Trip from Laurel, MT to Dillon, MT

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

Drive Time

4h 24m

Distance

240.8 mi

388 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$38

one way

EV Charging

Fair

3 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

4h 11m ★

6 AM

4h 25m

8 AM

4h 51m

10 AM

4h 34m

12 PM

4h 31m

3 PM

4h 35m

5 PM

4h 50m

8 PM

4h 17m

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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Trip Overview

The drive from Laurel, MT to Dillon, MT covers 240.8 miles and takes about 4h 24m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 90, West 4th Avenue, Montana Highway 41 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 184.4 miles on I 90. At current regular gas prices, budget about $38.16 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

120.4 miles from Laurel, MT

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 57m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 24m. Total distance: 240.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (88%). Straightforward navigation.

Drive Character

This is a 4h 24m highway drive covering 240.8 miles, with most of the trip on I 90 and West 4th Avenue. The longest continuous stretch is about 184.4 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 184.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and West 4th Avenue. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 185 miles in.

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 4h 24m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 185 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 185.3 miles (MT 55 / Whitetail Road): Navigation decision point; at 185.9 miles (MT 2; MT 55 / West Legion Avenue): 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

185 mi into trip | ~3h in

Take the exit toward MT 55: Whitehall

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward MT 55: Whitehall

5

185.3 mi into trip | ~3h 1m in | MT 55 / Whitetail Road

Turn left onto MT 55 / Whitetail Road

Navigation decision point

4

185.9 mi into trip | ~3h 2m in | MT 2; MT 55 / West Legion Avenue

At end of road, turn right onto MT 2; MT 55 / West Legion Avenue

Navigation decision point

4

212.6 mi into trip | ~3h 41m in | MT 41 / West 4th Avenue

Turn right onto MT 41 / West 4th Avenue

Navigation decision point

5

240.6 mi into trip | ~4h 23m in | North Idaho Street

Turn right onto North Idaho Street

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 90	184.4 mi	2h 59m
West 4th Avenue	27.2 mi	40m
Montana Highway 41	14.4 mi	21m
State Highway 55	9.9 mi	14m
Montana Highway 55	2.1 mi	3m
Montana Street	0.7 mi	1m
North Whitehall Street	0.6 mi	<1m
West Legion Avenue	0.4 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: I 90 — 184.4 mi, about 2h 59m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Laurel, MT and Dillon, MT.

1

Start on US 310; MT S-532

0.4 mi · 37 sec · South 1st Avenue

2

Turn left

0.2 mi · 30 sec

3

Merge onto I 90

184 mi · 2 hr 59 min · I 90

4

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 41 sec

Toward MT 55: Whitehall

5

Turn left onto MT 55

228 ft · 3 sec · Whitetail Road

6

Continue on MT 55

0.6 mi · 52 sec · North Whitehall Street

7

At end of road, turn right onto MT 2; MT 55

0.4 mi · 39 sec · West Legion Avenue

8

Turn left onto MT 55

9.6 mi · 14 min · State Highway 55

9

Turn straight onto MT 55

0.3 mi · 27 sec · State Highway 55

10

Continue on MT 55

2.1 mi · 3 min · Montana Highway 55

11

Continue on MT 41

14 mi · 21 min · Montana Highway 41

12

Turn right onto MT 41

27 mi · 40 min · West 4th Avenue

13

Continue on I 15 Business

0.7 mi · 1 min · Montana Street

14

Turn left onto I 15 Business

356 ft · 15 sec · East Helena Street

15

Turn right onto North Idaho Street

0.2 mi · 43 sec · North Idaho Street

16

Arrive at destination

South Idaho Street

Trip Plan

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 120.4 miles from Laurel, MT, or about 1h 57m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 184.4 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 53 miles or 52m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 120.4 miles or 1h 57m 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 19m

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

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Laurel, 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 Laurel, MT

This is one driving day of about 240.8 miles and 4h 24m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from Laurel, 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 184.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 120.4 mi from Laurel, MT · 1h 57m into the drive

city and the county seat of Gallatin County, Montana, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Bozeman, MT

120 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.

Popular next leg

Bozeman, MT to Dillon, MT

115 mi · 2h 24m

Pacing Suggestions

Big Timber, MT

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 53 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Bozeman, MT

Meal break

The midpoint is around 120.4 miles from Laurel, 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 184.4 miles.

Arriving in Dillon, MT

The final approach into Dillon, 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 Dillon, 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

Los Pinos Mexican Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Livingston, Montana

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 103.2

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+14069461286

Visit website

MacKenzie River Pizza Co.

