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Trip from Billings, MT to Cut Bank, MT

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

Drive Time

5h 55m

Distance

325.9 mi

524 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$52

one way

EV Charging

Sparse

1 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
5h 42m ★
6 AM
5h 55m
8 AM
6h 21m
10 AM
6h 4m
12 PM
6h 2m
3 PM
6h 5m
5 PM
6h 20m
8 PM
5h 47m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in and county seat of Yellowstone County, Montana, United States

Billings, MT

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Cut Bank, MT, MT

Cut Bank, MT

Alex Huahuisa Florez

Trip Overview

The drive from Billings, MT to Cut Bank, MT covers 325.9 miles and takes about 5h 55m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on US 87, First Special Service Force Memorial Highway, US 12 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 83.6 miles on US 87. At current regular gas prices, budget about $51.64 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

162.9 miles from Billings, MT

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 4m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 87 83.6 mi 1h 30m
First Special Service Force Memorial Highway 81.2 mi 1h 16m
US 12 45.1 mi 50m
MT 3 41.1 mi 47m
US 191 39.2 mi 42m
West Roosevelt Highway 22.6 mi 25m
2nd Avenue North 4.3 mi 7m
Iowa Avenue 2.5 mi 2m
Longest stretch: US 87 — 83.6 mi, about 1h 30m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Billings, MT and Cut Bank, 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

0.3 mi · 1 min · 1st Avenue North
4

Turn right onto MT 3

2.1 mi · 3 min · North 27th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
5

Enter roundabout onto MT 3

236 ft · 3 sec · MT 3
6

Continue on MT 3

3.1 mi · 3 min · MT 3
7

Enter roundabout onto MT 3

144 ft · 2 sec · MT 3
8

Continue on MT 3

25 mi · 28 min · MT 3
9

Continue on MT-3

2.5 mi · 2 min · Iowa Avenue
10

Continue on MT 3

12 mi · 14 min · MT 3
11

At end of road, turn left onto US 12; MT 3

45 mi · 50 min · US 12; MT 3
12

Turn right onto US 191; MT 3

39 mi · 42 min · US 191; MT 3
13

At end of road, turn left onto US 87; MT 3; MT 200

64 mi · 1 hr 9 min · US 87; MT 3; MT 200
14

Turn slight right

0.3 mi · 20 sec
15

Enter roundabout

172 ft · 2 sec
16

Continue

0.1 mi · 7 sec
17

Continue on US 87; US 89; MT 3; MT 200

19 mi · 20 min · US 87; US 89; MT 3; MT 200
18

Turn right onto US 87 Bypass

0.9 mi · 1 min · 57th Street South
19

Turn left onto 2nd Avenue North

4.3 mi · 7 min · 2nd Avenue North
20

At end of road, turn left onto I 15 Business

240 ft · 4 sec · Park Drive North
21

Turn right onto I 15 Business

0.2 mi · 23 sec · 1st Avenue North
22

Continue on I 15 Business

0.2 mi · 17 sec · First Avenue North Bridge
23

Continue on I 15 Business

1.4 mi · 1 min · Central Avenue West
24

Take the exit onto I 15 Business

0.2 mi · 32 sec · I 15 Business
25

Merge onto I 15; US 89; MT 200

81 mi · 1 hr 16 min · First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
26

Take the exit onto I 15 BUS

0.3 mi · 40 sec · I 15 BUS
Exit 363 Toward I 15 BUS, US 2: Shelby, Cut Bank
27

At end of road, turn left onto I 15 BUS; US 2

23 mi · 25 min · West Roosevelt Highway
28

Arrive at destination

US 2

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 162.9 miles from Billings, MT, or about 3h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 83.6 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 72 miles or 1h 24m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 162.9 miles or 3h 4m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 55m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cut Bank, 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 325.9 miles and 5h 55m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 72 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 US 87 for about 83.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in and county seat of Chouteau County, Montana, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Fort Benton, MT

163 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 72 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Fort Benton, MT

Meal break

The midpoint is around 162.9 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 US 87 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 83.6 miles.

