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Trip from Miles City, MT to Colstrip, MT

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

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

Save up to 22 min
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.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in and county seat of Custer County, Montana, United States

Miles City, MT

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Colstrip, MT, MT

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 mostly highway. 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 .

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.

city in and county seat of Rosebud County, Montana, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Forsyth, MT

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 coffee

A short stop after about 18 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Forsyth, MT

Meal break

The midpoint is around 40 miles from Miles City, MT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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

The Farmhouse Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Miles City, Montana

Near the start, right off the route

0 mi from route $10 to $20

Hours: 8 am–1 pm

+14062346731

Vintage and Rustics in Montana

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Miles City, MT

0.3 mi

Montana Bar

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Miles City, Montana

0.5 mi

Top Coffee Stop

The Ruby

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Miles City, Montana

Near the start, right off the route

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

Hours: 6:15 am–2 pm

+14062347829

The Ugly Mug

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Miles City, Montana

0.5 mi

Main Street Grind

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Miles City, Montana

0.4 mi

The Farmhouse Cafe

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0 mi from route $10 to $20

Miles City, Montana

Hours: 8 am–1 pm

+14062346731

Vintage and Rustics in Montana

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

Miles City, MT

Hours: 7:30 am–4:30 pm

+14062347878

Visit website

Montana Bar

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

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

Miles City, Montana

Hours: 10 am–2 pm

+14062345809

Visit website

Remember When Cafe inside Vintage and Rustics in Montana

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

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

Miles City, Montana

Hours: 7:30 am–3 pm

+14062347878

Visit website

Hole In the Wall Family Dining

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

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

Miles City, Montana

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+14062343860

Black Iron Grill Rotisserie

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30

Miles City, Montana

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+14062344766

Visit website

The Joseph Café with Iron Horse Saloon and Casino

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20 mile 45.8

Forsyth, Montana

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+14063468667

Visit website

June's Bungalow

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $10 to $20

Miles City, Montana

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+14062349977

Visit website

The Ruby

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

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

Miles City, Montana

Hours: 6:15 am–2 pm

+14062347829

The Ugly Mug

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

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

Miles City, Montana

Hours: 6:30 am–2 pm

+14068748459

Visit website

Main Street Grind

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

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

Miles City, Montana

Hours: 6:30 am–2 pm

+14062344664

Scoop MT

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

Miles City, Montana

Hours: 9 am–5:30 pm

+14062341915

City Brew Coffee

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour Moderately

Miles City, Montana

Hours: 5:30 am–3 pm

+14062346106

Visit website

Cattle Brand Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 45.8

Forsyth, Montana

Hours: 6:30 am–2:30 pm

+14063519453

Visit website

Mountain Mudd Espresso (Miles City)

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $10 to $20

Miles City, Montana

Hours: 5:30 am–8 pm

+14062255657

Visit website

Girl Ran Away With the Spoon

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Miles City, Montana

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+14062341525

Visit website

Unique Creations

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10

Miles City, Montana

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+14062341008

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 5

5 decision points cluster between mile 3.1 and 79.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

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

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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Miles City, MT

Morning in Miles City on Saturday

Local time

11:34 AM

MDT

Current temp

75°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Colstrip, MT

Morning in Colstrip on Saturday

Local time

11:34 AM

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.

What kind of drive is this?

80.1 mi in 1h 37m, mostly highway — 47.5 mi of that is on I 94.

98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
9 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 47.5 mi on I 94.

How Hard Is This Drive?

2/10

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.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 47.5 miles on I 94. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.

Mostly yes along the main roads, but rural stretches through MT can have sparse or no coverage. Before you leave, download offline Google Maps or Apple Maps for the route, and consider downloading music or podcasts instead of streaming. If you depend on data for navigation, keep a paper backup of the turn-by-turn directions.

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.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Colstrip, MT before heading back.

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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