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Trip from Billings, MT to Choteau, MT

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

Drive Time

5h 7m

Distance

271.8 mi

437 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$43

one way

EV Charging

Fair

4 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min
4 AM
4h 54m ★
6 AM
5h 8m
8 AM
5h 35m
10 AM
5h 17m
12 PM
5h 15m
3 PM
5h 19m
5 PM
5h 34m
8 PM
5h 0m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in and county seat of Yellowstone County, Montana, United States

Billings, MT

Wikimedia Commons

city in and county seat of Teton County, Montana, United States

Choteau, MT

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Billings, MT to Choteau, MT covers 271.8 miles and takes about 5h 7m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on US 87, US 12, MT 3 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 83.6 miles on US 87. At current regular gas prices, budget about $43.07 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

135.9 miles from Billings, MT

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 34m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 7m. Total distance: 271.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (92%). Straightforward navigation.

Drive Character

This is a 5h 7m highway drive covering 271.8 miles, with most of the trip on US 87 and US 12. The longest continuous stretch is about 83.6 miles on US 87.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 31 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 87 is the longest continuous segment at about 83.6 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 87 and US 12. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 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 7m drive. You will face about 17 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (I 90 Business / 1st Avenue North): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles (MT 3 / North 27th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 46.2 miles (US 12; MT 3): Navigation decision point.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 17 key points

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

5
0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | I 90 Business / 1st Avenue North

Turn left onto I 90 Business / 1st Avenue North

Navigation decision point

6
0.5 mi into trip | ~1m in | MT 3 / North 27th Street

Turn right onto MT 3 / North 27th Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.
5
46.2 mi into trip | ~55m in | US 12; MT 3

At end of road, turn left onto US 12; MT 3

Navigation decision point

5
195.1 mi into trip | ~3h 38m in

Enter roundabout

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

5
219.7 mi into trip | ~4h 9m in | I 15 Business / Park Drive North

At end of road, turn left onto I 15 Business / Park Drive North

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 87 83.6 mi 1h 30m
US 12 45.1 mi 50m
MT 3 41.1 mi 47m
US 89 40.5 mi 45m
US 191 39.2 mi 42m
First Special Service Force Memorial Highway 9.4 mi 9m
2nd Avenue North 4.3 mi 7m
Iowa Avenue 2.5 mi 2m
Longest stretch: US 87 — 83.6 mi, about 1h 30m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on I 90 Business

0.1 mi · 25 sec · Montana Avenue
2

Turn left onto North 23rd Street

372 ft · 21 sec · North 23rd Street
3

Turn left onto I 90 Business

0.3 mi · 1 min · 1st Avenue North
4

Turn right onto MT 3

2.1 mi · 3 min · North 27th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
5

