Drive Time
6h 29m
Distance
342.9 mi
552 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$54
one way
Photo: John De Leon
The drive from Billings, MT to South Browning, MT covers 342.9 miles and takes about 6h 29m 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, North 27th Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $54.34 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
171.4 miles from Billings, MT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 14m into the drive .
Expect a 6h 29m drive with frequent turns across 342.9 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
The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 29m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 0 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Billings, MT to South Browning, MT is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North 23rd Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 1st Avenue North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North 27th Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Airport Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| the route | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Iowa Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 57th Street South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 2nd Avenue North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Billings, MT and South Browning, MT.
Start on Montana Avenue
Turn left onto North 23rd Street
Turn left onto 1st Avenue North
Turn right onto North 27th Street
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Airport Road
Exit the roundabout
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
Exit the roundabout
Continue on Iowa Avenue
Continue straight
At the end of the road, turn left
Turn right
At the end of the road, turn left
Turn slight right
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
Exit the roundabout
Continue straight
Turn right onto 57th Street South
Turn left onto 2nd Avenue North
At the end of the road, turn left onto Park Drive North
Turn right onto 1st Avenue North
Continue on First Avenue North Bridge
Continue on Central Avenue West
Take the exit right
Merge slight left onto First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
Take the exit slight right
Turn right
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward West Division Street
Exit the rotary onto West Division Street
Turn slight right onto Main Avenue North
Continue on 13th Lane Northwest
Continue on United States Highway 89
At the end of the road, turn left
Turn left onto 8th Avenue Southeast
At the end of the road, turn left onto South Piegan Street
Turn right onto Mountain Chief Road
Arrive at your destination
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
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 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 171.4 miles or 3h 14m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near South Browning, 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 342.9 miles and 6h 29m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 171.4 mi from Billings, MT · 3h 14m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
171 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 171.4 miles from Billings, MT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into South Browning, 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 South Browning, MT.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$54.34 one way
$108.68 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.23 | $57.12 | $114.24 |
| premium | $4.53 | $61.14 | $122.28 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $76.18 | $152.36 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$54
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$79–$104
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 120 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 | 102.9 | 1 | $36.00 | $16.46 |
| Efficient EV | 85.7 | 0 | $30.00 | $13.72 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 137.2 | 1 | $48.01 | $21.95 |
Gas CO2
120 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
Evening in Billings on Saturday
Local time
6:24 PM
MDT
Current temp
40°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Evening in South Browning on Saturday
Local time
6:24 PM
MDT
Current temp
39°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
35°F
Great Falls, MT
171 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
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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