Origin
Big Timber, MT
Evening in Big Timber on Sunday
Local time
7:44 PM
MDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Big Timber, MT to Billings, MT
Drive Time
1h 17m
Distance
81.3 mi
131 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 11m
★
6 AM
1h 17m
8 AM
1h 29m
10 AM
1h 21m
12 PM
1h 20m
3 PM
1h 22m
5 PM
1h 29m
8 PM
1h 14m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Big Timber, MT
John De Leon
Billings, MT
John De Leon
Trip Overview
Spanning 81.3 miles of Montana’s Mountain West, this trip from Big Timber to Billings is a straightforward journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 17 minutes. Because the duration is quite short, you can easily complete this drive in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $11 on fuel for the trip, making it a budget-friendly option for your itinerary. You will navigate primarily via East 1st Avenue, Big Timber Loop Road, and MT 3 rather than relying on major interstates. It is an ideal route if you prefer local roads over high-speed travel, offering a practical way to connect these two Montana communities.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
40.6 miles from Big Timber, MT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 38m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate grind, as this entire route consists of local roads with 0% highway share. You won't encounter any long, uninterrupted stretches, as the road requires your full attention throughout the 81.3-mile distance. Navigating via East 1st Avenue and MT 3 means you should be prepared for more frequent adjustments behind the wheel compared to a standard highway haul. The character of the drive is defined by its regional, local feel, ensuring you stay engaged with the road from start to finish. It is a practical alternative for drivers who want to avoid the pressures of high-speed traffic.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 8 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
East 1st Avenue is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Big Timber, MT to Billings, MT is easy. At 1h 17m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Big Timber, MT to Billings, MT is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East 1st Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Big Timber Loop Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| MT 3 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Montana Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
East 1st Avenue
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Big Timber, MT and Billings, MT.
1
Start on McLeod Street
16 ft
·
6 sec
·
McLeod Street
2
Turn left onto East 1st Avenue
0.2 mi
·
39 sec
·
East 1st Avenue
3
Keep slight right to continue on Big Timber Loop Road
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Big Timber Loop Road
4
Take the ramp left
79 mi
·
1 hr 21 min
5
Take the exit slight right toward MT 3
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
MT 3
6
Turn left
1.3 mi
·
2 min
7
Turn right onto Montana Avenue
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
Montana Avenue
8
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since the total drive time is just over an hour, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time based on your personal schedule. You don't need to worry about pacing stops, as the trip is short enough to drive straight through without scheduled breaks. Make sure your vehicle is fueled up before you leave, as the $11 estimated cost is based on a direct, efficient run between the two points. Because this route relies on MT 3 and local connectors, keep a close eye on your navigation to ensure you remain on the correct path through the turns. Treat this as a quick, efficient connection rather than a multi-day expedition, allowing you to maximize your time once you arrive in Billings.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 40.6 miles from Big Timber, MT, or about 38m into the drive.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 80 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 40.6 miles or 38m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Billings, MT than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Big Timber, MT so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Big Timber, MT
This is one driving day of about 81.3 miles and 1h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Big Timber, MT.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 40.6 mi from Big Timber, MT · 38m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
41 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 40.6 miles from Big Timber, MT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Billings, MT
The final approach into Billings, MT usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Billings, MT.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.88 one way
$25.77 round trip
$4.03/gal
25.4 MPG avg
28 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.23 | $13.54 | $27.09 |
| premium | $4.53 | $14.50 | $28.99 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $18.06 | $36.12 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 24.4 | 0 | $8.54 | $3.90 |
| Efficient EV | 20.3 | 0 | $7.11 | $3.25 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 32.5 | 0 | $11.38 | $5.20 |
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (64% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Billings, MT
Evening in Billings on Sunday
Local time
7:44 PM
MDT
Current temp
40°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
32°F
Powell, WY
41 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
9 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
1h 17m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Big Timber, MT to Billings, MT covers 81.3 miles and takes about 1h 17m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are East 1st Avenue, Big Timber Loop Road, MT 3. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 40.6 miles from Big Timber, MT. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.88 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
The drive from Big Timber, MT to Billings, MT is easy. At 1h 17m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Big Timber, MT to Billings, MT is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Big Timber, MT to Billings, MT does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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