Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 25m
Distance
125.6 mi
202 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Billings, MT
Wikimedia Commons
Colstrip, MT
Alex Moliski
Billings to Colstrip is 125.6 miles and takes about 2h 25m via I 90 and US 212, with a fuel budget near $20 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Montana, connecting two points in the Mountain West region. Expect a straightforward, highway-focused drive that's ideal for a single-day excursion. Given its relatively short duration and minimal stops, it's a practical choice for getting from point A to point B efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
62.8 miles from Billings, MT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 3m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 57.2 mi | 54m |
| US 212 | 42.5 mi | 50m |
| State Highway 39 | 22.2 mi | 33m |
| US Highway 87 East | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| 1st Avenue North | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Cheyenne Avenue | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| Montana Avenue | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Box Elder Avenue | 0.4 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Billings, MT and Colstrip, MT.
Start on I 90 Business
Turn left onto I 90 Business
At end of road, turn right onto I 90 Business
Continue on 1st Avenue North
Turn right onto I 90 Business; US 87
Turn left onto I 90 Business; US 87
Continue on I 90; US 87; US 212
Keep slight right at fork onto I 90; US 87; US 212
Take the exit onto US 212
Turn left onto US 212
Enter roundabout onto MT 39
Continue on MT 39
Continue on MT 39
Turn right onto Box Elder Avenue
Arrive at destination
Since this is a 1-day trip of about 2.5 hours, you have plenty of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving Billings in the morning or early afternoon will get you to Colstrip well before evening. With only 125.6 miles and a $20 fuel estimate, you won't need frequent stops for gas or rest. The longest stretch is just over 57 miles on I 90, so plan for a comfortable pace and enjoy the straightforward drive.
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.
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 28 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 62.8 miles or 1h 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 1h 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Colstrip, MT than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Billings, 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 Billings, MT
This is one driving day of about 125.6 miles and 2h 25m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
63 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 28 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 62.8 miles from Billings, 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.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.5 and 125.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
At end of road, turn right onto I 90 Business / 1st Avenue North
Navigation decision point
Keep slight right at fork onto I 90; US 87; US 212 toward I 90 East: Sheridan
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Take the exit onto US 212 toward US 212 East: Little Bighorn Battlefield, Broadus
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Enter roundabout onto MT 39 / Cheyenne Avenue
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Turn right onto Box Elder Avenue
Navigation decision point
Regular Gas
$19.90 one way
$39.81 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.22 | $20.86 | $41.72 |
| premium | $4.53 | $22.41 | $44.81 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $27.73 | $55.46 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 43.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 37.7 | 0 | $13.19 | $6.03 |
| Efficient EV | 31.4 | 0 | $10.99 | $5.02 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 50.2 | 0 | $17.58 | $8.04 |
Gas CO2
44 kg
EV CO2
15 kg (66% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Billings on Saturday
Local time
10:34 PM
MDT
Current temp
61°F
Sunny
Destination
Night in Colstrip on Saturday
Local time
10:34 PM
MDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
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
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
National Monument
This land is a place to honor and reflect on the sacrifices made here on June 25 and 26, 1876, when Lakota, Cheyenne, and Arapaho warriors fought against a deliberate attack by the U.S. Army's 7th Cav...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 98% of it on major roads like I 90 and US 212. You'll encounter long stretches of open road, including one segment of 57.2 miles on I 90 where you can maintain steady progress. The journey primarily utilizes interstates and US highways, suggesting a consistent driving experience with limited deviations onto slower local roads. The character is efficient and direct, designed for covering distance.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and US 212. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.5 miles in near I 90 Business / 1st Avenue North.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 25m drive. You will face about 8 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.5 miles (I 90 Business / 1st Avenue North): Navigation decision point; at 6 miles (I 90; US 87; US 212): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 60 miles (US 212): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Billings, MT to Colstrip, MT, road signs begin pointing toward Broadus along the way.
Broadus
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 25m. Total distance: 125.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Straightforward navigation.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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