Origin
Miles City, MT
Evening in Miles City on Thursday
Local time
8:04 PM
MDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Miles City, MT to Colstrip, MT
Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026
Drive Time
1h 37m
Distance
80.1 mi
129 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 30m
★
6 AM
1h 37m
8 AM
1h 52m
10 AM
1h 42m
12 PM
1h 41m
3 PM
1h 43m
5 PM
1h 51m
8 PM
1h 33m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Miles City, MT
Wikimedia Commons
Colstrip, MT
Alex Moliski
Trip Overview
The drive from Miles City, MT to Colstrip, MT covers 80.1 miles and takes about 1h 37m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 94, MT 39, I 94 Business for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 47.5 miles on I 94. At current regular gas prices, budget about $12.69 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
40 miles from Miles City, MT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 41m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 37m. Total distance: 80.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
This is a 1h 37m highway drive covering 80.1 miles, with most of the trip on I 94 and MT 39. The longest continuous stretch is about 47.5 miles on I 94.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 9 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 94 is the longest continuous segment at about 47.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and MT 39. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 3.1 miles in near I 94 Business.
Driving Effort
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Miles City, MT to Colstrip, MT is easy. At 1h 37m with 98% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 3.1 miles (I 94 Business): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 3.3 miles (I 94; US 12): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 50.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 5 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
3.1 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
I 94 Business
Keep slight right at fork onto I 94 Business
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
3
3.3 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
I 94; US 12
Merge onto I 94; US 12
Merge point - match speed before joining
3
50.9 mi into trip
|
~52m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
4
51.2 mi into trip
|
~53m in
|
MT 39
Turn left onto MT 39
Navigation decision point
3
79.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 35m in
|
Box Elder Avenue
Turn left onto Box Elder Avenue
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 94 | 47.5 mi | 46m |
| MT 39 | 28.5 mi | 42m |
| I 94 Business | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| Main Street | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Box Elder Avenue | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Park Street | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 47.5 mi, about 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Miles City, MT and Colstrip, MT.
1
Start on MT 59
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Main Street
2
Continue on I 94 Business
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
I 94 Business
3
Take the ramp onto I 94 Business
66 ft
·
1 sec
·
I 94 Business
4
Keep slight right at fork onto I 94 Business
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
I 94 Business
5
Merge onto I 94; US 12
48 mi
·
46 min
·
I 94; US 12
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
7
Turn left onto MT 39
28 mi
·
42 min
·
MT 39
8
Turn left onto Box Elder Avenue
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Box Elder Avenue
9
Arrive at destination
Park Street
Trip Plan
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 40 miles from Miles City, MT, or about 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 47.5 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 18 miles or 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 40 miles or 41m 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 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Colstrip, MT than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Miles City, MT so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Miles City, MT
This is one driving day of about 80.1 miles and 1h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 18 miles from Miles City, MT.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 94 for about 47.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 40 mi from Miles City, MT · 41m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
40 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
First break window
Fuel and coffeeA short stop after about 18 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 40 miles from Miles City, MT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Colstrip, MT
The final approach into Colstrip, MT usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.69 one way
$25.39 round trip
$4.03/gal
25.4 MPG avg
28 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.22 | $13.30 | $26.61 |
| premium | $4.53 | $14.29 | $28.58 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $17.69 | $35.37 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 28 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 24 | 0 | $8.41 | $3.84 |
| Efficient EV | 20 | 0 | $7.01 | $3.20 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 32 | 0 | $11.21 | $5.13 |
Gas CO2
28 kg
EV CO2
9 kg (68% 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
Colstrip, MT
Evening in Colstrip on Thursday
Local time
8:04 PM
MDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
76°F
Forsyth, MT
40 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
2 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 37m 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 Miles City, MT to Colstrip, MT covers 80.1 miles and takes about 1h 37m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 94, MT 39, I 94 Business. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 40 miles from Miles City, MT. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $12.69 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 Miles City, MT to Colstrip, MT is easy. At 1h 37m with 98% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.1 miles (I 94 Business): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 3.3 miles (I 94; US 12): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 50.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
The route from Miles City, MT to Colstrip, MT does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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