Conrad to Livingston is 267.9 miles and takes about 4h 35m via First Special Service Force Memorial Highway and I 90, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This one-day trip stays within Montana, moving from the Mountain West region to another part of the Mountain West. You'll experience a mixed drive profile, suggesting a blend of highway speeds and potentially more varied road conditions. Given the relatively short duration, this route is well-suited for a single-day journey, allowing for a straightforward transit between these two Montana locations.
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
133.9 miles from Conrad, MT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 9m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 35m. Total distance: 267.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (45%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
This drive offers a mixed experience, with 45% of your journey on highways. You'll encounter stretches on the First Special Service Force Memorial Highway and I 90, as well as US 12. The longest uninterrupted drive segment covers 145.1 miles on the First Special Service Force Memorial Highway, so be prepared for an extended period of continuous driving on this particular road. The profile suggests that the character of the drive will change as you progress, moving from potentially more open highway to other road types.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
First Special Service Force Memorial Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 145.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 7 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 146.3 miles in near US 287.
Driving Effort5/10
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 267.9 miles you will encounter 7 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 146.3 miles (US 287): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 209.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 264.9 miles (I 90 Business): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
146.3 mi into trip|~2h 20m in|US 287
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
Exit 192
Toward US 12 South, US 287 South: Townsend, Cap...
6
209.3 mi into trip|~3h 33m in
Take the exit toward I 90 East: Billings
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 90 East: Billings
4
264.9 mi into trip|~4h 29m in|I 90 Business
Take the exit onto I 90 Business toward I 90 Business: Livingston
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 90 Business: Livingston
4
265.1 mi into trip|~4h 30m in|I 90 Business
Turn left onto I 90 Business
Navigation decision point
5
267.5 mi into trip|~4h 34m in|I 90 Business / West Park Street
Turn left onto I 90 Business / West Park Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
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 Conrad, MT to Livingston, MT, road signs begin pointing toward Capitol Area along the way.
Capitol Area
146.3 mi in|~2h 20m|via US 287
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
145.1 mi
2h 18m
I 90
55.4 mi
56m
US 12
34.1 mi
40m
US 287
27.9 mi
30m
I 90 Business
2.6 mi
4m
Prospect Avenue
1 mi
1m
South Main Street
0.9 mi
1m
West Park Street
0.4 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
— 145.1 mi, about 2h 18m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Conrad, MT and Livingston, 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
145 mi·2 hr 18 min·First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
4
Take the exit onto US 287
0.2 mi·33 sec·US 287
Exit 192Toward US 12 South, US 287 South: Townsend, Capitol Area
5
Turn left onto US 12; US 287
1.0 mi·1 min·Prospect Avenue
6
Continue on US 12; US 287
3.6 mi·5 min·US 12; US 287
7
Continue on US 12; US 287
0.3 mi·26 sec·US 12; US 287
8
Continue on US 12; US 287
30 mi·34 min·US 12; US 287
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on US 287
2.3 mi·2 min·US 287
Use the straight lane.
10
Continue on US 287
1.2 mi·1 min·US 287
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on US 287
1.4 mi·1 min·US 287
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on US 287
23 mi·24 min·US 287
Use the straight lane.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward I 90 East: Billings
14
Merge onto I 90
55 mi·56 min·I 90
15
Take the exit onto I 90 Business
0.2 mi·32 sec·I 90 Business
Toward I 90 Business: Livingston
16
Turn left onto I 90 Business
2.4 mi·3 min·I 90 Business
17
Turn left onto I 90 Business
0.4 mi·1 min·West Park Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
18
Arrive at destination
I 90 Business
Trip Plan
With a total duration of around 4 hours and 35 minutes, this is a drive you can comfortably complete in a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to allow for flexibility and potential unexpected delays. The longest stretch is over 145 miles, so plan your fuel stops accordingly; consult your fuel cost estimate of $42 to gauge your needs. Make sure to check road conditions before you leave, especially if traveling during shoulder seasons, as weather can impact the drive. Consider a brief stop around the halfway mark to stretch your legs before continuing to Livingston.
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 133.9 miles from Conrad, MT, or about 2h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 145.1 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 59 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 133.9 miles or 2h 9m 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 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Livingston, 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 267.9 miles and 4h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 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 First Special Service Force Memorial Highway for about 145.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 133.9 mi from Conrad, MT
· 2h 9m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.45 one way
$84.91 round trip
$4.03/gal25.4 MPG avg94 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$44.50
$89.00
premium
$4.53
$47.79
$95.58
diesel
$5.61
$59.15
$118.30
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
12 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Tesla Destination Charger
Great Falls, Montana
Tesla Destination
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Belgrade, Montana
Tesla
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Great Falls, Montana
Tesla
1 DCFC
EV Charging Station
Belgrade, Montana
Other
1 DCFC
Blink Charging Station
Great Falls, Montana
Blink
1 DCFC
ChargePoint Charging Station
Great Falls, Montana
ChargePoint
1 DCFC
TurnOnGreen Charging Station
Great Falls, Montana
Other
1 DCFC
Blink Charging Station
Great Falls, Montana
Blink
1 DCFC
ChargePoint: 3
Tesla Destination: 2
Tesla: 2
Other: 2
Blink: 2
EV Connect: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
80.4
0
$28.13
$12.86
Efficient EV
67
0
$23.44
$10.72
EV Truck/SUV
107.2
1
$37.51
$17.15
Gas CO2
94 kg
EV CO2
31 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Conrad, MT
Late night
in Conrad on Saturday
Local time
5:59 AM
MDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Livingston, MT
Late night
in Livingston on Saturday
Local time
5:59 AM
MDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
5 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
4h 35m 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 Livingston, MT covers 267.9 miles and takes about 4h 35m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are First Special Service Force Memorial Highway, I 90, US 12. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 133.9 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 $42.45 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 267.9 miles you will encounter 7 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 146.3 miles (US 287): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 209.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 264.9 miles (I 90 Business): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
On the drive from Conrad, MT to Livingston, MT, road signs begin pointing toward Capitol Area along the way.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
