Drive Time
5h 1m
Distance
345.4 mi
556 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$55
one way
Photo: John De Leon
The drive from Billings, MT to Missoula, MT covers 345.4 miles and takes about 5h 1m 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 $54.73 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
172.7 miles from Billings, MT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 30m into the drive .
Expect a 5h 1m drive with frequent turns across 345.4 miles of local and secondary roads.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 5h 1m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Billings, MT to Missoula, MT is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
| 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 |
| US 12 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Van Buren 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 Missoula, 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 US 12 West, I 90 Business
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Van Buren Street
Exit the roundabout onto Van Buren Street
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Van Buren Street
Exit the roundabout onto Van Buren Street
Turn right onto East Broadway Street
Turn right onto North Higgins Avenue
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 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 172.7 miles or 2h 30m 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 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Missoula, 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 345.4 miles and 5h 1m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 172.7 mi from Billings, MT · 2h 30m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
173 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 172.7 miles from Billings, MT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Missoula, 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 Missoula, MT.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$54.73 one way
$109.47 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.23 | $57.53 | $115.07 |
| premium | $4.53 | $61.59 | $123.17 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $76.74 | $153.47 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$55
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$80–$105
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 120.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 103.6 | 1 | $36.27 | $16.58 |
| Efficient EV | 86.4 | 0 | $30.22 | $13.82 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 138.2 | 1 | $48.36 | $22.11 |
Gas CO2
121 kg
EV CO2
40 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
Late night in Billings on Sunday
Local time
2:34 AM
MDT
Current temp
40°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Missoula on Sunday
Local time
2:34 AM
MDT
Current temp
33°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
25°F
Butte, MT
173 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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