Anaconda, MT to Billings, MT is 249 miles and takes about 4h 13m via I 90, I 15, and Pintler Veterans' Memorial Scenic Highway, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within the Mountain West region, primarily traversing Montana. Expect a mostly highway experience, making it a straightforward drive. With a recommended one-day duration, it's ideal for a quick transit between these two points.
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
124.5 miles from Anaconda, MT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 5m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
125.6 mi
2h 3m
I 15
110.8 mi
1h 51m
Pintler Veterans' Memorial Scenic Highway
6.9 mi
7m
Montana Avenue
2.2 mi
4m
I 90 Business
2.1 mi
3m
East Park Avenue
0.7 mi
1m
Ash Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
East Commercial Avenue
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 125.6 mi, about 2h 3m
Traffic on I-90
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 24 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~791 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,001
Quietest
2 AM
~46 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Anaconda, MT and Billings, MT.
1
Start on MT 1
107 ft·7 sec·East Commercial Avenue
2
Turn left onto Ash Street
383 ft·22 sec·Ash Street
3
Turn left onto MT 1
0.7 mi·1 min·East Park Avenue
4
Continue on MT 1
6.9 mi·7 min·Pintler Veterans' Memorial Scenic Highway
5
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi·59 sec
6
Merge onto I 90
13 mi·12 min·I 90
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 15; I 90
111 mi·1 hr 51 min·I 15; I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 90; US 89; US 191
6.9 mi·6 min·I 90; US 89; US 191
9
Continue on I 90; US 191
105 mi·1 hr 44 min·I 90; US 191
10
Take the exit onto I 90 Business
0.4 mi·47 sec·I 90 Business
Toward I 90 Business: West Billings
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90 Business
1.7 mi·2 min·I 90 Business
Toward I 90 Business: City Center
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90 Business
1.3 mi·2 min·Montana Avenue
13
Continue on I 90 Business
0.9 mi·2 min·Montana Avenue
14
Arrive at destination
I 90 Business
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 13m estimated drive time, leaving in the morning will give you plenty of daylight to reach Billings comfortably. While this is a one-day trip, the 249 miles are easily manageable. The longest stretch without a significant break is over 125 miles, so consider a quick stop around the halfway point for fuel or a stretch. With a fuel cost estimated at $41, it's a budget-friendly drive. Make sure to check your fuel levels before departing Anaconda, as services can be spread out in Montana.
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 124.5 miles from Anaconda, MT, or about 2h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 125.6 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 55 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 124.5 miles or 2h 5m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Billings, MT than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Anaconda, 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 Anaconda, MT
This is one driving day of about 249 miles and 4h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Anaconda, 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 I 90 for about 125.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 8
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 245.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Ash Street
Turn left onto Ash Street
Navigation decision point
4
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|MT 1 / East Park Avenue
Turn left onto MT 1 / East Park Avenue
Navigation decision point
4
7.7 mi into trip|~8m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
6
21.7 mi into trip|~22m in|I 15; I 90
Keep slight right at fork onto I 15; I 90
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
245.1 mi into trip|~4h 5m in|I 90 Business
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90 Business toward I 90 Business: City Center
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 90 Business: City Center
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.81 one way
$77.62 round trip
$3.96/gal25.4 MPG avg87 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.17
$40.91
$81.82
premium
$4.47
$43.86
$87.72
diesel
$4.80
$47.02
$94.03
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 87.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
74.7
0
$26.15
$11.95
Efficient EV
62.3
0
$21.79
$9.96
EV Truck/SUV
99.6
1
$34.86
$15.94
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Jul 14, 2026
Origin
Anaconda, MT
Late night
in Anaconda on Sunday
Local time
12:45 AM
MDT
Current temp
56°F
Partly Cloudy
WNW 0 to 6 mph10% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 13 at 8:32PM MDT until July 13 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Great Falls MT
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 13 at 8:28PM MDT until July 13 at 9:45PM MDT by NWS Great Falls MT
Destination
Billings, MT
Late night
in Billings on Sunday
Local time
12:45 AM
MDT
Current temp
70°F
Partly Cloudy
NNE 6 to 12 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 13 at 8:32PM MDT until July 13 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Great Falls MT
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 13 at 8:28PM MDT until July 13 at 9:45PM MDT by NWS Great Falls MT
94°F
Livingston, MT
125 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
14 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
4h 13m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll be on highways for about 96% of this 249-mile trip, meaning you'll encounter minimal surface roads. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 125.6 miles, primarily on I 90. Expect mostly rural cruising with occasional urban merging as you pass through towns. The transition from highway to surface roads will be minimal, so plan for sustained driving.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 125.6 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and I 15. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Ash Street.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 249 miles you will encounter 8 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Ash Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (MT 1 / East Park Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 7.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Anaconda is a city in southwestern Montana. In the 2020 census, the population was 9,400. It is located in a valley of the Deer Lodge National Forest, giving impressive views and plenty of nearby outdoor activities.
Top landmarks
•Anaconda Smelter Stack — smoke stack at Anaconda, Montana, USA
•Butte-Anaconda Historic District — historic district in Montana, United States
•Ancient Order of Hibernians Hall — former building in Anaconda, Montana, USA
Billings is the largest city in Montana in Yellowstone County, with an estimated 110,000 people (2019). As a destination, Billings does a significant amount of convention business and is also the host to various regional events such as music festivals, athletic contests, rodeos, and outdoor activities. Billings hosts the largest hospitals in a 500-mile radius, as such the medical profession is a major source of employment in the area. Billings is also a frequent overnight or meal stop for westbound visitors to Yellowstone National Park, as it is the last major city for visitors going to the park via the Beartooth Highway.
Top landmarks
•Masonic Temple — building in Billings, Montana
•United States Post Office and Courthouse–Billings — post office in Billings, United States of America
•Northern Hotel — historic hotel in Billings, Montana, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 13m. Total distance: 249 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 125.6 miles on I 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
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: near the start (Ash Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (MT 1 / East Park Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 7.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Billings, MT, but most travelers stay overnight.
