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Create accountDrive Time
23m
Distance
16.4 mi
26 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$3
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
Laurel, MT
Wyxina Tresse
If you are planning a quick transit between Billings and Laurel, Montana, you are looking at a very straightforward 16.4-mile trip. This drive takes approximately 23 minutes, making it an ideal candidate for a half-day excursion or a simple commute. You will primarily navigate via I-90, Montana Avenue, and Laurel Road to complete the journey. Given the short distance and duration, you can easily handle this as a one-day trip without needing any overnight stays. With an estimated fuel cost of just $3, it is an incredibly budget-friendly route within the Mountain West region. Expect a practical, no-nonsense drive that gets you from point A to point B efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
8.2 miles from Billings, MT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 13m into the drive .
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 76% of this route consists of high-speed travel. The drive is defined by a significant 11.3-mile stretch on I-90, which provides the bulk of the journey's momentum. You will transition from the interstate onto local infrastructure like Montana Avenue and Laurel Road as you approach your destination. While the highway segments offer a steady, consistent pace, the final miles require a shift in attention as you move into local road environments. This is a functional drive designed for speed and direct access rather than winding, scenic detours.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
180 ft
Total Descent
4 ft
Highest Point
3,298 ft
~16.4 mi in
Elevation Range
176 ft
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and Montana 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 23m drive. You will face about 7 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 1.1 miles (I 90 Business / Division Street): Navigation decision point.
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
Turn left onto I 90 Business / Division Street
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
Take the exit onto US 212 toward US 212, US 310: Laurel, Red Lodge
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
On the drive from Billings, MT to Laurel, MT, road signs begin pointing toward Butte along the way.
Butte
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 11.3 mi | 13m |
| Montana Avenue | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Laurel Road | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| 1st Avenue North | 0.9 mi | 3m |
| I 90 Business | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| US 310 | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| US 212 | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Division Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Billings, MT and Laurel, 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
Take the exit onto US 212
Turn right onto US 310; MT S-532
Arrive at destination
Because this is such a brief 23-minute trek, you have complete flexibility regarding your departure time. You will not need to plan for any stops along the way, as the route is short enough to complete in one go. Keep in mind that with a fuel budget of only $3, you can easily top off your tank in Billings before you head out and be set for the entire distance. Since the longest stretch is over 11 miles on I-90, ensure your vehicle is ready for sustained highway speeds before merging. Use the simplicity of this 16.4-mile path to your advantage by focusing on your arrival in Laurel rather than worrying about mid-trip logistics.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
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 16.4 miles or 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 8.2 miles or 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 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Laurel, 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 16.4 miles and 23m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 8.2 mi from Billings, MT · 13m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
8 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 16.4 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 8.2 miles from Billings, MT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Laurel, 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 Laurel, MT.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$2.60 one way
$5.20 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.23 | $2.73 | $5.46 |
| premium | $4.53 | $2.92 | $5.85 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $3.64 | $7.29 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$28–$53
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 5.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 4.9 | 0 | $1.72 | $0.79 |
| Efficient EV | 4.1 | 0 | $1.43 | $0.66 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 6.6 | 0 | $2.30 | $1.05 |
Gas CO2
6 kg
EV CO2
2 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Billings on Sunday
Local time
8:49 PM
MDT
Current temp
44°F
Partly Cloudy
Destination
Evening in Laurel on Sunday
Local time
8:49 PM
MDT
Current temp
40°F
Partly Cloudy
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
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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