Drive Time
5h 15m
Distance
346.6 mi
558 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$55
one way
Photo: John De Leon
The drive from Orchard Homes, MT to Billings, MT covers 346.6 miles and takes about 5h 15m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on South Reserve Street, Mount Avenue, South 14th Street West for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $54.92 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
173.3 miles from Orchard Homes, MT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 37m into the drive .
Expect a 5h 15m drive with frequent turns across 346.6 miles of local and secondary roads.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 5h 15m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Orchard Homes, MT to Billings, MT is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South Reserve Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Mount Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South 14th Street West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Brooks Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South Higgins Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South 6th Street East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Arthur Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Madison Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Orchard Homes, MT and Billings, MT.
Start on South 7th Street West
Turn right onto South Reserve Street
Turn left onto Mount Avenue
Continue on South 14th Street West
Continue on Mount Avenue
Turn left onto Brooks Street
Continue on South Higgins Avenue
Turn right onto South 6th Street East
Turn left onto Arthur Avenue
Continue on Madison Street
Take the exit slight right
Turn left onto Van Buren Street
Take the exit right
Merge slight left onto Jeannette Rankin Memorial Highway
Keep slight right
Continue straight
Continue straight
Take the exit slight right toward I 90 Business: West Billings
Keep slight left to continue on I 90 Business: City Center
Keep slight left to continue on Montana Avenue
Continue on Montana Avenue
Arrive at your destination
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.
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 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 173.3 miles or 2h 37m 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 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Billings, MT than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Orchard Homes, 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 Orchard Homes, MT
This is one driving day of about 346.6 miles and 5h 15m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 173.3 mi from Orchard Homes, MT · 2h 37m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
173 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 173.3 miles from Orchard Homes, MT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Regular Gas
$54.92 one way
$109.85 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.23 | $57.73 | $115.47 |
| premium | $4.53 | $61.80 | $123.60 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $77.00 | $154.01 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$55
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$80–$105
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 121.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 104 | 1 | $36.39 | $16.64 |
| Efficient EV | 86.7 | 0 | $30.33 | $13.86 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 138.6 | 1 | $48.52 | $22.18 |
Gas CO2
121 kg
EV CO2
41 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Afternoon in Orchard Homes on Saturday
Local time
4:59 PM
MDT
Current temp
33°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Afternoon in Billings on Saturday
Local time
4:59 PM
MDT
Current temp
40°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
30°F
Whitehall, MT
173 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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