Trip from Billings, MT to Chinook, MT

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 10m

Distance

226.5 mi

365 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$36

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

4h 57m ★

6 AM

5h 10m

8 AM

5h 37m

10 AM

5h 20m

12 PM

5h 17m

3 PM

5h 21m

5 PM

5h 36m

8 PM

5h 2m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

Google Maps Waze Apple Maps

Download GPX

Trip Overview

The drive from Billings, MT to Chinook, MT covers 226.5 miles and takes about 5h 10m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on MT 66, Roundup Road, US 87 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 50 miles on MT 66. At current regular gas prices, budget about $35.89 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

113.3 miles from Billings, MT

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 29m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 10m. Total distance: 226.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (78%). Straightforward navigation.

Drive Character

This is a 5h 10m highway drive covering 226.5 miles, with most of the trip on MT 66 and Roundup Road. The longest continuous stretch is about 50 miles on MT 66.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

MT 66 is the longest continuous segment at about 50 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MT 66 and Roundup Road. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near I 90 Business / 1st Avenue North.

Driving Effort 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 5h 10m drive. You will face about 5 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (I 90 Business / 1st Avenue North): Navigation decision point; at 49.2 miles (US 12; US 87 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 151.6 miles (MT 66): Navigation decision point.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 5 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

4

0.5 mi into trip | ~1m in | I 90 Business / 1st Avenue North

At end of road, turn right onto I 90 Business / 1st Avenue North

Navigation decision point

3

49.2 mi into trip | ~57m in | US 12; US 87 / Main Street

Turn left onto US 12; US 87 / Main Street

Navigation decision point

3

151.6 mi into trip | ~3h 26m in | MT 66

Turn left onto MT 66

Navigation decision point

3

201.5 mi into trip | ~4h 40m in | US 2

Turn left onto US 2

Navigation decision point

4

226.2 mi into trip | ~5h 8m in | Indiana Street

Turn left onto Indiana Street

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
MT 66	50 mi	1h 14m
Roundup Road	44.4 mi	48m
US 87	44.4 mi	1h 2m
US 191	35.8 mi	53m
US 2	24.7 mi	28m
MT 19	21.5 mi	31m
Main Street	4.2 mi	6m
1st Avenue North	0.7 mi	1m

Longest stretch: MT 66 — 50 mi, about 1h 14m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Billings, MT and Chinook, MT.

1

Start on I 90 Business

0.5 mi · 1 min · Montana Avenue

2

Turn left onto I 90 Business

420 ft · 8 sec · North 18th Street

3

At end of road, turn right onto I 90 Business

0.7 mi · 1 min · 1st Avenue North

4

Continue on 1st Avenue North

403 ft · 9 sec · 1st Avenue North

5

Continue on US 87

3.5 mi · 5 min · Main Street

6

Turn slight left onto US 87

44 mi · 48 min · Roundup Road

7

Turn left onto US 12; US 87

0.7 mi · 1 min · Main Street

8

Turn slight left onto US 87

44 mi · 1 hr 2 min · US 87

9

Continue on MT 19

21 mi · 31 min · MT 19

10

Continue on US 191

36 mi · 53 min · US 191

11

Turn left onto MT 66

50 mi · 1 hr 14 min · MT 66

12

Turn left onto US 2

25 mi · 28 min · US 2

13

Turn left onto Indiana Street

0.3 mi · 1 min · Indiana Street

14

Arrive at destination

Indiana Street

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 113.3 miles from Billings, MT, or about 2h 29m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 50 miles.

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 50 miles or 58m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 113.3 miles or 2h 29m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 17m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Chinook, MT than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Billings, 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 Billings, MT

This is one driving day of about 226.5 miles and 5h 10m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 miles from Billings, MT.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on MT 66 for about 50 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 113.3 mi from Billings, MT · 2h 29m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Grass Range, MT

113 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

Roundup, MT

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 50 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Grass Range, MT

Meal break

The midpoint is around 113.3 miles from Billings, MT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Chinook, MT

The final approach into Chinook, 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 Chinook, MT.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

McCormick Cafe

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Billings, Montana

Near the start, right off the route

0 mi from route $10 to $20

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+14062559555

Visit website

Grand Bar and Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Roundup, Montana

