Origin
Colstrip, MT
Afternoon in Colstrip on Thursday
Local time
1:29 PM
MDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Colstrip, MT to Evergreen, MT
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
10h 14m
Distance
573.6 mi
923 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$91
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
10h 5m
★
6 AM
10h 14m
8 AM
10h 33m
10 AM
10h 21m
12 PM
10h 19m
3 PM
10h 22m
5 PM
10h 32m
8 PM
10h 9m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Colstrip, MT
Alex Moliski
Evergreen, MT
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Colstrip, MT to Evergreen, MT covers 573.6 miles and takes about 10h 14m behind the wheel. It usually feels better as a 2-day road trip than as one long push.
The route leans on I 90, MT 83, I 94 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is long-distance drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 278.6 miles on I 90. At current regular gas prices, budget about $90.90 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
286.8 miles from Colstrip, MT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 5h 5m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
10h 14m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
At 573.6 miles and 10h 14m of driving, this is a route where fuel stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single turn. The main roads are I 90 and MT 83.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 21 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 278.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and MT 83. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near MT 39.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 573.6 miles you will encounter 14 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 0.4 miles (MT 39): Navigation decision point; at 352.4 miles (I 90): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 395.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0.4 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
MT 39
At end of road, turn right onto MT 39
Navigation decision point
5
352.4 mi into trip
|
~6h 11m in
|
I 90
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90 toward I 90 West: Missoula
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 90 West: Missoula
5
395.1 mi into trip
|
~6h 51m in
Take the exit toward US 12 East: Helena, Garrison
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 12 East: Helena, Garrison
5
396.3 mi into trip
|
~6h 54m in
|
US 12
At end of road, turn right onto US 12
Navigation decision point
5
409.2 mi into trip
|
~7h 8m in
|
MT 141
Turn sharp left onto MT 141
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
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 Colstrip, MT to Evergreen, MT, road signs begin pointing toward Garrison along the way.
Garrison
395.1 mi in
|
~6h 51m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 278.6 mi | 4h 35m |
| MT 83 | 91.1 mi | 1h 43m |
| I 94 | 87.2 mi | 1h 31m |
| MT 141 | 32.5 mi | 35m |
| MT 39 | 28.5 mi | 42m |
| MT 200 | 23.8 mi | 25m |
| MT 35 | 15.9 mi | 18m |
| US 12 | 12.9 mi | 14m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 278.6 mi, about 4h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Colstrip, MT and Evergreen, MT.
1
Start on Park Street
102 ft
·
4 sec
·
Park Street
2
Continue on Box Elder Avenue
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Box Elder Avenue
3
At end of road, turn right onto MT 39
28 mi
·
42 min
·
MT 39
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
5
Merge onto I 94
87 mi
·
1 hr 31 min
·
I 94
6
Merge onto I 90; US 87; US 212
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
I 90; US 87; US 212
7
Continue on I 90; US 212
113 mi
·
1 hr 51 min
·
I 90; US 212
8
Continue on I 90; US 89; US 191
7.0 mi
·
6 min
·
I 90; US 89; US 191
9
Continue on I 90; US 191
113 mi
·
1 hr 54 min
·
I 90; US 191
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
43 mi
·
39 min
·
I 90
Toward I 90 West: Missoula
11
Take the exit
1.2 mi
·
2 min
Toward US 12 East: Helena, Garrison
12
At end of road, turn right onto US 12
13 mi
·
14 min
·
US 12
13
Turn sharp left onto MT 141
32 mi
·
35 min
·
MT 141
14
At end of road, turn left onto MT 200
24 mi
·
25 min
·
MT 200
15
Turn right onto MT 83
91 mi
·
1 hr 43 min
·
MT 83
16
At end of road, turn right onto MT 35
11 mi
·
13 min
·
MT 35
17
Continue on MT 35
4.5 mi
·
5 min
·
MT 35
Use the straight lane.
18
Turn right onto Helena Flats Road
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
Helena Flats Road
19
Turn left onto East Evergreen Drive
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
East Evergreen Drive
20
Turn left onto US 2
26 ft
·
0 sec
·
La Salle Road
21
Arrive at destination
US 2
Trip Plan
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 drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 286.8 miles from Colstrip, MT, or about 5h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 278.6 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 126 miles or 2h 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 286.8 miles or 5h 5m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 286.8 miles or 5h 5m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 9h 3m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Evergreen, MT than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Colstrip, 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.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Colstrip, MT
Aim for roughly 287 miles and 5.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Evergreen, MT
Aim for roughly 287 miles and 5.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 126 miles from Colstrip, MT.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 90 for about 278.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 286.8 mi from Colstrip, MT · 5h 5m into the drive
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
189 mi into the route
Best for: Coffee, fuel, and an easy first stretch
This is a natural early stop once the first hours of the drive are behind you.
Second major stop
Overnight candidate
379 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in Deer Lodge, MTOvernight Options
Night 1
287 mi · about 5.1h in
A practical overnight split lands near Deer Lodge, MT after about 287 miles or 5.1 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 126 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 286.8 miles from Colstrip, MT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 278.6 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 287 miles or 5.1 hours on the road.
Arriving in Evergreen, MT
The final approach into Evergreen, 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 Evergreen, MT.
On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Evergreen, MT with some flexibility left in the schedule.
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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$90.90 one way
$181.79 round trip
$4.03/gal
25.4 MPG avg
201 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.22 | $95.28 | $190.55 |
| premium | $4.53 | $102.32 | $204.64 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $126.64 | $253.29 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$91
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$221–$331
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 200.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $60 in charging · 2 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 172.1 | 2 | $60.23 | $27.53 |
| Efficient EV | 143.4 | 1 | $50.19 | $22.94 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 229.4 | 2 | $80.30 | $36.71 |
Gas CO2
201 kg
EV CO2
67 kg (67% less)
Plan for 2 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.
Destination
Evergreen, MT
Afternoon in Evergreen on Thursday
Local time
1:29 PM
MDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
71°F
Livingston, MT
189 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
12 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
10h 14m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Colstrip, MT to Evergreen, MT covers 573.6 miles and takes about 10h 14m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 90, MT 83, I 94. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Yes. This route is usually more comfortable as a 2-day drive. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 287 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 286.8 miles from Colstrip, MT. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $90.90 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 573.6 miles you will encounter 14 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (MT 39): Navigation decision point; at 352.4 miles (I 90): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 395.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Colstrip, MT to Evergreen, MT, road signs begin pointing toward Garrison along the way.
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