States
Start: East Park Street (-110.561034, 45.662483)
End: Cruse Avenue (-112.036062, 46.592722)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 198 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 05m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 04m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 27m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 02m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 45m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 32m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.34 gal
16.42 L · about $16.90
Round trip
$33.79
8.68 gal · 32.84 L
Estimated CO2
38.6 kg one way
Round trip: 77.1 kg / 170 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.89 $16.90 $33.79
Mid-grade $4.23 $18.36 $36.73
Premium $4.55 $19.74 $39.49
Diesel $5.41 $23.49 $46.98

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 · May 01, 2026

There is no time difference between Livingston and Helena. The current time is 20:11:05.

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.