Trip from Billings, MT to Boulder, MT

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

Drive Time

4h 13m

Distance

226.1 mi

364 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$36

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

4h 0m ★

6 AM

4h 13m

8 AM

4h 40m

10 AM

4h 23m

12 PM

4h 20m

3 PM

4h 24m

5 PM

4h 38m

8 PM

4h 5m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

Google Maps Waze Apple Maps

Download GPX

Trip Overview

The drive from Billings, MT to Boulder, MT covers 226.1 miles and takes about 4h 13m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 90, MT 69, Montana Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 188.7 miles on I 90. At current regular gas prices, budget about $35.83 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

113 miles from Billings, MT

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 55m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 13m. Total distance: 226.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (98%). Straightforward navigation.

Drive Character

This is a 4h 13m highway drive covering 226.1 miles, with most of the trip on I 90 and MT 69. The longest continuous stretch is about 188.7 miles on I 90.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 15 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 188.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and MT 69. 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 4h 13m 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 points

These 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

5

193 mi into trip | ~3h 14m in

Take the exit toward MT 359: Cardwell, Boulder

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward MT 359: Cardwell, Boulder

4

194.5 mi into trip | ~3h 17m in | MT 69

Turn right onto MT 69

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 90	188.7 mi	3h 5m
MT 69	31.5 mi	55m
Montana Avenue	1.5 mi	2m
Laurel Road	1.4 mi	2m
MT 2	1.2 mi	2m
1st Avenue North	0.9 mi	3m
I 90 Business	0.4 mi	<1m
Division Street	<0.1 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: I 90 — 188.7 mi, about 3h 5m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Billings, MT and Boulder, 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

76 mi · 1 hr 16 min · I 90; US 191

11

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 33 sec

Toward MT 359: Cardwell, Boulder

12

Turn right onto MT 2

1.2 mi · 2 min · MT 2

13

Turn right onto MT 69

32 mi · 55 min · MT 69

14

Turn left onto West Centennial Avenue

408 ft · 18 sec · West Centennial Avenue

15

Arrive at destination

West Centennial Avenue

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 113 miles from Billings, MT, or about 1h 55m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 188.7 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 50 miles or 53m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 113 miles or 1h 55m 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 7m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Boulder, 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 226.1 miles and 4h 13m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 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 188.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 113 mi from Billings, MT · 1h 55m into the drive

city and the county seat of Park County, Montana, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Livingston, MT

113 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

Columbus, MT

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 50 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Livingston, MT

Meal break

The midpoint is around 113 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 I 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 188.7 miles.

Arriving in Boulder, MT

The final approach into Boulder, 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 Boulder, 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.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Mountain Good Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Boulder, Montana

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 226.1

Hours: 8 am–2:30 pm

+14062253382

McCormick Cafe

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Billings, Montana

0 mi

The Manhattan Saloon

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Manhattan, Montana

0.6 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Marble Coffee Co

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Billings, Montana

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $10 to $20

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+14063847764

Visit website

Heidi's Coffee Cabin

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Laurel, Montana

0.5 mi

Bearded Bean Coffee Co

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Billings, Montana

0.5 mi

Mountain Good Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 226.1

Boulder, Montana

Hours: 8 am–2:30 pm

+14062253382

McCormick Cafe

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0 mi from route $10 to $20

Billings, Montana

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+14062559555

Visit website

The Manhattan Saloon

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30 mile 161.5

Manhattan, Montana

Hours: 11 am–12 pm

+14062846929

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

Timber Bar & Grill

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 80.7

Big Timber, Montana

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+14069324040

Visit website

The Grand Hotel & Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 80.7

Big Timber, Montana

+14069324459

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 Porch at Nogans

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 161.5

Manhattan, Montana

Hours: 6:30 am–2:30 pm

+14062846464

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

Heidi's Coffee Cabin

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 16.1

Laurel, Montana

Hours: 5 am–5 pm

+14066289099

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

Sophie's Bakery Cafe Espresso

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 161.5

Manhattan, Montana

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+14063123452

Visit website

The Coffee Stop

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 80.7

Big Timber, Montana

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+14069328646

Visit website

Broadway Brew

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 161.5

Manhattan, Montana

Hours: 7 am–1 pm

+14065952424

Harvest Moon Coffee Shoppe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 161.5

Manhattan, Montana

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+14065955122

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 145.3

Bozeman, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Rivian Adventure Network

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 145.3

Bozeman, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887484262

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 145.3

Bozeman, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18884672669

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

2.5 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 145.3

Bozeman, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 145.3

Bozeman, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 145.3

Bozeman, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 145.3

Bozeman, Montana

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 113

Livingston, Montana

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+14062232233

Visit website

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$35.83 one way

$71.66 round trip

$4.03/gal 25.4 MPG avg 79 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.22	$37.56	$75.11
premium	$4.53	$40.33	$80.67
diesel	$5.61	$49.92	$99.84

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$36

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$61–$86

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 79.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	67.8	0	$23.74	$10.85
Efficient EV	56.5	0	$19.78	$9.04
EV Truck/SUV	90.4	1	$31.65	$14.47

Gas CO2

79 kg

EV CO2

26 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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Billings, MT

Morning in Billings on Saturday

Local time

11:15 AM

MDT

Current temp

74°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Boulder, MT

Morning in Boulder on Saturday

Local time

11:15 AM

MDT

Current temp

59°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

71°F

Livingston, MT

113 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

15 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

4h 13m 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 Boulder, MT covers 226.1 miles and takes about 4h 13m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 90, MT 69, Montana Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 113 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 $35.83 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 4h 13m 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 Boulder, 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.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Explore more options from Billings, MT or browse trips ending in Boulder, MT.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MT road trips.

Trip from Billings, MT to Boulder, MT

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Who Is This Route For?

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Boulder, MT

Nearby Places

Mountain Good Restaurant

Marble Coffee Co

Mountain Good Restaurant

McCormick Cafe

The Manhattan Saloon

NaRa Restaurant

Timber Bar & Grill

The Grand Hotel & Restaurant

Stompin Grounds

The Porch at Nogans

Marble Coffee Co

Heidi's Coffee Cabin

Bearded Bean Coffee Co

Black Dog Coffee House x 10th Ave

Sophie's Bakery Cafe Espresso

The Coffee Stop

Broadway Brew

Harvest Moon Coffee Shoppe

Tesla Supercharger

Rivian Adventure Network

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Blink Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Blink Charging Station

Blink Charging Station

Blink Charging Station

Wise Wonders Science and Discovery Museum

After Rage

DanWalt Botanical Gardens

The Grand Escape Room

Sacajawea Park and Tennis Courts

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Billings, MT

Boulder, MT

Same local time

15 degrees cooler at arrival

4h 13m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the trip from Billings, MT to Boulder, MT?

What are the main roads on this route?

Is this a good same-day trip?

Where should I stop halfway?

How much does gas cost for this trip?

What is the best time to leave?

How many breaks should I plan?

How hard is the drive from Billings, MT to Boulder, MT?

Where does this route get tricky?

What towns show up on signs driving from Billings, MT to Boulder, MT?

How this page is built

Explore More

Continue From Boulder, MT

More from Billings, MT

More trips to Boulder, MT