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Trip from Conrad, MT to Billings, MT

Compiled by the Trip.ovh editorial team · Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026 · Methodology

Drive Time

5h 5m

Distance

279.7 mi

450 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$45

one way

EV Charging

Good

7 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 52m ★
6 AM
5h 5m
8 AM
5h 32m
10 AM
5h 14m
12 PM
5h 12m
3 PM
5h 16m
5 PM
5h 31m
8 PM
4h 57m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in and the county seat of Pondera County, Montana, United States

Conrad, MT

Wikimedia Commons

city in and county seat of Yellowstone County, Montana, United States

Billings, MT

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 279.7-mile drive from Conrad, Montana, to Billings, Montana, is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 5 hours and 5 minutes to complete. You'll primarily be on US 87 and US 12, with about 69% of the journey on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $45. Given its relatively short duration and the highway-focused profile, it's well-suited for a single day of travel, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. This journey stays within the Mountain West region, offering a consistent regional experience.

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

139.9 miles from Conrad, MT

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 26m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 5m. Total distance: 279.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (69%). Straightforward navigation.

Drive Character

Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive for this 279.7-mile stretch. With 69% of the route on highways, you'll experience stretches of efficient travel, including a longest uninterrupted segment of 64.3 miles on US 87. The First Special Service Force Memorial Highway also plays a part in this journey. While primarily a highway experience, the road will likely offer varied Montana landscapes as you progress south towards Billings.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 87 is the longest continuous segment at about 64.3 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 87 and First Special Service Force Memorial Highway. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 58.3 miles in near I 15 Business.

Driving Effort 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 5h 5m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 58.3 miles (I 15 Business): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 84.9 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 188.7 miles (US 12; MT 3): Navigation decision point.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 11 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

4
58.3 mi into trip | ~55m in | I 15 Business

Take the exit onto I 15 Business toward I 15 Business

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward I 15 Business
4
84.9 mi into trip | ~1h 27m in

Enter roundabout

Roundabout - know your exit number before entering

4
188.7 mi into trip | ~3h 20m in | US 12; MT 3

Turn left onto US 12; MT 3

Navigation decision point

4
233.8 mi into trip | ~4h 10m in | MT 3

Turn right onto MT 3

Navigation decision point

6
279.5 mi into trip | ~5h 4m in | I 90 Business / Montana Avenue

Turn left onto I 90 Business / Montana Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 87 64.3 mi 1h 9m
First Special Service Force Memorial Highway 57.1 mi 53m
US 12 45.1 mi 50m
MT 3 41 mi 46m
US 191 39.2 mi 43m
10th Avenue South 22.6 mi 25m
MT-3 2.5 mi 2m
North 27th Street 2.2 mi 3m
Longest stretch: US 87 — 64.3 mi, about 1h 9m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Conrad, MT and Billings, MT.

1

Start on I 15 Business

0.9 mi · 1 min · South Main Street
2

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 37 sec
3

Merge onto I 15

57 mi · 53 min · First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
4

Take the exit onto I 15 Business

0.2 mi · 30 sec · I 15 Business
Toward I 15 Business
5

Turn left onto I 15 Business

1.5 mi · 1 min · Central Avenue West
6

Continue on I 15 Business

0.2 mi · 17 sec · First Avenue North Bridge
7

Continue on I 15 Business

1.2 mi · 2 min · 1st Avenue North
8

Turn right onto US 87

0.8 mi · 1 min · 14th Street North
9

Turn left onto US 87; US 89; MT 3; MT 200

23 mi · 25 min · 10th Avenue South
10

Enter roundabout

224 ft · 2 sec
11

Continue

0.3 mi · 20 sec
12

Turn straight onto US 87; MT 3; MT 200

64 mi · 1 hr 9 min · US 87; MT 3; MT 200
13

Turn right onto US 191; MT 3

39 mi · 43 min · US 191; MT 3
14

Turn left onto US 12; MT 3

45 mi · 50 min · US 12; MT 3
15

Turn right onto MT 3

12 mi · 14 min · MT 3
16

Continue on MT-3

2.5 mi · 2 min · MT-3
17

Continue on MT 3

25 mi · 28 min · MT 3
18

Enter roundabout onto MT 3

123 ft · 1 sec · MT 3
19

Continue on MT 3

3.1 mi · 3 min · MT 3
20

Enter roundabout onto North 27th Street

36 ft · 0 sec · North 27th Street
21

Continue on North 27th Street

2.2 mi · 3 min · North 27th Street
Use the straight lane.
22

Turn left onto I 90 Business

0.2 mi · 33 sec · Montana Avenue
Use the left lane.
23

Arrive at destination

I 90 Business

Trip Plan

Given the 5-hour duration, starting your drive in the morning will allow you to arrive in Billings with plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing yourself. The estimated fuel cost of $45 is a good budget point to keep in mind. Pay attention to road conditions, especially on US 87, as it represents the longest continuous stretch. This route is efficient enough that you can easily adjust your departure time based on weather or your schedule.

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 139.9 miles from Conrad, MT, or about 2h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 64.3 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 62 miles or 1h 1m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 139.9 miles or 2h 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 4h 5m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Billings, MT than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Conrad, 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 Conrad, MT

This is one driving day of about 279.7 miles and 5h 5m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 miles from Conrad, 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 US 87 for about 64.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 139.9 mi from Conrad, MT · 2h 26m into the drive

city in and county seat of Fergus County, Montana, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Lewistown, MT

140 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.

