Drive Time
5h 57m
Distance
359.1 mi
578 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$49
one way
The drive from Billings, MT to Frenchtown, MT covers 359.1 miles and takes about 5h 57m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on North 23rd Street, 1st Avenue North, Division Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $48.78 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
179.5 miles from Billings, MT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 58m into the drive .
Expect a 5h 57m drive with frequent turns across 359.1 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North 23rd Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 1st Avenue North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Division Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Montana Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Laurel Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 90 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Frenchtown | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Demer Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Billings, MT and Frenchtown, MT.
Start on Montana Avenue
Turn left onto North 23rd Street
Turn left onto 1st Avenue North
Turn left onto Division Street
Continue on Montana Avenue
Continue on Laurel Road
Keep slight right to continue on Butte, I 90 West
Merge slight right
Continue straight
Continue straight
Keep slight left to continue on I 90 West: Missoula
Take the exit slight right toward Frenchtown
Turn left onto Demer Street
At the end of the road, turn left onto Beckwith Street
Arrive at your 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 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 179.5 miles or 2h 58m 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 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Frenchtown, 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 359.1 miles and 5h 57m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 179.5 mi from Billings, MT · 2h 58m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
180 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 179.5 miles from Billings, MT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Frenchtown, 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 Frenchtown, MT.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$48.78 one way
$97.55 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.85 | $54.43 | $108.86 |
| premium | $4.15 | $58.67 | $117.34 |
| diesel | $3.75 | $53.02 | $106.03 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$49
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 125.6 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 107.7 | 1 | $37.71 | $17.24 |
| Efficient EV | 89.8 | 1 | $31.42 | $14.36 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 143.6 | 1 | $50.27 | $22.98 |
Gas CO2
126 kg
EV CO2
42 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Billings on Saturday
Local time
7:36 AM
MDT
Current temp
40°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Frenchtown on Saturday
Local time
7:36 AM
MDT
Current temp
33°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
30°F
Whitehall, MT
180 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.
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