Drive Time
5h 48m
Distance
347.4 mi
559 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 Orchard Homes, MT covers 347.4 miles and takes about 5h 48m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 90, Montana Avenue, Laurel Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 338.4 miles on I 90. At current regular gas prices, budget about $55.05 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
173.7 miles from Billings, MT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 56m into the drive .
This is a 5h 48m highway drive covering 347.4 miles, with most of the trip on I 90 and Montana Avenue. The longest continuous stretch is about 338.4 miles on I 90.
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
Total Climb
5,224 ft
Total Descent
5,193 ft
Highest Point
6,173 ft
~217.1 mi in
Elevation Range
3,051 ft
Notable High Points
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and Montana Avenue. You will hit about 17 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 4 miles in near I 90 Business.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 347.4 miles you will encounter 17 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 4 miles (I 90 Business): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 230.2 miles (I 90): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 342.7 miles (I 90 Business; US 12): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
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
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90 toward I 90 West: Missoula
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Take the exit onto I 90 Business; US 12 toward US 12 West, I 90 Business
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Enter roundabout onto I 90 Bus; US 12 / Van Buren Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Turn left onto US 12 / Madison Street
Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 338.4 mi | 5h 30m |
| Montana Avenue | 1.5 mi | 2m |
| Laurel Road | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| 1st Avenue North | 0.9 mi | 3m |
| South 14th Street West | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Mount Avenue | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Brooks Street | 0.7 mi | <1m |
| I 90 Business | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Billings, MT and Orchard Homes, 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
Continue on I 90; US 89; US 191
Continue on I 90; US 191
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
Take the exit onto I 90 Business; US 12
Enter roundabout onto I 90 Bus; US 12
Continue on I 90 Bus; US 12
Enter roundabout onto I 90 Bus; US 12
Continue on I 90 Bus; US 12
Turn right onto I 90 Bus; US 12
Turn left onto US 12
Continue on US 12
Turn right onto US 12
Turn left onto US 12
Turn right onto US 12
Turn right onto Mount Avenue
Continue on South 14th Street West
Continue on Mount Avenue
Turn right onto South Reserve Street
Turn left onto South 7th Street West
Arrive at 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 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 173.7 miles or 2h 56m 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 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Orchard Homes, 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 347.4 miles and 5h 48m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 173.7 mi from Billings, MT · 2h 56m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
174 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 173.7 miles from Billings, MT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 338.4 miles.
The final approach into Orchard Homes, 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 Orchard Homes, 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.
Regular Gas
$55.05 one way
$110.10 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.23 | $57.87 | $115.74 |
| premium | $4.53 | $61.94 | $123.89 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $77.18 | $154.36 |
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: 121.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 104.2 | 1 | $36.48 | $16.68 |
| Efficient EV | 86.9 | 0 | $30.40 | $13.90 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 139 | 1 | $48.64 | $22.23 |
Gas CO2
122 kg
EV CO2
41 kg (66% 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
Evening in Billings on Saturday
Local time
6:16 PM
MDT
Current temp
40°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Evening in Orchard Homes on Saturday
Local time
6:16 PM
MDT
Current temp
33°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
30°F
Whitehall, MT
174 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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