Spanning 370.2 miles across the heart of the Mountain West, this trip from Big Timber to Evergreen is a significant drive that takes approximately 6 hours and 31 minutes. You will spend 99% of your time on highways, primarily utilizing I-90, MT-83, and MT-141 to bridge the distance. While it is technically feasible to complete this trek in a single day, be prepared for a long stint behind the wheel. Budgeting around $59 for fuel is a smart way to prepare for the journey. Since the route stays entirely within Montana, you can expect a consistent regional feel as you transition between these two areas. This drive is best suited for travelers who prefer highway-focused efficiency over frequent detours.
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
185.1 miles from Big Timber, MT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 3m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
190.1 mi
3h 6m
MT 83
91.1 mi
1h 43m
MT 141
32.5 mi
35m
MT 200
23.8 mi
25m
MT 35
15.9 mi
18m
US 12
12.9 mi
14m
East Evergreen Drive
1 mi
2m
Big Timber Loop Road
0.8 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 190.1 mi, about 3h 6m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Big Timber, MT and Evergreen, MT.
1
Start on McLeod Street
16 ft·2 sec·McLeod Street
2
Turn right onto I 90 Business; US 191
0.3 mi·50 sec·West 1st Avenue
3
Continue on I 90 Business; US 191
0.8 mi·1 min·Big Timber Loop Road
4
Turn left onto I 90 Business; US 191
403 ft·8 sec·I 90 Business; US 191
5
Take the ramp onto I 90 Business; US 191
0.4 mi·46 sec·I 90 Business; US 191
6
Merge onto I 90; US 191
27 mi·25 min·I 90; US 191
7
Continue on I 90; US 89; US 191
7.0 mi·6 min·I 90; US 89; US 191
8
Continue on I 90; US 191
113 mi·1 hr 54 min·I 90; US 191
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
43 mi·39 min·I 90
Toward I 90 West: Missoula
10
Take the exit
1.2 mi·2 min
Toward US 12 East: Helena, Garrison
11
At end of road, turn right onto US 12
13 mi·14 min·US 12
12
Turn sharp left onto MT 141
32 mi·35 min·MT 141
13
At end of road, turn left onto MT 200
24 mi·25 min·MT 200
14
Turn right onto MT 83
91 mi·1 hr 43 min·MT 83
15
At end of road, turn right onto MT 35
11 mi·13 min·MT 35
16
Continue on MT 35
4.5 mi·5 min·MT 35
Use the straight lane.
17
Turn right onto Helena Flats Road
0.1 mi·19 sec·Helena Flats Road
18
Turn left onto East Evergreen Drive
1.0 mi·2 min·East Evergreen Drive
19
Turn left onto US 2
26 ft·0 sec·La Salle Road
20
Arrive at destination
US 2
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6-hour and 31-minute journey, plan to depart early in the morning to avoid fatigue during the final stretches. With only one recommended stop, it is essential to time your break strategically to coincide with refueling, keeping your $59 gas budget in mind. Since this is a highway-heavy route, maintain consistent speeds to optimize your fuel efficiency throughout the 370.2 miles. Because the drive is manageable in one day, you have the flexibility to reach your destination by evening if you stay disciplined with your schedule. Always double-check your route map before switching from I-90 to the state highways to ensure a smooth transition.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 185.1 miles from Big Timber, MT, or about 3h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 190.1 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 81 miles or 1h 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 185.1 miles or 3h 3m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Evergreen, MT than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Big Timber, 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 Big Timber, MT
This is one driving day of about 370.2 miles and 6h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 81 miles from Big Timber, 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 190.1 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 205.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip|~0m in|I 90 Business; US 191 / West 1st Avenue
Turn right onto I 90 Business; US 191 / West 1st Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
149 mi into trip|~2h 29m in|I 90
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90 toward I 90 West: Missoula
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 90 West: Missoula
5
191.6 mi into trip|~3h 9m in
Take the exit toward US 12 East: Helena, Garrison
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 12 East: Helena, Garrison
5
192.8 mi into trip|~3h 11m in|US 12
At end of road, turn right onto US 12
Navigation decision point
5
205.7 mi into trip|~3h 25m in|MT 141
Turn sharp left onto MT 141
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$58.66 one way
$117.33 round trip
$4.03/gal25.4 MPG avg130 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$61.49
$122.98
premium
$4.53
$66.04
$132.08
diesel
$5.61
$81.74
$163.47
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$59
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$84–$109
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 129.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
111.1
1
$38.87
$17.77
Efficient EV
92.6
1
$32.39
$14.81
EV Truck/SUV
148.1
1
$51.83
$23.69
Gas CO2
130 kg
EV CO2
43 kg (67% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 12, 2026
Origin
Big Timber, MT
Evening
in Big Timber on Saturday
Local time
7:27 PM
MDT
Current temp
42°F
Mostly Cloudy
WSW 10 to 17 mph11% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Evergreen, MT
Evening
in Evergreen on Saturday
Local time
7:27 PM
MDT
Current temp
39°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
SSE 2 mph17% chanceLive forecast
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
3 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
6h 31m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a drive defined by high-speed efficiency, as the route is 99% highway-focused. You will begin with a substantial 190.1-mile stretch along I-90, which allows you to cover significant ground before transitioning onto MT-83 and MT-141. These secondary roads shift the pace, offering a different rhythm compared to the interstate grind. While the majority of the route is designed for steady progress, the shift between road types keeps the experience from feeling entirely monotonous. You will spend most of your time focused on the pavement, so ensure your vehicle is ready for a solid day of interstate travel.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 190.1 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and MT 83. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near I 90 Business; US 191 / West 1st Avenue.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 31m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 14 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (I 90 Business; US 191 / West 1st Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 149 miles (I 90): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 191.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
4,738 ft4,091 ft
Total Climb
647 ft
Total Descent
0 ft
Highest Point
4,738 ft
~61.7 mi in
Elevation Range
647 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Big Timber, MT to Evergreen, MT, road signs begin pointing toward Garrison along the way.
Garrison
191.6 mi in|~3h 9m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 31m. Total distance: 370.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
The longest stretch is about 190.1 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.
It helps. This is a long drive, so arriving tired and in the dark compounds. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Evergreen, MT before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
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 (I 90 Business; US 191 / West 1st Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 149 miles (I 90): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 191.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.5 hours each way, a round trip means 13.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Evergreen, MT before the return drive.
