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Create accountDrive Time
4h 18m
Distance
224.7 mi
362 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$36
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.
Choteau, MT
Alex Moliski
Livingston, MT
John De Leon
The drive from Choteau, MT to Livingston, MT covers 224.7 miles and takes about 4h 18m 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 287, First Special Service Force Memorial Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 55.4 miles on I 90. At current regular gas prices, budget about $35.61 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
112.3 miles from Choteau, MT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 16m into the drive .
This is a 4h 18m highway drive covering 224.7 miles, with most of the trip on I 90 and US 287. The longest continuous stretch is about 55.4 miles on I 90.
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
Total Climb
2,743 ft
Total Descent
2,060 ft
Highest Point
5,228 ft
~215.3 mi in
Elevation Range
1,455 ft
Notable High Points
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and US 287. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near US 89 / 1st Street Southwest.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 224.7 miles you will encounter 12 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 0.1 miles (US 89 / 1st Street Southwest): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 28.2 miles (MT 200): Navigation decision point; at 103.1 miles (US 287): 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.
Enter roundabout onto US 89 / 1st Street Southwest
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Turn right onto MT 200
Navigation decision point
Take the exit onto US 287 toward US 12 South, US 287 South: Townsend, Capitol Area
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward I 90 East: Billings
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Turn left onto I 90 Business / West Park Street
Lane positioning matters here
On the drive from Choteau, MT to Livingston, MT, road signs begin pointing toward Capitol Area along the way.
Capitol Area
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 55.4 mi | 56m |
| US 287 | 48.5 mi | 1h 1m |
| First Special Service Force Memorial Highway | 35.9 mi | 35m |
| US 12 | 34.1 mi | 40m |
| MT 200 | 18.4 mi | 20m |
| United States Route 89 | 16.8 mi | 18m |
| 3rd Lane | 5.3 mi | 9m |
| 1st Road Southeast | 3.3 mi | 3m |
Step-by-step road directions between Choteau, MT and Livingston, MT.
Start on US 89
Enter roundabout onto US 89
Continue on US 89
Turn straight onto US 89
Continue on US 89
Continue on US 89
Turn right onto S-565
Continue on Simms Fairfield Road
Turn right onto MT 200
Turn left onto US 287
Take the ramp onto US 287
Merge onto I 15; US 287
Take the exit onto US 287
Turn left onto US 12; US 287
Continue on US 12; US 287
Continue on US 12; US 287
Continue on US 12; US 287
Continue on US 287
Continue on US 287
Continue on US 287
Continue on US 287
Take the exit
Merge onto I 90
Take the exit onto I 90 Business
Turn left onto I 90 Business
Turn left onto I 90 Business
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 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 112.3 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 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Livingston, MT than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Choteau, 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 Choteau, MT
This is one driving day of about 224.7 miles and 4h 18m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 112.3 mi from Choteau, MT · 2h 16m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
112 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 112.3 miles from Choteau, MT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Livingston, 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 Livingston, MT.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$35.61 one way
$71.21 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.23 | $37.43 | $74.86 |
| premium | $4.53 | $40.07 | $80.13 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $49.92 | $99.84 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 78.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 67.4 | 0 | $23.59 | $10.79 |
| Efficient EV | 56.2 | 0 | $19.66 | $8.99 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 89.9 | 1 | $31.46 | $14.38 |
Gas CO2
79 kg
EV CO2
26 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Choteau on Sunday
Local time
6:29 PM
MDT
Current temp
55°F
Partly Sunny then Chance Light Rain
Destination
Evening in Livingston on Sunday
Local time
6:29 PM
MDT
Current temp
64°F
Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
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.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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