Pacing Suggestions

Great Falls, MT

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 62 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lewistown, MT

Meal break

The midpoint is around 139.9 miles from Conrad, MT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 87 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 64.3 miles.

Arriving in Billings, MT

The final approach into Billings, 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 Billings, MT.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Coffee To Go-Drive Thru

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Great Falls, Montana

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $1 to $10 mile 59.9

Hours: 6:30 am–1:30 pm

+14064525903

Electric City Coffee, Coffee House and Bakery

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Great Falls, Montana

0.7 mi

NaRa Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Billings, Montana

0.9 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Folklore Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Conrad, Montana

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $1 to $10

Hours: 7:30 am–4:30 pm

+14064502760

Visit website

Marble Coffee Co

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Billings, Montana

0.2 mi

Bearded Bean Coffee Co

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Billings, Montana

0.5 mi

Coffee To Go-Drive Thru

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $1 to $10 mile 59.9

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 6:30 am–1:30 pm

+14064525903

Electric City Coffee, Coffee House and Bakery

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 59.9

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+14064524529

Visit website

NaRa Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 279.7

Billings, Montana

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+14062458866

Visit website

Stompin Grounds

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 279.7

Billings, Montana

Hours: 9 am–4 pm

+16194956551

Paniolo Cafe

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 59.9

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 9 am–2 pm

+14063152565

Visit website

Luna Coffee Bar

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 59.9

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+14066040101

Visit website

Brian's Top Notch Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 59.9

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+14067274255

Visit website

Wheat Montana Great Falls

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 59.9

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+14067717456

Visit website

Folklore Coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $1 to $10

Conrad, Montana

Hours: 7:30 am–4:30 pm

+14064502760

Visit website

Marble Coffee Co

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 279.7

Billings, Montana

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+14063847764

Visit website

Bearded Bean Coffee Co

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 279.7

Billings, Montana

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+14066967859

Java Hut

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $1 to $10

Conrad, Montana

Hours: 6:30 am–5 pm

+14062785154

Crooked Tree Coffee Downtown

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 59.9

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+14063151221

Visit website

Black Dog Coffee House x 10th Ave

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 279.7

Billings, Montana

Hours: 6:30 am–2 pm

+14062818550

Visit website

Great Harvest Bread Co.

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 59.9

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 6 am–5 pm

+14064526941

Visit website

AMP coffee

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 59.9

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+14067271162

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 59.9

Great Falls, Montana

+14069524444

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 59.9

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 59.9

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 59.9

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

TurnOnGreen Charging Station

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 59.9

Great Falls, Montana

+15106572635

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 59.9

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 59.9

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 59.9

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+14069524444

Visit website

Wise Wonders Science and Discovery Museum

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 279.7

Billings, Montana

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+14067021280

Visit website

Duck Pond | Gibson Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 59.9

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 6 am–9:30 pm

+14067711265

Visit website

After Rage

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 279.7

Billings, Montana

Hours: 3:30–9 pm

+14063715114

Visit website

Bloom and Bean

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 59.9

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 9 am–6 pm

+14063151609

Visit website

Haute Hive

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 59.9

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+14069524663

Visit website

Escape the Falls Escape Rooms

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 59.9

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 1–8:30 pm

+14062858410

Visit website

In Cahoots for Tea

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 59.9

Great Falls, Montana

Hours: 10 am–4:30 pm

+14064522225

Visit website

DanWalt Botanical Gardens

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 279.7

Billings, Montana

Hours: 9 am–5:30 pm

+14062484003

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$44.54 one way

$89.09 round trip

$4.03/gal 25.4 MPG avg 98 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.22 $46.69 $93.38
premium $4.53 $50.14 $100.29
diesel $5.61 $62.06 $124.13

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$45

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$70–$95

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 98.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

7 DC fast chargers · Coverage: good

Town Pump Travel Center - Tesla Supercharger

Billings, MT

Tesla

12 DCFC

Great Falls Hampton Inn - Tesla Supercharger

Great Falls, MT

Tesla

8 DCFC

Billings Big Horn Resort - Tesla Supercharger

Billings, MT

Tesla

4 DCFC

Target T1333 (Billings, MT)

Billings, MT

Electrify America

4 DCFC

Great Falls Subaru

Great Falls, MT

EV Connect

2 DCFC

Denny Menholt Nissan

Billings, MT

NAYAX_ENERGY

2 DCFC

D Menholt Nissan - Billings

Billings, MT

IN_CHARGE

1 DCFC

Tesla: 3 EV Connect: 1 NAYAX_ENERGY: 1 IN_CHARGE: 1 Electrify America: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 83.9 1 $29.37 $13.43
Efficient EV 69.9 0 $24.47 $11.19
EV Truck/SUV 111.9 1 $39.16 $17.90

Gas CO2

98 kg

EV CO2

33 kg (66% 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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Conrad, MT

Night in Conrad on Thursday

Local time

11:46 PM

MDT

Current temp

66°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Billings, MT

Night in Billings on Thursday

Local time

11:46 PM

MDT

Current temp

74°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

65°F

Lewistown, MT

140 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

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

8 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

5h 5m 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 Conrad, MT to Billings, MT covers 279.7 miles and takes about 5h 5m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 87, First Special Service Force Memorial Highway, US 12. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 139.9 miles from Conrad, MT. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $44.32 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 5h 5m drive. You will face about 11 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 58.3 miles (I 15 Business): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 84.9 miles: Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 188.7 miles (US 12; MT 3): Navigation decision point.
The route from Conrad, MT to Billings, MT does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Billings, MT to Conrad, MT

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