Origin
Billings, MT
Evening in Billings on Thursday
Local time
7:44 PM
MDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Billings, MT to Ennis, MT
Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026
Drive Time
3h 42m
Distance
196.3 mi
316 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$31
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 30m
★
6 AM
3h 42m
8 AM
4h 7m
10 AM
3h 51m
12 PM
3h 49m
3 PM
3h 52m
5 PM
4h 6m
8 PM
3h 35m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Billings, MT
Wikimedia Commons
Ennis, MT
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Planning a trip from Billings, Montana, to Ennis, Montana? This journey covers 196.3 miles and is estimated to take about 3 hours and 42 minutes. Primarily a highway drive, 85% of the route utilizes major roads like I-90, Norris Road, and US 287. With a fuel cost estimated around $31, this route is well-suited for a single day of travel. The drive takes you through the Mountain West region, offering a straightforward path between two points in Big Sky Country. Consider this a practical, efficient drive if you're looking to get from Point A to Point B with minimal fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
98.2 miles from Billings, MT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 40m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 42m. Total distance: 196.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
This drive is largely highway-focused, with 85% of the journey on major routes. You'll experience a significant stretch of 138.1 miles on I-90, which provides a consistent pace. As you transition from I-90 to Norris Road and then US 287, the road character will shift slightly, but the overall feel remains that of an efficient transit. Expect a predominantly smooth driving experience that allows you to cover ground steadily. The route is designed for straightforward travel, minimizing complex navigation.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 90 is the longest continuous segment at about 138.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and Norris Road. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near North 23rd Street.
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 3h 42m drive. You will face about 9 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.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
North 23rd Street
Turn left onto North 23rd Street
Navigation decision point
4
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
4 mi into trip
|
~8m in
|
I 90 Business
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
Toward Butte, I 90 West
4
142.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 25m in
Take the exit toward MT 205
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward MT 205
5
196.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 41m in
|
US 287
At end of road, turn left onto US 287
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 138.1 mi | 2h 15m |
| Norris Road | 17.5 mi | 26m |
| US 287 | 16.4 mi | 19m |
| Montana Highway 84 | 11.4 mi | 17m |
| Huffine Lane | 5.3 mi | 7m |
| West Main Street | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| Montana Avenue | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Laurel Road | 1.4 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 138.1 mi, about 2h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Billings, MT and Ennis, 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
0.9 mi
·
3 min
·
1st Avenue North
4
Turn left onto I 90 Business
447 ft
·
9 sec
·
Division Street
5
Continue on I 90 Business
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Montana Avenue
6
Continue on I 90 Business
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Laurel Road
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 90 Business
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
·
I 90 Business
Toward Butte, I 90 West
8
Merge onto I 90; US 212
105 mi
·
1 hr 43 min
·
I 90; US 212
9
Continue on I 90; US 89; US 191
7.0 mi
·
6 min
·
I 90; US 89; US 191
10
Continue on I 90; US 191
26 mi
·
26 min
·
I 90; US 191
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Toward MT 205
12
Turn left onto North 7th Avenue
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
North 7th Avenue
13
At end of road, turn right onto US 191; MT 84
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
West Main Street
14
Continue on US 191; MT 84
5.3 mi
·
7 min
·
Huffine Lane
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
15
Continue on MT 84
18 mi
·
26 min
·
Norris Road
16
Continue on MT 84
11 mi
·
17 min
·
Montana Highway 84
17
Turn left onto US 287
16 mi
·
19 min
·
US 287
18
At end of road, turn left onto US 287
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
US 287
19
Arrive at destination
US 287
Trip Plan
Given the total duration of just under 4 hours, this trip is comfortably manageable as a single-day excursion. You'll want to start your drive early to maximize daylight and allow for any unexpected delays. There's one recommended stop, which you can use for a quick break or to refuel, though the total distance doesn't necessitate extensive stops. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is 138.1 miles on I-90, so plan your breaks accordingly. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you leave the interstate, to ensure you have enough to reach Ennis.
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 98.2 miles from Billings, MT, or about 1h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 138.1 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 43 miles or 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 98.2 miles or 1h 40m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 54m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ennis, 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 196.3 miles and 3h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 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 I 90 for about 138.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 98.2 mi from Billings, MT · 1h 40m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
98 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 43 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 98.2 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 138.1 miles.
Arriving in Ennis, MT
The final approach into Ennis, 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 Ennis, 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.11 one way
$62.21 round trip
$4.03/gal
25.4 MPG avg
69 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.22 | $32.61 | $65.21 |
| premium | $4.53 | $35.02 | $70.03 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $43.34 | $86.68 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 68.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 58.9 | 0 | $20.61 | $9.42 |
| Efficient EV | 49.1 | 0 | $17.18 | $7.85 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 78.5 | 0 | $27.48 | $12.56 |
Gas CO2
69 kg
EV CO2
23 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Ennis, MT
Evening in Ennis on Thursday
Local time
7:44 PM
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
3h 42m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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 Ennis, MT covers 196.3 miles and takes about 3h 42m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 90, Norris Road, US 287. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 98.2 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 $31.11 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a straightforward 3h 42m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
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.
The route from Billings, MT to Ennis, MT does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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