Park City to Havre Road Trip: Complete Guide

This route climbs from the Wasatch Range at 7,000 feet to the High Line plains of Montana, crossing the Continental Divide twice. The stretch of I-15 through Idaho Falls carries more livestock trucks than any other interstate in the region—a fact you'll notice by the lingering scent of hay and diesel. The journey covers roughly 600 miles, about 9 hours of pure driving, but you'll want a full day to explore.

Before you set out, check out our guide on how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities. It pairs perfectly with this itinerary.

The primary route is I-15 north from Park City through Idaho Falls, then I-15 to Butte, transitioning to US-2 and US-87 east to Havre. Avoid US-191 north of Malta in winter—it's prone to drifting snow. Estimated driving time is 9 hours, but plan for 10-11 with stops.

Fuel stops are abundant every 30-40 miles until Malta, MT, then sparse—fill up in Malta. Gas prices typically increase by $0.20/gallon crossing into Montana. Budget $80-100 for fuel for the whole trip. Tolls: I-15 has no tolls between Utah and Montana.

• Key fuel stops: Idaho Falls (multiple stations), Butte (costco), Malta (last reliable)
• Check road conditions at MDT.mt.gov before Montana segments.

I-15 is well-maintained, but watch for deer and antelope between midnight and 6am. The speed limit drops to 65 mph through construction zones near Dillon. Mountain passes like Monida (7,300 ft) can have black ice even in summer.

Best stop for families: The Idaho Falls Zoo (Tautphaus Park) has a petting area. For pet-friendly breaks, the rest area at mile 53 north of Lima, MT has a fenced dog run.

• Fatigue management: Pull over at the Dubois rest stop (mile 176) for a 20-min nap in the quiet room.
• Hidden off-route spot: The ghost town of Bannack (20 miles west of Dillon) is a well-preserved 1860s mining camp.

From the red-rock canyons of Utah to the sagebrush steppe of Idaho, the landscape transforms dramatically. Near Dillon, MT, the Beaverhead Mountains rise abruptly—a sight that rewards early morning drives. The longest tunnel on the route is the 1.1-mile Monida Pass tunnel at the Montana border.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites: While none directly on the route, Yellowstone National Park is a 90-minute detour from Idaho Falls. Consider a side trip to the Old Faithful geyser basin.

• Best photo stop: Clark Canyon Reservoir overlook (mile marker 44 on I-15)
• Local commerce: Buy huckleberry products in Butte (at the World Museum of Mining gift shop)

Culinary Infrastructure: Idaho Falls has the best farm-to-table options—try the Snake River Grill for trout. Butte offers pasties (Cornish meat pies) at the Pekin Noodle Parlor. In Havre, the only sit-down restaurant is the Great Northern Steakhouse (open 5-9pm).