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Trip from Hamilton, MT to Lockwood, MT

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

6h 34m

Distance

335.4 mi

540 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$53

one way

EV Charging

Good

7 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
6h 22m ★
6 AM
6h 34m
8 AM
6h 59m
10 AM
6h 43m
12 PM
6h 40m
3 PM
6h 44m
5 PM
6h 57m
8 PM
6h 27m

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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Downtown Hamilton, MT, MT

Hamilton, MT

Russ

human settlement in Yellowstone County, Montana, United States of America

Lockwood, MT

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Hamilton, MT to Lockwood, MT covers 335.4 miles and takes about 6h 34m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 90, I 15, Skalkaho Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 135 miles on I 90. At current regular gas prices, budget about $53.15 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

167.7 miles from Hamilton, MT

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 45m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 34m. Total distance: 335.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 34m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (73%). Straightforward navigation.

Drive Character

This is a 6h 34m highway drive covering 335.4 miles, with most of the trip on I 90 and I 15. The longest continuous stretch is about 135 miles on I 90.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 16 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 135 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and I 15. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near US 93 / South 1st Street.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 34m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 8 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (US 93 / South 1st Street): Navigation decision point; at 3 miles (MT 38 / Skalkaho Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 57.1 miles (MT 1 / Pintler Veterans' Memorial Scenic Highway): Navigation decision point.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 8 key points

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

4
0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | US 93 / South 1st Street

Turn right onto US 93 / South 1st Street

Navigation decision point

5
3 mi into trip | ~5m in | MT 38 / Skalkaho Highway

Turn left onto MT 38 / Skalkaho Highway

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
5
57.1 mi into trip | ~1h 42m in | MT 1 / Pintler Veterans' Memorial Scenic Highway

At end of road, turn right onto MT 1 / Pintler Veterans' Memorial Scenic Highway

Navigation decision point

4
88.2 mi into trip | ~2h 26m in

Keep slight right at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

6
102.3 mi into trip | ~2h 39m in | I 15; I 90

Keep slight right at fork onto I 15; I 90

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 90 135 mi 2h 14m
I 15 110.8 mi 1h 51m
Skalkaho Highway 33.1 mi 1h 3m
Pintler Veterans' Memorial Scenic Highway 28.2 mi 38m
Skalkaho Road 21 mi 34m
West Park Avenue 3 mi 4m
South 1st Street 2.8 mi 5m
Johnson Lane 0.4 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 90 — 135 mi, about 2h 14m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Hamilton, MT and Lockwood, MT.

1

Start on S-531

0.2 mi · 51 sec · West Main Street
2

Turn right onto US 93

2.8 mi · 5 min · South 1st Street
3

Turn left onto MT 38

33 mi · 1 hr 3 min · Skalkaho Highway
Use the left lane.
4

Continue on MT 38

21 mi · 34 min · Skalkaho Road
5

At end of road, turn right onto MT 1

21 mi · 31 min · Pintler Veterans' Memorial Scenic Highway
6

Continue on MT 1

3.0 mi · 4 min · West Park Avenue
7

Continue on MT 1

6.9 mi · 7 min · Pintler Veterans' Memorial Scenic Highway
8

Keep slight right at fork

0.7 mi · 59 sec
9

Merge onto I 90

13 mi · 12 min · I 90
10

Keep slight right at fork onto I 15; I 90

111 mi · 1 hr 51 min · I 15; I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Continue on I 90; US 89; US 191

6.9 mi · 6 min · I 90; US 89; US 191
12

Continue on I 90; US 191

113 mi · 1 hr 53 min · I 90; US 191
13

Continue on I 90; US 87; US 212

1.8 mi · 2 min · I 90; US 87; US 212
14

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 39 sec
Toward Johnson Lane
15

Turn left onto Johnson Lane

0.4 mi · 46 sec · Johnson Lane
16

Arrive at destination

Johnson Lane

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 167.7 miles from Hamilton, MT, or about 3h 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 135 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 74 miles or 2h 7m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 167.7 miles or 3h 45m 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 33m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Hamilton, 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 Hamilton, MT

This is one driving day of about 335.4 miles and 6h 34m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 74 miles from Hamilton, 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 I 90 for about 135 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 167.7 mi from Hamilton, MT · 3h 45m into the drive

city in and the county seat of Powell County, Montana, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Deer Lodge, MT

168 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

Deer Lodge, MT

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 74 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Belgrade, MT

Meal break

The midpoint is around 167.7 miles from Hamilton, MT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 135 miles.