Enter roundabout onto MT 3

236 ft · 3 sec · MT 3
6

Continue on MT 3

3.1 mi · 3 min · MT 3
7

Enter roundabout onto MT 3

144 ft · 2 sec · MT 3
8

Continue on MT 3

25 mi · 28 min · MT 3
9

Continue on MT-3

2.5 mi · 2 min · Iowa Avenue
10

Continue on MT 3

12 mi · 14 min · MT 3
11

At end of road, turn left onto US 12; MT 3

45 mi · 50 min · US 12; MT 3
12

Turn right onto US 191; MT 3

39 mi · 42 min · US 191; MT 3
13

At end of road, turn left onto US 87; MT 3; MT 200

64 mi · 1 hr 9 min · US 87; MT 3; MT 200
14

Turn slight right

0.3 mi · 20 sec
15

Enter roundabout

172 ft · 2 sec
16

Continue

0.1 mi · 7 sec
17

Continue on US 87; US 89; MT 3; MT 200

19 mi · 20 min · US 87; US 89; MT 3; MT 200
18

Turn right onto US 87 Bypass

0.9 mi · 1 min · 57th Street South
19

Turn left onto 2nd Avenue North

4.3 mi · 7 min · 2nd Avenue North
20

At end of road, turn left onto I 15 Business

240 ft · 4 sec · Park Drive North
21

Turn right onto I 15 Business

0.2 mi · 23 sec · 1st Avenue North
22

Continue on I 15 Business

0.2 mi · 17 sec · First Avenue North Bridge
23

Continue on I 15 Business

1.4 mi · 1 min · Central Avenue West
24

Take the exit onto I 15 Business

0.2 mi · 32 sec · I 15 Business
25

Merge onto I 15; US 89; MT 200

9.4 mi · 9 min · First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
26

Take the exit onto US 89; MT 200

8.3 mi · 9 min · US 89; MT 200
Exit 290
27

Turn right onto US 89

32 mi · 35 min · US 89
28

Enter roundabout onto US 89

514 ft · 17 sec · West Division Street
29

Continue on US 89

143 ft · 4 sec · West Division Street
30

Turn slight right onto US 89

367 ft · 14 sec · Main Avenue North
31

Arrive at destination

US 89

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 135.9 miles from Billings, MT, or about 2h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 83.6 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 60 miles or 1h 10m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 135.9 miles or 2h 34m 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 13m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Choteau, 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 271.8 miles and 5h 7m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 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 US 87 for about 83.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 135.9 mi from Billings, MT · 2h 34m into the drive

city in and county seat of Fergus County, Montana, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Lewistown, MT

136 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 60 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lewistown, MT

Meal break

The midpoint is around 135.9 miles from Billings, MT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 87 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 83.6 miles.

Arriving in Choteau, MT

The final approach into Choteau, 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 Choteau, 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

Copper Creek Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Choteau, Montana

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 271.8

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+14064663868

Visit website

NaRa Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Billings, Montana

0.9 mi

Stompin Grounds

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Billings, Montana

0.5 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Big Sky Deli & Bakery, LLC

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Vaughn, Montana

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 233

Hours: 7 am–5:30 pm

+14069648553

Visit website

Marble Coffee Co

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Billings, Montana

0.2 mi

Bearded Bean Coffee Co

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Billings, Montana

0.5 mi

Copper Creek Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 271.8

Choteau, Montana

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+14064663868

Visit website

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

Stompin Grounds

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

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

Billings, Montana

Hours: 9 am–4 pm

+16194956551

The Gateway Cafè

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 135.9

Hobson, Montana

Hours: Closed

+14064235615

Pizza Ranch

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour Moderately

Billings, Montana

Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm

+14068392366

Visit website

Family Affair Restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour $10 to $20 mile 213.6

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+14063152720

Visit website

Double Barrel Coffee House Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour $10 to $20 mile 213.6

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 5:30 am–2 pm

+14063152463

Visit website

Pizza Hut

3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour Inexpensiv

Billings, Montana

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+14062598424

Visit website

Big Sky Deli & Bakery, LLC

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 233

Vaughn, Montana

Hours: 7 am–5:30 pm

+14069648553

Visit website

Marble Coffee Co

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $10 to $20

Billings, Montana

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+14063847764

Visit website

Bearded Bean Coffee Co

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

406 Latte

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 271.8

Choteau, Montana

Hours: 7 am–1 pm

Vogue Bubble Tea & Coffee Bar

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 213.6

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 9:30 am–8 pm

Visit website

Heroes Rise Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 213.6

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 6 am–5 pm

+14062170275

Visit website

Al Banco

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 213.6

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+14069520624

Visit website

ChargeLab Charging Station

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route mile 271.8

Choteau, Montana

ChargeLab Charging Station

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 271.8

Choteau, Montana

+18006360986

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

Later in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 213.6

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

EV Connect Charging Station

Later in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 213.6

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18668167584

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

Old Trail Museum Inc

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 271.8

Choteau, Montana

+14064665332

Visit website

Outpost Deli

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 271.8

Choteau, Montana

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+14064665330

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

Al Banco Coffee Shop

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 213.6

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

Visit website

T's Happy Cafe

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 155.3

Stanford, Montana

+14065662305

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$43.07 one way

$86.14 round trip

$4.03/gal 25.4 MPG avg 95 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.22 $45.15 $90.29
premium $4.53 $48.49 $96.97
diesel $5.61 $60.01 $120.02

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$43

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$68–$93

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 95.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 81.5 1 $28.54 $13.05
Efficient EV 68 0 $23.78 $10.87
EV Truck/SUV 108.7 1 $38.05 $17.40

Gas CO2

95 kg

EV CO2

32 kg (66% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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

Evening in Billings on Friday

Local time

7:40 PM

MDT

Current temp

74°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Choteau, MT

Evening in Choteau on Friday

Local time

7:40 PM

MDT

Current temp

65°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

65°F

Lewistown, MT

136 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

5h 7m 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 Choteau, MT covers 271.8 miles and takes about 5h 7m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are US 87, US 12, MT 3. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 135.9 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 $43.07 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 7m drive. You will face about 17 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (I 90 Business / 1st Avenue North): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles (MT 3 / North 27th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 46.2 miles (US 12; MT 3): Navigation decision point.

The route from Billings, MT to Choteau, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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