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Create accountDrive Time
1h 3m
Distance
60.5 mi
97 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
EV Charging
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station data
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
Bozeman, MT
John De Leon
If you are planning to travel between Big Timber and Bozeman, you are looking at a quick and straightforward 60.5-mile journey through the Mountain West. Clocking in at approximately 1 hour and 3 minutes, this stretch is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, requiring no overnight stays. You can expect to spend roughly $10 on fuel for the entire drive, making it a very budget-friendly transit. By utilizing I-90 as your primary artery, you will transition smoothly between these two Montana hubs. Because the route is so efficient, it offers immense flexibility for your schedule, whether you are commuting or just passing through. It is a practical, no-nonsense connection that gets you from point A to point B without any unnecessary complexity.
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
30.3 miles from Big Timber, MT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 30m into the drive .
This trip is heavily focused on highway travel, with 89% of your time spent on high-speed thoroughfares. You will spend the vast majority of your journey on I-90, which features a long, uninterrupted stretch of 53.7 miles. The drive transitions from the open interstate onto the Frontage Road and finally East Main Street as you arrive at your destination. You can expect a consistent, highway-focused pace that favors efficiency over technical maneuvering. It is a predictable, steady drive that allows you to cover the distance quickly while maintaining a steady speed.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and Frontage Road. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near I 90 Business; US 191 / West 1st Avenue.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 1h 3m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (I 90 Business; US 191 / West 1st Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 1 miles (I 90 Business; US 191): Navigation decision point; at 55.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto I 90 Business; US 191 / West 1st Avenue
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto I 90 Business; US 191
Navigation decision point
Take the exit toward Bear Canyon Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Turn right onto Moffit Gulch Road
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto North Willson Avenue
Navigation decision point
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 53.7 mi | 51m |
| Frontage Road | 3.6 mi | 4m |
| East Main Street | 1.6 mi | 4m |
| Big Timber Loop Road | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| I 90 Business | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| West 1st Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| North Willson Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| Moffit Gulch Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Big Timber, MT and Bozeman, MT.
Start on McLeod Street
Turn right onto I 90 Business; US 191
Continue on I 90 Business; US 191
Turn left onto I 90 Business; US 191
Take the ramp onto I 90 Business; US 191
Merge onto I 90; US 191
Continue on I 90; US 89; US 191
Continue on I 90; US 191
Take the exit
Turn right onto Moffit Gulch Road
Turn left onto Frontage Road
Continue on East Main Street
Turn right onto North Willson Avenue
Arrive at destination
Since this is a short trip, you have the advantage of total flexibility regarding your departure time. You won't need to worry about complex pacing or multi-day logistics, as the entire route is easily manageable in one go. Keep in mind that while the drive is quick, I-90 remains the backbone of the trip, so stay alert for standard interstate traffic patterns. Ensure you have your $10 fuel budget accounted for before you head out, as there is little reason to stop once you are underway. A helpful tip for this specific route is to stay mindful of your transition from the high-speed interstate onto East Main Street, as the shift in pace and road type happens quickly as you enter Bozeman.
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.
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 60.5 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 30.3 miles or 30m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bozeman, MT than in the middle of the route.
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 60.5 miles and 1h 3m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 30.3 mi from Big Timber, MT · 30m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
30 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.
A short stop after about 60.5 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 30.3 miles from Big Timber, MT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Bozeman, 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 Bozeman, MT.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$9.59 one way
$19.17 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.23 | $10.08 | $20.16 |
| premium | $4.53 | $10.79 | $21.58 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $13.44 | $26.88 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$35–$60
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 21.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 18.2 | 0 | $6.35 | $2.90 |
| Efficient EV | 15.1 | 0 | $5.29 | $2.42 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 24.2 | 0 | $8.47 | $3.87 |
Gas CO2
21 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (67% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Big Timber on Sunday
Local time
7:31 PM
MDT
Current temp
42°F
Mostly Cloudy
Destination
Evening in Bozeman on Sunday
Local time
7:31 PM
MDT
Current temp
38°F
Partly Cloudy
Along the Route
32°F
Livingston, MT
30 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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