Sign in
No account yet?
Create accountDrive Time
4h 45m
Distance
256.1 mi
412 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$41
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
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
Dillon, MT
John De Leon
The drive from Billings, MT to Dillon, MT covers 256.1 miles and takes about 4h 45m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 90, West 4th Avenue, Montana Highway 41 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 196 miles on I 90. At current regular gas prices, budget about $40.58 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
128.1 miles from Billings, MT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 10m into the drive .
This is a 4h 45m highway drive covering 256.1 miles, with most of the trip on I 90 and West 4th Avenue. The longest continuous stretch is about 196 miles on I 90.
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
Total Climb
2,986 ft
Total Descent
1,624 ft
Highest Point
5,538 ft
~128.1 mi in
Elevation Range
2,302 ft
Notable High Points
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and West 4th Avenue. 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 45m drive. You will face about 11 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
Turn left onto MT 55 / Whitetail Road
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto North Idaho Street
Navigation decision point
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 196 mi | 3h 12m |
| West 4th Avenue | 27.2 mi | 40m |
| Montana Highway 41 | 14.4 mi | 21m |
| State Highway 55 | 9.9 mi | 14m |
| Montana Highway 55 | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| Montana Avenue | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Laurel Road | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| 1st Avenue North | 0.9 mi | 3m |
Step-by-step road directions between Billings, MT and Dillon, 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
Take the exit
Turn left onto MT 55
Continue on MT 55
At end of road, turn right onto MT 2; MT 55
Turn left onto MT 55
Turn straight onto MT 55
Continue on MT 55
Continue on MT 41
Turn right onto MT 41
Continue on I 15 Business
Turn left onto I 15 Business
Turn right onto North Idaho Street
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 128.1 miles or 2h 10m 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 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Dillon, 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 256.1 miles and 4h 45m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 128.1 mi from Billings, MT · 2h 10m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
128 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 128.1 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 196 miles.
The final approach into Dillon, 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 Dillon, 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
$40.58 one way
$81.17 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.23 | $42.66 | $85.32 |
| premium | $4.53 | $45.66 | $91.33 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $56.90 | $113.79 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 89.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 76.8 | 0 | $26.89 | $12.29 |
| Efficient EV | 64 | 0 | $22.41 | $10.24 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 102.4 | 1 | $35.85 | $16.39 |
Gas CO2
90 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (67% 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
6:22 PM
MDT
Current temp
70°F
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Destination
Evening in Dillon on Sunday
Local time
6:22 PM
MDT
Current temp
61°F
Slight Chance Light Rain then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Along the Route
32°F
Livingston, MT
128 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
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.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Billings, MT or browse trips ending in Dillon, MT.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MT road trips.
Explore maps for Billings, MT or Dillon, MT on MapSof.net.