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Flesher Pass: Highway 279, Continental Divide, Montana
Photo: Forest Service Northern Region · Public domain

Drives Montana Helena, Great Falls and Central Montana

Flesher Pass: Highway 279

MT 279, Lincoln Road · Helena → Highway 200

Leisurely36 mi55 min2,800 ft climbHigh point ≈ 6,100 ftOne way
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The drive

Montana Highway 279 starts on Lincoln Road West on the north edge of Helena, crosses the valley and goes over Flesher Pass to Highway 200 east of Lincoln. The first part is open valley. Then the road winds up through forest to the pass and down the other side.

Highway 279 is 39 miles in all from Helena to Highway 200 near Flesher Pass.

At Highway 200, Lincoln is a few miles west and Rogers Pass is east.

Along the way

  1. Helena (Lincoln Road West)
  2. Flesher Pass
  3. Highway 200 (near Lincoln)
Elevation
2,800 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 6,100 ft
HelenaHighway 200
Curves
Mostly gentle, with one twisty stretch
HelenaHighway 200
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • MDT does not list Highway 279 as seasonally closed; it is plowed in winter.
  • Check Montana 511 for winter conditions on the pass.

Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check Montana 511 (MDT).

Questions about this drive

How long does Flesher Pass Highway 279 take?

Highway 279 from Helena to Highway 200 is 36 miles and takes about 55 minutes.

Is Flesher Pass open in winter?

Yes. It is plowed in winter and is not on MDT's seasonally closed list.

Where does Highway 279 end?

It ends at Highway 200 near Flesher Pass, east of Lincoln.

What you get in the app

Turn by turn, on this roadSpoken directions along the exact route. Carve never reroutes you onto a faster one.
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Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

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Map of Flesher Pass: Highway 279, from Helena to Highway 200