Origin
West Yellowstone, MT
Evening in West Yellowstone on Sunday
Local time
7:22 PM
MDT
Current temp
29°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from West Yellowstone, MT to Bozeman, MT
Drive Time
1h 46m
Distance
89.3 mi
144 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$14
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 38m
★
6 AM
1h 46m
8 AM
2h 2m
10 AM
1h 52m
12 PM
1h 50m
3 PM
1h 52m
5 PM
2h 1m
8 PM
1h 41m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bozeman, MT
John De Leon
Trip Overview
Traveling from West Yellowstone to Bozeman is a straightforward 89.3-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 46 minutes. Because of the relatively short distance, this trip is easily manageable as a single-day excursion, requiring no overnight stops along the way. You will primarily navigate via Firehole Avenue, Canyon Street, and Gallatin Road as you transition between these two Mountain West locations. Budgeting roughly $12 for fuel should cover your needs for this transit. Whether you are heading north for business or recreation, this route offers a functional connection between these Montana hubs without the need for complex trip planning.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
44.7 miles from West Yellowstone, MT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 53m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate cruise, as this route consists of 0% highway travel. You will navigate local roads throughout the entire 89.3-mile duration, meaning your focus will be on consistent maneuvering rather than long, straight stretches. The longest uninterrupted section is 0 miles on Firehole Avenue, which highlights the winding, localized nature of the path. This profile creates a more hands-on driving experience, as you transition steadily through the local infrastructure connecting the two towns.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 11 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Firehole Avenue is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from West Yellowstone, MT to Bozeman, MT is easy. At 1h 46m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from West Yellowstone, MT to Bozeman, MT is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Firehole Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Canyon Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Gallatin Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Huffine Lane | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| West Main Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| West Babcock Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South 11th Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South Willson Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
Firehole Avenue
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between West Yellowstone, MT and Bozeman, MT.
1
Start on Electric Street
39 ft
·
4 sec
·
Electric Street
2
Turn right onto Firehole Avenue
0.2 mi
·
48 sec
·
Firehole Avenue
3
Turn left onto Canyon Street
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
Canyon Street
4
Continue on Gallatin Road
82 mi
·
1 hr 41 min
·
Gallatin Road
5
Turn right onto Huffine Lane
5.3 mi
·
7 min
·
Huffine Lane
6
Continue on West Main Street
0.7 mi
·
59 sec
·
West Main Street
7
Turn right onto West Babcock Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
West Babcock Street
8
At the end of the road, turn right onto South 11th Avenue
36 ft
·
7 sec
·
South 11th Avenue
9
Turn left onto West Babcock Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
West Babcock Street
10
Turn left onto South Willson Avenue
502 ft
·
13 sec
·
South Willson Avenue
11
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since this 1-hour and 46-minute drive is quite short, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time to fit your personal schedule. While the route is direct, keep in mind that the turn-heavy nature of the local roads may make the drive feel longer than the mileage suggests, so factor in extra time if you prefer a relaxed pace. You won't need to plan for formal rest stops given the short duration, but ensuring your fuel tank is ready for the $12 estimated cost before you leave West Yellowstone is a smart move. Because you are primarily utilizing local roads like Gallatin Road, stay alert to changing speed limits and local traffic patterns as you move between regions.
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 44.7 miles from West Yellowstone, MT, or about 53m into the drive.
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 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 44.7 miles or 53m 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 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bozeman, MT than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving West Yellowstone, 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 West Yellowstone, MT
This is one driving day of about 89.3 miles and 1h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from West Yellowstone, MT.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 44.7 mi from West Yellowstone, MT · 53m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
45 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 44.7 miles from West Yellowstone, MT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Bozeman, MT
The final approach into Bozeman, 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 Bozeman, MT.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.15 one way
$28.30 round trip
$4.03/gal
25.4 MPG avg
31 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.23 | $14.88 | $29.75 |
| premium | $4.53 | $15.92 | $31.85 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $19.84 | $39.68 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$14
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$39–$64
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 31.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 26.8 | 0 | $9.38 | $4.29 |
| Efficient EV | 22.3 | 0 | $7.81 | $3.57 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 35.7 | 0 | $12.50 | $5.72 |
Gas CO2
31 kg
EV CO2
10 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
Bozeman, MT
Evening in Bozeman on Sunday
Local time
7:22 PM
MDT
Current temp
34°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
32°F
Livingston, MT
45 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
1h 46m 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 West Yellowstone, MT to Bozeman, MT covers 89.3 miles and takes about 1h 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Firehole Avenue, Canyon Street, Gallatin Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 44.7 miles from West Yellowstone, MT. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $14.15 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 West Yellowstone, MT to Bozeman, MT is easy. At 1h 46m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from West Yellowstone, MT to Bozeman, MT is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from West Yellowstone, MT to Bozeman, MT does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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