Arriving in Lockwood, MT

The final approach into Lockwood, 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 Lockwood, 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.

Nearby Places

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

Top Restaurant

Maria's

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Hamilton, Montana

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Hours: 11 am–7 pm

+14063637710

Red Rooster Artisan Bakery

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Hamilton, Montana

0.3 mi

Coffee Cup Cafe

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Hamilton, Montana

0.4 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Yellowstone Coffee and Canvas

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Billings, Montana

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 335.4

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+14068942073

Visit website

Sophie's Bakery Cafe Espresso

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Manhattan, Montana

1.3 mi

Harvest Moon Coffee Shoppe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Manhattan, Montana

1.1 mi

Maria's

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Hamilton, Montana

Hours: 11 am–7 pm

+14063637710

Red Rooster Artisan Bakery

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Hamilton, Montana

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+14063811129

Visit website

Coffee Cup Cafe

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Hamilton, Montana

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+14063633822

Visit website

The Manhattan Saloon

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30 mile 167.7

Manhattan, Montana

Hours: 11 am–12 pm

+14062846929

Faye's Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 215.6

Livingston, Montana

Hours: 7–11 am

+14062237481

Visit website

The Porch at Nogans

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 167.7

Manhattan, Montana

Hours: 6:30 am–2:30 pm

+14062846464

Black Brew Coffee House

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 287.4

Columbus, Montana

Hours: 6 am–5 pm

+14063215282

Visit website

Manhattan Depot

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20 mile 167.7

Manhattan, Montana

Hours: 9 am–10 pm

+14062820219

Yellowstone Coffee and Canvas

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 335.4

Billings, Montana

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+14068942073

Visit website

Sophie's Bakery Cafe Espresso

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 167.7

Manhattan, Montana

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+14063123452

Visit website

Harvest Moon Coffee Shoppe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 167.7

Manhattan, Montana

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+14065955122

Visit website

Broadway Brew

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 167.7

Manhattan, Montana

Hours: 7 am–1 pm

+14065952424

The Beartooth Beanery

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 287.4

Columbus, Montana

Hours: 6:30 am–2 pm

Early Bird Coffee House

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 287.4

Columbus, Montana

Hours: 5 am–2 pm

Heidi's Coffee Cabin

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 311.4

Laurel, Montana

Hours: 5 am–5 pm

+14066289099

Visit website

1Ō5 Brewing

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 335.4

Billings, Montana

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+14063846999

Visit website

EvGateway Charging Station

1.4 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route

Hamilton, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+19499452000

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 191.6

Bozeman, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18884672669

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 95.8

Butte, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Rivian Adventure Network

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

5 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 191.6

Bozeman, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887484262

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 95.8

Butte, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 191.6

Bozeman, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 47.9

Philipsburg, Montana

+18777861545

Visit website

Claudia Driscoll Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

Hamilton, Montana

Hours: 5 am–8 pm

+14063632101

Visit website

Sacajawea Park and Tennis Courts

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 215.6

Livingston, Montana

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+14062232233

Visit website

Itch-Kep-Pe Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 287.4

Columbus, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 143.7

Whitehall, MT

Hours: Open 24 hours

+14062873541

Visit website

After Rage

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 335.4

Billings, Montana

Hours: 3:30–9 pm

+14063715114

Visit website

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$53.15 one way

$106.30 round trip

$4.03/gal 25.4 MPG avg 117 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.22 $55.71 $111.42
premium $4.53 $59.83 $119.66
diesel $5.61 $74.05 $148.10

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$53

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$78–$103

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 117.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $35 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 100.6 1 $35.22 $16.10
Efficient EV 83.9 0 $29.35 $13.42
EV Truck/SUV 134.2 1 $46.96 $21.47

Gas CO2

117 kg

EV CO2

39 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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Hamilton, MT

Morning in Hamilton on Saturday

Local time

10:16 AM

MDT

Current temp

43°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Lockwood, MT

Morning in Lockwood on Saturday

Local time

10:16 AM

MDT

Current temp

77°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

34 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

6h 34m on the road

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Hamilton, MT to Lockwood, MT covers 335.4 miles and takes about 6h 34m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 90, I 15, Skalkaho Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 167.7 miles from Hamilton, MT. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $53.15 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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 34m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 8 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (US 93 / South 1st Street): Navigation decision point; at 3 miles (MT 38 / Skalkaho Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 57.1 miles (MT 1 / Pintler Veterans' Memorial Scenic Highway): Navigation decision point.

The route from Hamilton, MT to Lockwood, MT does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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