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Belgrade, Montana

1.7 mi

Taste of Siberia

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Big Timber, Montana

1.9 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Heidi's Coffee Cabin

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Laurel, Montana

Near the start, right off the route

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

Hours: 5 am–5 pm

+14066289099

Visit website

Reel Coffee Co

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Belgrade, Montana

0.6 mi

Revamped Coffee Co

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Belgrade, Montana

1.1 mi

Los Pinos Mexican Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 103.2

Livingston, Montana

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+14069461286

Visit website

MacKenzie River Pizza Co.

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour Moderately mile 137.6

Belgrade, Montana

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+14063880016

Visit website

Taste of Siberia

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 68.8

Big Timber, Montana

Hours: Closed

Faye's Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $10 to $20 mile 103.2

Livingston, Montana

Hours: 7–11 am

+14062237481

Visit website

Copper Horse Restaurant - Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 137.6

Belgrade, Montana

Hours: 4:30 am–8 pm

+14063168129

Visit website

Rice Fine Thai Cuisine - Livingston

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour Moderately mile 103.2

Livingston, Montana

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+14063332289

Visit website

Timber Bar & Grill

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour $10 to $20 mile 68.8

Big Timber, Montana

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+14069324040

Visit website

The Grand Hotel & Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 68.8

Big Timber, Montana

+14069324459

Visit website

Heidi's Coffee Cabin

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

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

Laurel, Montana

Hours: 5 am–5 pm

+14066289099

Visit website

Reel Coffee Co

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 137.6

Belgrade, Montana

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

Revamped Coffee Co

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour Inexpensiv mile 137.6

Belgrade, Montana

Hours: 6 am–3:30 pm

+14069200386

Visit website

Bourbon Coffee Co.

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 137.6

Belgrade, Montana

Hours: 5:30 am–1 pm

The Coffee Stop

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 68.8

Big Timber, Montana

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+14069328646

Visit website

Wildflower Coffee Co.

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 137.6

Belgrade, Montana

Hours: 6:30 am–2 pm

Crazy Mountain Coffee Roasters

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 68.8

Big Timber, Montana

Hours: 8 am–1 pm

+14064046056

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 137.6

Belgrade, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

EV Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 137.6

Belgrade, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+14063887684

ChargePoint Charging Station

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 240.8

Dillon, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Sacajawea Park and Tennis Courts

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 103.2

Livingston, Montana

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+14062232233

Visit website

Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 172

Whitehall, MT

Hours: Open 24 hours

+14062873541

Visit website

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$38.16 one way

$76.32 round trip

$4.03/gal 25.4 MPG avg 84 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.22	$40.00	$79.99
premium	$4.53	$42.96	$85.91
diesel	$5.61	$53.17	$106.33

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$38

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$63–$88

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 84.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	72.2	0	$25.28	$11.56
Efficient EV	60.2	0	$21.07	$9.63
EV Truck/SUV	96.3	1	$33.71	$15.41

Gas CO2

84 kg

EV CO2

28 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

Laurel, MT

Late night in Laurel on Saturday

Local time

4:41 AM

MDT

Current temp

44°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Dillon, MT

Late night in Dillon on Saturday

Local time

4:41 AM

MDT

Current temp

64°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

20 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 24m 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 Laurel, MT to Dillon, MT covers 240.8 miles and takes about 4h 24m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 90, West 4th Avenue, Montana Highway 41. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 120.4 miles from Laurel, MT. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $38.16 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 4h 24m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

The main spots that need attention: at 185 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 185.3 miles (MT 55 / Whitetail Road): Navigation decision point; at 185.9 miles (MT 2; MT 55 / West Legion Avenue): Navigation decision point.

The route from Laurel, MT to Dillon, 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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Trip from Laurel, MT to Dillon, MT

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Who Is This Route For?

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Dillon, MT

Nearby Places

Los Pinos Mexican Restaurant

Heidi's Coffee Cabin

Los Pinos Mexican Restaurant

MacKenzie River Pizza Co.

Taste of Siberia

Faye's Cafe

Copper Horse Restaurant - Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport

Rice Fine Thai Cuisine - Livingston

Timber Bar & Grill

The Grand Hotel & Restaurant

Heidi's Coffee Cabin

Reel Coffee Co

Revamped Coffee Co

Bourbon Coffee Co.

The Coffee Stop

Wildflower Coffee Co.

Crazy Mountain Coffee Roasters

Tesla Supercharger

EV Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Sacajawea Park and Tennis Courts

Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Laurel, MT

Dillon, MT

Same local time

20 degrees warmer at arrival

4h 24m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the trip from Laurel, MT to Dillon, MT?

What are the main roads on this route?

Is this a good same-day trip?

Where should I stop halfway?

How much does gas cost for this trip?

What is the best time to leave?

How many breaks should I plan?

How hard is the drive from Laurel, MT to Dillon, MT?

Where does this route get tricky?

What towns show up on signs driving from Laurel, MT to Dillon, MT?

How this page is built

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