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

NaRa Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Billings, Montana

Near the start, right off the route

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

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+14062458866

Visit website

Stompin Grounds

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Billings, Montana

0.5 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Latte Da

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Cut Bank, Montana

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $1 to $10 mile 325.9

Hours: 6:30 am–2 pm

+14062291022

Visit website

Marble Coffee Co

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Billings, Montana

0.2 mi

Bearded Bean Coffee Co

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Billings, Montana

0.5 mi

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

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

Pizza Ranch

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour Moderately

Billings, Montana

Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm

+14068392366

Visit website

The Gateway Cafè

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour $10 to $20 mile 139.7

Hobson, Montana

Hours: Closed

+14064235615

Pizza Hut

3.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour Inexpensiv

Billings, Montana

Hours: 11 am–10 pm

+14062598424

Visit website

MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20

Billings, Montana

Hours: 10:30 am–9 pm

+14062943797

Visit website

The Pronghorn Grill Restaurant

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour

Billings, Montana

Hours: 9 am–8 pm

+14062003250

Santiago’s Mexican restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour $10 to $20

Billings, Montana

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+14063715124

Latte Da

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $1 to $10 mile 325.9

Cut Bank, Montana

Hours: 6:30 am–2 pm

+14062291022

Visit website

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

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

Artique Brew Coffee and Tea Shop

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 325.9

Cut Bank, Montana

Hours: 7:30 am–2 pm

+14068730333

Marketplace on Main

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 325.9

Cut Bank, Montana

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+14068730333

Visit website

Folklore Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 279.3

Conrad, Montana

Hours: 7:30 am–4:30 pm

+14064502760

Visit website

Prairie Peddler

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 302.6

Shelby, Montana

Hours: 9 am–5:30 pm

+14064345446

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 302.6

Shelby, Montana

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

Wise Wonders Science and Discovery Museum

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Billings, Montana

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+14067021280

Visit website

After Rage

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

Billings, Montana

Hours: 3:30–9 pm

+14063715114

Visit website

DanWalt Botanical Gardens

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour

Billings, Montana

Hours: 9 am–5:30 pm

+14062484003

Visit website

The Grand Escape Room

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour

Billings, Montana

Hours: 11 am–8:30 pm

+14068608243

Visit website

Engineer Espresso

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 93.1

Harlowton, Montana

Hours: 6 am–3 pm

+14063663382

Visit website

T's Happy Cafe

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 162.9

Stanford, Montana

+14065662305

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 16

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 302.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
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
0.5 mi into trip | ~1m in | MT 3 / North 27th Street

Turn right onto MT 3 / North 27th Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.
5
46.2 mi into trip | ~55m in | US 12; MT 3

At end of road, turn left onto US 12; MT 3

Navigation decision point

5
195.1 mi into trip | ~3h 38m in

Enter roundabout

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

6
302.9 mi into trip | ~5h 28m in | I 15 BUS

Take the exit onto I 15 BUS toward I 15 BUS, US 2: Shelby, Cut Bank

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

Exit 363 Toward I 15 BUS, US 2: Shelby, Cut Bank

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$51.64 one way

$103.29 round trip

$4.03/gal 25.4 MPG avg 114 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.22 $54.13 $108.27
premium $4.53 $58.14 $116.27
diesel $5.61 $71.95 $143.91

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$52

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$77–$102

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 114 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 97.8 1 $34.22 $15.64
Efficient EV 81.5 0 $28.52 $13.04
EV Truck/SUV 130.4 1 $45.63 $20.86

Gas CO2

114 kg

EV CO2

38 kg (67% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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 17, 2026

Origin

Billings, MT

Afternoon in Billings on Saturday

Local time

12:00 PM

MDT

Current temp

27°F

Chance Rain And Snow Showers

NW 8 mph 37% chance Live forecast

Destination

Cut Bank, MT

Afternoon in Cut Bank on Saturday

Local time

12:00 PM

MDT

Current temp

69°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

42 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

5h 55m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

325.9 mi in 5h 55m, mostly highway — 83.6 mi of that is on US 87.

64% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 83.6 mi on US 87.

How Hard Is This Drive?

3/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 87 and First Special Service Force Memorial Highway. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near I 90 Business / 1st Avenue North.

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 5h 55m drive. You will face about 16 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (I 90 Business / 1st Avenue North): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles (MT 3 / North 27th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 46.2 miles (US 12; MT 3): Navigation decision point.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 55m. Total distance: 325.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (64%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 83.6 miles on US 87. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

Mostly yes along the main roads, but rural stretches through MT can have sparse or no coverage. Before you leave, download offline Google Maps or Apple Maps for the route, and consider downloading music or podcasts instead of streaming. If you depend on data for navigation, keep a paper backup of the turn-by-turn directions.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (I 90 Business / 1st Avenue North): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles (MT 3 / North 27th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 46.2 miles (US 12; MT 3): Navigation decision point.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.9 hours each way, a round trip means 11.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Cut Bank, MT before the return drive.

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.

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