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Create accountDrive Time
2h 4m
Distance
121.8 mi
196 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bozeman, MT
John De Leon
Deer Lodge, MT
Can Ceylan
If you are looking to travel from Bozeman to Deer Lodge, you can expect a straightforward 121.8-mile journey through the heart of the Mountain West. Clocking in at approximately 2 hours and 4 minutes, this trip is perfectly suited as a simple one-day excursion. You will primarily utilize I-90 and I-90 Business, keeping the drive efficient and uncomplicated. With an estimated fuel cost of $19, it is an economical choice for those needing to cross the region quickly. Since both locations reside within Montana, you will enjoy a consistent cultural backdrop throughout the drive. Whether you are commuting or road-tripping, this route offers a reliable connection between these two mountain communities.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
60.9 miles from Bozeman, MT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 3m into the drive .
This route is a highway-focused drive, with 98% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will find that the experience is dominated by the interstate, providing a consistent pace for the duration of your trip. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 89.3 miles on I-90 Business, so expect long segments of steady cruising rather than frequent turns or technical maneuvers. Because the route relies so heavily on high-speed roads, it feels more like an efficient transit corridor than a winding backroad adventure. Prepare yourself for a predictable, high-visibility drive that prioritizes speed and direct access over complex navigation.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
0 ft
Total Descent
651 ft
Highest Point
4,811 ft
Elevation Range
651 ft
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 Business and I 90. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near West Peach Street.
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Bozeman, MT to Deer Lodge, MT is easy. At 2h 4m with 98% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (West Peach Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.8 miles (I 90 Business / North 7th Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 1.6 miles (I 90 Business): Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto West Peach Street
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto I 90 Business / North 7th Avenue
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto I 90 Business
Lane positioning matters here
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 toward I 90 Business: Deer Lodge
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 Business | 89.3 mi | 1h 31m |
| I 90 | 30.6 mi | 28m |
| North 7th Avenue | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| North Willson Avenue | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| West Peach Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Saint Mary's Avenue | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Bozeman, MT and Deer Lodge, MT.
Start on North Willson Avenue
Turn left onto West Peach Street
Turn right onto I 90 Business
Turn left onto I 90 Business
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
Take the exit onto I 90 Business
Turn right onto Saint Mary's Avenue
Arrive at destination
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have plenty of flexibility in your schedule, though departing in the morning is always a smart way to beat potential traffic. You won't need to plan for overnight stays, as the two-hour duration is manageable in a single push without requiring formal rest stops. Keep in mind that because the vast majority of your route is on the interstate, you should monitor your fuel levels before leaving Bozeman to avoid unnecessary stops along the highway. Given the 89.3-mile stretch on I-90 Business, make sure your vehicle is prepared for sustained highway speeds. Use this quick transit time to your advantage by planning your arrival in Deer Lodge for a relaxed afternoon.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
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 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 60.9 miles or 1h 3m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Deer Lodge, MT than in the middle of the route.
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 121.8 miles and 2h 4m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 60.9 mi from Bozeman, MT · 1h 3m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
61 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 60.9 miles from Bozeman, MT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 90 Business if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 89.3 miles.
The final approach into Deer Lodge, 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 Deer Lodge, MT.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$19.30 one way
$38.60 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.23 | $20.29 | $40.58 |
| premium | $4.53 | $21.72 | $43.44 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $27.06 | $54.12 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 42.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 36.5 | 0 | $12.79 | $5.85 |
| Efficient EV | 30.5 | 0 | $10.66 | $4.87 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 48.7 | 0 | $17.05 | $7.80 |
Gas CO2
43 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Bozeman on Sunday
Local time
8:42 PM
MDT
Current temp
38°F
Partly Cloudy
Destination
Evening in Deer Lodge on Sunday
Local time
8:42 PM
MDT
Current temp
33°F
Patchy Fog
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
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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