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Create accountDrive Time
4h 25m
Distance
262.9 mi
423 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$42
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.
Billings, MT
John De Leon
Deer Lodge, MT
Can Ceylan
The drive from Billings, MT to Deer Lodge, MT covers 262.9 miles and takes about 4h 25m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 90, I 90 Business, Montana Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 256.4 miles on I 90. At current regular gas prices, budget about $41.66 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
131.4 miles from Billings, MT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 13m into the drive .
This is a 4h 25m highway drive covering 262.9 miles, with most of the trip on I 90 and I 90 Business. The longest continuous stretch is about 256.4 miles on I 90.
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
Total Climb
3,927 ft
Total Descent
2,334 ft
Highest Point
5,709 ft
~219.1 mi in
Elevation Range
2,587 ft
Notable High Points
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and I 90 Business. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near North 23rd Street.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 4h 25m 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: at 0.1 miles (North 23rd Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (I 90 Business / 1st Avenue North): Navigation decision point; at 4 miles (I 90 Business): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto North 23rd Street
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto I 90 Business / 1st Avenue North
Navigation decision point
Keep slight right at fork onto I 90 Business toward Butte, I 90 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90 toward I 90 West: Missoula
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Take the exit onto I 90 Business toward I 90 Business: Deer Lodge
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 256.4 mi | 4h 12m |
| I 90 Business | 2.3 mi | 3m |
| Montana Avenue | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Laurel Road | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| 1st Avenue North | 0.9 mi | 3m |
| Saint Mary's Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Division Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| North 23rd Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Billings, MT and Deer Lodge, MT.
Start on I 90 Business
Turn left onto North 23rd Street
Turn left onto I 90 Business
Turn left onto I 90 Business
Continue on I 90 Business
Continue on I 90 Business
Keep slight right at fork onto I 90 Business
Merge onto I 90; US 212
Continue on I 90; US 89; US 191
Continue on I 90; US 191
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
Take the exit onto I 90 Business
Turn right onto Saint Mary's Avenue
Arrive at destination
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.
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 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 131.4 miles or 2h 13m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Deer Lodge, MT than in the middle of the route.
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 262.9 miles and 4h 25m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 131.4 mi from Billings, MT · 2h 13m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
131 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 131.4 miles from Billings, MT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 256.4 miles.
The final approach into Deer Lodge, 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 Deer Lodge, MT.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$41.66 one way
$83.32 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.23 | $43.79 | $87.59 |
| premium | $4.53 | $46.88 | $93.75 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $58.41 | $116.81 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 78.9 | 0 | $27.60 | $12.62 |
| Efficient EV | 65.7 | 0 | $23.00 | $10.52 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 105.2 | 1 | $36.81 | $16.83 |
Gas CO2
92 kg
EV CO2
31 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Billings on Sunday
Local time
6:32 PM
MDT
Current temp
70°F
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Destination
Evening in Deer Lodge on Sunday
Local time
6:32 PM
MDT
Current temp
59°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
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
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.
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