0.6 mi

NaRa Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Billings, Montana

0.9 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Marble Coffee Co

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Billings, Montana

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $10 to $20

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+14063847764

Visit website

Bearded Bean Coffee Co

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Billings, Montana

0.5 mi

Black Dog Coffee House x 10th Ave

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Billings, Montana

0.9 mi

McCormick Cafe

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0 mi from route $10 to $20

Billings, Montana

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+14062559555

Visit website

Grand Bar and Restaurant

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 48.5

Roundup, Montana

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

NaRa Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Billings, Montana

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+14062458866

Visit website

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

Billings, Montana

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+14066967859

Black Dog Coffee House x 10th Ave

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10

Billings, Montana

Hours: 6:30 am–2 pm

+14062818550

Visit website

Coffee Corral

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 48.5

Roundup, Montana

Hours: 6:30 am–3 pm

+14063232739

Bull Mountain Brew

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10

Billings, Montana

Hours: 5:30 am–1 pm

Skyline Espresso

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10

Billings, Montana

Hours: 6:30 am–2 pm

+14065344629

Visit website

Rebel Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10

Billings, Montana

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+14066711891

1Ō5 Brewing

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour

Billings, Montana

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+14063846999

Visit website

Wise Wonders Science and Discovery Museum

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Billings, Montana

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+14067021280

Visit website

After Rage

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

Billings, Montana

Hours: 3:30–9 pm

+14063715114

Visit website

The Fat Straw

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour Inexpensiv mile 48.5

Roundup, Montana

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+14063201981

Visit website

DanWalt Botanical Gardens

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour

Billings, Montana

Hours: 9 am–5:30 pm

+14062484003

Visit website

The Grand Escape Room

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour

Billings, Montana

Hours: 11 am–8:30 pm

+14068608243

Visit website

Wrangler Bar & Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 97.1

Grass Range, Montana

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+14064282242

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$35.89 one way

$71.78 round trip

$4.03/gal 25.4 MPG avg 79 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.22	$37.62	$75.24
premium	$4.53	$40.40	$80.81
diesel	$5.61	$50.01	$100.02

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$36

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$61–$86

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 79.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	68	0	$23.78	$10.87
Efficient EV	56.6	0	$19.82	$9.06
EV Truck/SUV	90.6	1	$31.71	$14.50

Gas CO2

79 kg

EV CO2

27 kg (66% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Billings, MT

Morning in Billings on Saturday

Local time

7:33 AM

MDT

Current temp

74°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Chinook, MT

Morning in Chinook on Saturday

Local time

7:33 AM

MDT

Current temp

41°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

33 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

5h 10m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Billings, MT to Chinook, MT covers 226.5 miles and takes about 5h 10m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are MT 66, Roundup Road, US 87. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 113.3 miles from Billings, MT. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $35.89 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

This is a straightforward 5h 10m drive. You will face about 5 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (I 90 Business / 1st Avenue North): Navigation decision point; at 49.2 miles (US 12; US 87 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 151.6 miles (MT 66): Navigation decision point.

The route from Billings, MT to Chinook, MT does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Explore more options from Billings, MT or browse trips ending in Chinook, MT.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MT road trips.

Trip from Billings, MT to Chinook, MT

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Who Is This Route For?

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Chinook, MT

Nearby Places

McCormick Cafe

Marble Coffee Co

McCormick Cafe

Grand Bar and Restaurant

NaRa Restaurant

Stompin Grounds

The Backporch

Tippy cow cafe

Pizza Ranch

Pizza Hut

Marble Coffee Co

Bearded Bean Coffee Co

Black Dog Coffee House x 10th Ave

Coffee Corral

Bull Mountain Brew

Skyline Espresso

Rebel Coffee

1Ō5 Brewing

Wise Wonders Science and Discovery Museum

After Rage

The Fat Straw

DanWalt Botanical Gardens

The Grand Escape Room

Wrangler Bar & Cafe

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Billings, MT

Chinook, MT

Same local time

33 degrees cooler at arrival

5h 10m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the trip from Billings, MT to Chinook, MT?

What are the main roads on this route?

Is this a good same-day trip?

Where should I stop halfway?

How much does gas cost for this trip?

What is the best time to leave?

How many breaks should I plan?

How hard is the drive from Billings, MT to Chinook, MT?

Where does this route get tricky?

What towns show up on signs driving from Billings, MT to Chinook, MT?

How this page is built

Explore More

Continue From Chinook, MT

More from Billings, MT

More trips to Chinook, MT