Origin
Lame Deer, MT
Night in Lame Deer on Sunday
Local time
10:07 PM
MDT
Current temp
50°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lame Deer, MT to Billings, MT
Drive Time
1h 38m
Distance
104.1 mi
167 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$17
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 31m
★
6 AM
1h 39m
8 AM
1h 53m
10 AM
1h 44m
12 PM
1h 42m
3 PM
1h 44m
5 PM
1h 53m
8 PM
1h 34m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lame Deer, MT
Thomas P
Billings, MT
John De Leon
Trip Overview
Spanning 104.1 miles across Montana, this trek from Lame Deer to Billings is an efficient journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 38 minutes. Because the total duration is quite short, you can easily complete this trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $14 on fuel, making this an affordable transit between the two Mountain West communities. You will navigate a combination of Highway 212, I-90, and Highway 87 East to reach your destination. Whether you are heading to the city for business or personal travel, the straightforward nature of this route makes it a practical choice for your itinerary.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
52 miles from Lame Deer, MT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 49m into the drive .
Drive Character
This drive is best described as a turn-heavy local route rather than a monotonous interstate haul. You will not encounter any extended stretches of highway, as there are zero miles of sustained, uninterrupted driving on Highway 212. Instead, the road demands your attention as you navigate through various segments, including time on I-90 and Highway 87 East. The lack of a high highway percentage means you should prepare for a more hands-on experience behind the wheel. It is a functional path that shifts in character as you transition between local roads and the interstate system.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 10 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Highway 212 is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Lame Deer, MT to Billings, MT is easy. At 1h 38m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Lame Deer, MT to Billings, MT is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Highway 212 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 90 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Highway 87 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 1st Avenue North | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North 25th Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Montana Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
Highway 212
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lame Deer, MT and Billings, MT.
1
Start on the route
384 ft
·
6 sec
·
the route
2
Exit the roundabout onto US Highway 212
42 mi
·
49 min
·
US Highway 212
3
Take the exit slight right
430 ft
·
11 sec
4
Continue straight
58 mi
·
55 min
5
Take the exit slight right toward I 90 Business, US 87 North: Lockwood, Roundup
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
I 90 Business, US 87 North: Lockwood, Roundup
6
Merge slight left onto US Highway 87 East
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
US Highway 87 East
7
At the end of the road, turn left onto 1st Avenue North
1.2 mi
·
3 min
·
1st Avenue North
8
Turn left onto North 25th Street
374 ft
·
16 sec
·
North 25th Street
9
Turn left onto Montana Avenue
167 ft
·
6 sec
·
Montana Avenue
10
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since the entire trip is just over 100 miles, you have significant flexibility with your departure time, allowing you to tailor the drive to your personal schedule. With no mandatory stops required to complete the journey, you can push through the 1 hour and 38 minutes in one go if you prefer. Keep in mind that because this is a turn-heavy local drive, you should stay alert for road transitions when moving between Highway 212 and I-90. Budget roughly $14 for gas before you leave Lame Deer to ensure you have enough fuel for the full distance. Taking advantage of the short drive time gives you the freedom to reach Billings early in the day for your planned activities.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 52 miles from Lame Deer, MT, or about 49m into the drive.
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 80 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 52 miles or 49m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 20m
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 Lame Deer, 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 Lame Deer, MT
This is one driving day of about 104.1 miles and 1h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Lame Deer, MT.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 52 mi from Lame Deer, MT · 49m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
52 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 52 miles from Lame Deer, MT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.50 one way
$32.99 round trip
$4.03/gal
25.4 MPG avg
36 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.23 | $17.34 | $34.68 |
| premium | $4.53 | $18.56 | $37.12 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $23.13 | $46.25 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 36.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 31.2 | 0 | $10.93 | $5.00 |
| Efficient EV | 26 | 0 | $9.11 | $4.16 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 41.6 | 0 | $14.57 | $6.66 |
Gas CO2
36 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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
Billings, MT
Night in Billings on Sunday
Local time
10:07 PM
MDT
Current temp
40°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
10 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
1h 38m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Lame Deer, MT to Billings, MT covers 104.1 miles and takes about 1h 38m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Highway 212, I 90, Highway 87 East. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 52 miles from Lame Deer, MT. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $16.50 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
The drive from Lame Deer, MT to Billings, MT is easy. At 1h 38m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Lame Deer, MT to Billings, MT is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Lame Deer, MT to Billings, MT does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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