How far is Shelby, MT from Laurel, MT?
The driving distance from Shelby, MT to Laurel, MT is about 328.2 miles (528.2 km), with a travel time of about 05h 21m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 243.8 miles (392.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 43m 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 21m.
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.
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Shelby and Laurel.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Shelby and Laurel.
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1
Start on Maple Avenue
25 m · 9 sec · Maple Avenue
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2
Turn left onto Main Street
1177 ft · 40 sec · Main Street
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3
Turn right onto 5th Avenue North
138 m · 17 sec · 5th Avenue North
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4
Continue on West Roosevelt Highway
1.6 km · 2 min · West Roosevelt Highway
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5
Turn left onto I 15 South: Great Falls
1707 ft · 41 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
81.2 mi · 1 hr 16 min · First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward I 15 Business
1262 ft · 31 sec
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8
Turn left onto Central Avenue West
1.5 mi · 2 min · Central Avenue West
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9
Continue on First Avenue North Bridge
1055 ft · 18 sec · First Avenue North Bridge
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10
Continue on 1st Avenue North
1.2 mi · 2 min · 1st Avenue North
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11
Turn right onto 14th Street North
1.3 km · 1 min · 14th Street North
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12
Turn left onto 10th Avenue South
22.6 mi · 25 min · 10th Avenue South
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13
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
68 m · 3 sec
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14
Exit the roundabout
1606 ft · 21 sec
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15
Turn straight
64.3 mi · 1 hr 10 min
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16
Turn right
39.2 mi · 43 min
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17
Turn left
45.1 mi · 51 min
-
18
Turn right
12.4 mi · 14 min
-
19
Continue straight
2.5 mi · 3 min
-
20
Continue straight
25.5 mi · 29 min
-
21
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Zimmerman Trail
10 m · 1 sec · Zimmerman Trail
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22
Exit the roundabout onto Zimmerman Trail
2.5 mi · 4 min · Zimmerman Trail
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23
Continue on 32nd Street West
2.2 mi · 4 min · 32nd Street West
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24
Turn right onto Gabel Road
1 mi · 2 min · Gabel Road
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25
Turn left onto Zoo Drive
1856 ft · 39 sec · Zoo Drive
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26
Take the ramp right
1985 ft · 48 sec
-
27
Merge slight left
8.7 mi · 10 min
-
28
Take the exit slight right toward US 212, US 310: Laurel, Red Lodge
1844 ft · 49 sec
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29
Turn right
1949 ft · 35 sec
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30
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South 1st Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Shelby and Laurel.
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 16m
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 Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Shelby and Mostly Cloudy near Laurel.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Shelby to Laurel?
The road trip is about 328.2 miles (528.2 km) and usually takes 05h 21m 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 157.1 miles from Shelby and 171 miles from Laurel.
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 84.4 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 6:16 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $45.08 one way or $90.16 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 102.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers around Shelby and Mostly Cloudy near Laurel.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Shelby and Laurel. Straight-line distance: 243.82 mi (392.39 km).
#1 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 |
#2 Laurel
City in Yellowstone County, Montana, USA
| Population | 6,715 |
| Coordinates | 45.6691200, -108.7715300 |
| Altitude | 1006 |
| Country | United States |
End: South 1st Avenue (-108.771477, 45.669116)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 528 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 56m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 12m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 33m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 28m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 41m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 05m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.89 | $45.08 | $90.16 |
| Mid-grade | $4.23 | $48.99 | $97.99 |
| Premium | $4.55 | $52.68 | $105.35 |
| Diesel | $5.41 | $62.67 | $125.34 |
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.