The drive from Bozeman, MT to Colstrip, MT covers 267.6 miles and takes about 4h 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, US 212, State Highway 39 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 200.3 miles on I 90.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $42.41 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
133.8 miles from Bozeman, MT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 16m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 48m. Total distance: 267.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
This is a 4h 48m highway drive covering 267.6 miles, with most of the trip on I 90 and US 212. The longest continuous stretch is about 200.3 miles on I 90.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 90 is the longest continuous segment at about 200.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and US 212. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near I 90 Business; US 191; MT 84 / West Main Street.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 48m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (I 90 Business; US 191; MT 84 / West Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 148 miles (I 90; US 87; US 212): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip|~0m in|I 90 Business; US 191; MT 84 / West Main Street
Turn left onto I 90 Business; US 191; MT 84 / West Main Street
Navigation decision point
4
1.4 mi into trip|~3m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
5
148 mi into trip|~2h 31m in|I 90; US 87; US 212
Keep slight right at fork onto I 90; US 87; US 212 toward I 90 East: Sheridan
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 90 East: Sheridan
5
202 mi into trip|~3h 22m in|US 212
Take the exit onto US 212 toward US 212 East: Little Bighorn Battlefield, Broadus
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 212 East: Little Bighorn Battlefield,...
5
244.5 mi into trip|~4h 13m in|MT 39 / Cheyenne Avenue
Enter roundabout onto MT 39 / Cheyenne Avenue
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Bozeman, MT to Colstrip, MT, road signs begin pointing toward Broadus along the way.
Broadus
202 mi in|~3h 22m|via US 212
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
200.3 mi
3h 17m
US 212
42.5 mi
50m
State Highway 39
22.2 mi
33m
West Main Street
1.4 mi
3m
Cheyenne Avenue
0.5 mi
<1m
Box Elder Avenue
0.4 mi
1m
North Willson Avenue
<0.1 mi
<1m
Park Street
—
—
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 200.3 mi, about 3h 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bozeman, MT and Colstrip, MT.
1
Start on North Willson Avenue
130 ft·11 sec·North Willson Avenue
2
Turn left onto I 90 Business; US 191; MT 84
1.4 mi·3 min·West Main Street
3
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
4
Merge onto I 90; US 191
23 mi·23 min·I 90; US 191
5
Continue on I 90; US 89; US 191
6.9 mi·6 min·I 90; US 89; US 191
6
Continue on I 90; US 191
113 mi·1 hr 53 min·I 90; US 191
7
Continue on I 90; US 87; US 212
3.1 mi·3 min·I 90; US 87; US 212
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 90; US 87; US 212
54 mi·50 min·I 90; US 87; US 212
Toward I 90 East: Sheridan
9
Take the exit onto US 212
0.4 mi·53 sec·US 212
Toward US 212 East: Little Bighorn Battlefield, Broadus
10
Turn left onto US 212
42 mi·49 min·US 212
11
Enter roundabout onto MT 39
328 ft·5 sec·Cheyenne Avenue
12
Continue on MT 39
0.5 mi·42 sec·Cheyenne Avenue
13
Continue on MT 39
22 mi·33 min·State Highway 39
14
Turn right onto Box Elder Avenue
0.4 mi·1 min·Box Elder Avenue
15
Arrive at destination
Park Street
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 133.8 miles from Bozeman, MT, or about 2h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 200.3 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 59 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 133.8 miles or 2h 16m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Colstrip, MT than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Bozeman, 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 Bozeman, MT
This is one driving day of about 267.6 miles and 4h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Bozeman, 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 I 90 for about 200.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 133.8 mi from Bozeman, MT
· 2h 16m into the drive
The midpoint is around 133.8 miles from Bozeman, MT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before I 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 200.3 miles.
Arriving in Colstrip, MT
The final approach into Colstrip, 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 Colstrip, 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument
National Monument
This land is a place to honor and reflect on the sacrifices made here on June 25 and 26, 1876, when Lakota, Cheyenne, and Arapaho warriors fought against a deliberate attack by the U.S. Army's 7th Cav...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
$25
near mile 203
Park Closure: The Park is ONLY OPEN Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.41 one way
$84.81 round trip
$4.03/gal25.4 MPG avg94 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$44.45
$88.90
premium
$4.53
$47.74
$95.47
diesel
$5.61
$59.08
$118.17
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
80.3
0
$28.10
$12.84
Efficient EV
66.9
0
$23.42
$10.70
EV Truck/SUV
107
1
$37.46
$17.13
Gas CO2
94 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 15, 2026
Origin
Bozeman, MT
Afternoon
in Bozeman on Thursday
Local time
4:03 PM
MDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Colstrip, MT
Afternoon
in Colstrip on Thursday
Local time
4:03 PM
MDT
Current temp
73°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
9 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
4h 48m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Bozeman, MT to Colstrip, MT covers 267.6 miles and takes about 4h 48m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 90, US 212, State Highway 39. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 133.8 miles from Bozeman, MT. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $42.41 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a straightforward 4h 48m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (I 90 Business; US 191; MT 84 / West Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 148 miles (I 90; US 87; US 212): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
On the drive from Bozeman, MT to Colstrip, MT, road signs begin pointing toward Broadus along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument.
