Origin
Lewistown, MT
Late night in Lewistown on Friday
Local time
1:11 AM
MDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lewistown, MT to Sidney, MT
Compiled by the Trip.ovh editorial team · Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026 · Methodology
Drive Time
5h 27m
Distance
295.1 mi
475 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$47
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 14m
★
6 AM
5h 28m
8 AM
5h 55m
10 AM
5h 37m
12 PM
5h 34m
3 PM
5h 39m
5 PM
5h 53m
8 PM
5h 20m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lewistown, MT
Wikimedia Commons
Sidney, MT
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Lewistown, MT to Sidney, MT covers 295.1 miles and takes about 5h 27m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US Highway 87, MT 16, MT 200 S for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 196.5 miles on US Highway 87. At current regular gas prices, budget about $46.76 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
147.6 miles from Lewistown, MT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 44m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 27m. Total distance: 295.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
This is a 5h 27m highway drive covering 295.1 miles, with most of the trip on US Highway 87 and MT 16. The longest continuous stretch is about 196.5 miles on US Highway 87.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 13 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US Highway 87 is the longest continuous segment at about 196.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US Highway 87 and MT 16. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near US 87; MT 200 / West Main Street.
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 27m drive. You will face about 6 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (US 87; MT 200 / West Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 241.9 miles: Navigation decision point; at 242.1 miles (I 94): Merge point - match speed before joining.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 6 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 87; MT 200 / West Main Street
Turn right onto US 87; MT 200 / West Main Street
Navigation decision point
4
241.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 26m in
Take the ramp
Navigation decision point
3
242.1 mi into trip
|
~4h 27m in
|
I 94
Merge onto I 94
Merge point - match speed before joining
5
243.4 mi into trip
|
~4h 28m in
Take the exit toward MT 16: Glendive, Sidney
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward MT 16: Glendive, Sidney
4
292.6 mi into trip
|
~5h 24m in
|
MT 16; MT 200 / South Central Avenue
Enter roundabout onto MT 16; MT 200 / South Central Avenue
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US Highway 87 | 196.5 mi | 3h 34m |
| MT 16 | 49 mi | 56m |
| MT 200 S | 43.4 mi | 46m |
| South Central Avenue | 2.5 mi | 2m |
| I 94 | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| Northeast Main Street | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| West Main Street | 0.7 mi | 2m |
| MT 200S | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US Highway 87
— 196.5 mi, about 3h 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lewistown, MT and Sidney, MT.
1
Start on 6th Avenue South
395 ft
·
19 sec
·
6th Avenue South
2
Turn right onto US 87; MT 200
0.7 mi
·
2 min
·
West Main Street
3
Continue on US 87; MT 200
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Northeast Main Street
4
Continue on US 87; MT 200
196 mi
·
3 hr 34 min
·
US Highway 87
5
Continue on MT 200 S
43 mi
·
46 min
·
MT 200 S
6
Continue on MT 200S
520 ft
·
14 sec
·
MT 200S
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
8
Merge onto I 94
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
I 94
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Toward MT 16: Glendive, Sidney
10
Turn left onto MT 16
49 mi
·
56 min
·
MT 16
11
Enter roundabout onto MT 16; MT 200
130 ft
·
1 sec
·
South Central Avenue
12
Continue on MT 16; MT 200
2.5 mi
·
2 min
·
South Central Avenue
13
Arrive at destination
MT 16; MT 200
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 147.6 miles from Lewistown, MT, or about 2h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 196.5 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 65 miles or 1h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 147.6 miles or 2h 44m 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 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sidney, MT than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lewistown, 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 Lewistown, MT
This is one driving day of about 295.1 miles and 5h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 miles from Lewistown, 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 Highway 87 for about 196.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 147.6 mi from Lewistown, MT · 2h 44m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
148 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 65 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 147.6 miles from Lewistown, MT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US Highway 87 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 196.5 miles.
Arriving in Sidney, MT
The final approach into Sidney, 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 Sidney, 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$46.76 one way
$93.53 round trip
$4.03/gal
25.4 MPG avg
103 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.22 | $49.02 | $98.03 |
| premium | $4.53 | $52.64 | $105.28 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $65.15 | $130.31 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$47
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 103.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 88.5 | 1 | $30.99 | $14.16 |
| Efficient EV | 73.8 | 0 | $25.82 | $11.80 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 118 | 1 | $41.31 | $18.89 |
Gas CO2
103 kg
EV CO2
35 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.
Destination
Sidney, MT
Late night in Sidney on Friday
Local time
1:11 AM
MDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
71°F
Glasgow, MT
148 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
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
5h 27m 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 Lewistown, MT to Sidney, MT covers 295.1 miles and takes about 5h 27m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US Highway 87, MT 16, MT 200 S. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 147.6 miles from Lewistown, MT. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $46.76 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 27m drive. You will face about 6 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (US 87; MT 200 / West Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 241.9 miles: Navigation decision point; at 242.1 miles (I 94): Merge point - match speed before joining.
The route from Lewistown, MT to Sidney, MT does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Data sources
The figures on this page are computed from open government and mapping datasets, not crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. Full methodology, refresh cadence, and limitations are documented on the methodology page.
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