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Create accountDrive Time
7h 20m
Distance
370.1 mi
596 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$59
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
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
Miles City, MT
Alex Moliski
The drive from Choteau, MT to Miles City, MT covers 370.1 miles and takes about 7h 20m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US Highway 87, MT 59, US 87 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 126.8 miles on US Highway 87. At current regular gas prices, budget about $58.65 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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
185.1 miles from Choteau, MT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 26m into the drive .
This is a 7h 20m highway drive covering 370.1 miles, with most of the trip on US Highway 87 and MT 59. The longest continuous stretch is about 126.8 miles on US Highway 87.
Gently rolling terrain
Total Climb
1,026 ft
Total Descent
1,658 ft
Highest Point
4,428 ft
~123.4 mi in
Elevation Range
1,241 ft
Notable High Points
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US Highway 87 and MT 59. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near US 89 / 1st Street Southwest.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
The route itself is not hard, but at 7h 20m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 11 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
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 32.4 miles (US 89; MT 200): Navigation decision point; at 40.2 miles (US 89; MT 200): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
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
At end of road, turn left onto US 89; MT 200
Navigation decision point
Take the exit onto US 89; MT 200 toward I 15 South: Great Falls
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Take the exit onto I 15 Business toward I 15 Business
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Enter roundabout
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US Highway 87 | 126.8 mi | 2h 16m |
| MT 59 | 82.6 mi | 2h 2m |
| US 87 | 79 mi | 1h 25m |
| 10th Avenue South | 22.6 mi | 25m |
| United States Route 89 | 16.8 mi | 18m |
| 1st Road Southeast | 14.7 mi | 15m |
| First Special Service Force Memorial Highway | 9.5 mi | 8m |
| US 89 | 8.1 mi | 9m |
Step-by-step road directions between Choteau, MT and Miles City, 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
At end of road, turn left onto US 89; MT 200
Take the exit onto US 89; MT 200
Merge onto I 15; US 89; MT 200
Take the exit onto I 15 Business
Turn left onto I 15 Business
Continue on I 15 Business
Continue on I 15 Business
Turn right onto US 87
Turn left onto US 87; US 89; MT 3; MT 200
Enter roundabout
Continue
Turn straight onto US 87; MT 3; MT 200
Continue on US 87; US 191; MT 200
Turn straight onto US 191
Continue on 1st Avenue North
Turn left onto US 87; MT 200
Continue on US 87; MT 200
Continue on US 87; MT 200
Turn right onto MT 59
Turn left onto I 94 Business; MT 59
Arrive at 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 81 miles or 1h 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 185.1 miles or 3h 26m 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 50m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Miles City, 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.
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Choteau, MT
This is one driving day of about 370.1 miles and 7h 20m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 185.1 mi from Choteau, MT · 3h 26m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
185 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 81 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 185.1 miles from Choteau, MT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US Highway 87 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 126.8 miles.
The final approach into Miles City, 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 Miles City, 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
$58.65 one way
$117.30 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.23 | $61.65 | $123.30 |
| premium | $4.53 | $65.99 | $131.98 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $82.22 | $164.45 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$59
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$84–$109
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 129.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 111 | 1 | $38.86 | $17.76 |
| Efficient EV | 92.5 | 1 | $32.38 | $14.80 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 148 | 1 | $51.81 | $23.69 |
Gas CO2
129 kg
EV CO2
43 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Choteau on Sunday
Local time
6:32 PM
MDT
Current temp
55°F
Partly Sunny then Chance Light Rain
Destination
Evening in Miles City on Sunday
Local time
6:32 PM
MDT
Current temp
71°F
Sunny
Along the Route
27°F
Lewistown, MT
185 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.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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