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Trip from Billings, MT to Ennis, MT

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 42m

Distance

196.3 mi

316 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$31

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
3h 30m ★
6 AM
3h 42m
8 AM
4h 7m
10 AM
3h 51m
12 PM
3h 49m
3 PM
3h 52m
5 PM
4h 6m
8 PM
3h 35m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in and county seat of Yellowstone County, Montana, United States

Billings, MT

Wikimedia Commons

town in Madison County, Montana, United States

Ennis, MT

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Planning a trip from Billings, Montana, to Ennis, Montana? This journey covers 196.3 miles and is estimated to take about 3 hours and 42 minutes. Primarily a highway drive, 85% of the route utilizes major roads like I-90, Norris Road, and US 287. With a fuel cost estimated around $31, this route is well-suited for a single day of travel. The drive takes you through the Mountain West region, offering a straightforward path between two points in Big Sky Country. Consider this a practical, efficient drive if you're looking to get from Point A to Point B with minimal fuss.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

98.2 miles from Billings, MT

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 40m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 90 138.1 mi 2h 15m
Norris Road 17.5 mi 26m
US 287 16.4 mi 19m
Montana Highway 84 11.4 mi 17m
Huffine Lane 5.3 mi 7m
West Main Street 1.7 mi 3m
Montana Avenue 1.5 mi 2m
Laurel Road 1.4 mi 2m
Longest stretch: I 90 — 138.1 mi, about 2h 15m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Billings, MT and Ennis, MT.

1

Start on I 90 Business

0.1 mi · 25 sec · Montana Avenue
2

Turn left onto North 23rd Street

372 ft · 21 sec · North 23rd Street
3

Turn left onto I 90 Business

0.9 mi · 3 min · 1st Avenue North
4

Turn left onto I 90 Business

447 ft · 9 sec · Division Street
5

Continue on I 90 Business

1.3 mi · 1 min · Montana Avenue
6

Continue on I 90 Business

1.4 mi · 2 min · Laurel Road
7

Keep slight right at fork onto I 90 Business

0.4 mi · 47 sec · I 90 Business
Toward Butte, I 90 West
8

Merge onto I 90; US 212

105 mi · 1 hr 43 min · I 90; US 212
9

Continue on I 90; US 89; US 191

7.0 mi · 6 min · I 90; US 89; US 191
10

Continue on I 90; US 191

26 mi · 26 min · I 90; US 191
11

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 38 sec
Toward MT 205
12

Turn left onto North 7th Avenue

1.3 mi · 2 min · North 7th Avenue
13

At end of road, turn right onto US 191; MT 84

1.7 mi · 3 min · West Main Street
14

Continue on US 191; MT 84

5.3 mi · 7 min · Huffine Lane
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
15

Continue on MT 84

18 mi · 26 min · Norris Road
16

Continue on MT 84

11 mi · 17 min · Montana Highway 84
17

Turn left onto US 287

16 mi · 19 min · US 287
18

At end of road, turn left onto US 287

0.2 mi · 27 sec · US 287
19

Arrive at destination

US 287

Trip Plan

Given the total duration of just under 4 hours, this trip is comfortably manageable as a single-day excursion. You'll want to start your drive early to maximize daylight and allow for any unexpected delays. There's one recommended stop, which you can use for a quick break or to refuel, though the total distance doesn't necessitate extensive stops. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is 138.1 miles on I-90, so plan your breaks accordingly. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you leave the interstate, to ensure you have enough to reach Ennis.

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 98.2 miles from Billings, MT, or about 1h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 138.1 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 43 miles or 46m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 98.2 miles or 1h 40m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 54m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ennis, MT than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

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 196.3 miles and 3h 42m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 miles from Billings, 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 138.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city and the county seat of Gallatin County, Montana, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Bozeman, MT

98 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

Columbus, MT

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 43 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Livingston, MT

Meal break

The midpoint is around 98.2 miles from Billings, MT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 138.1 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Montana Ale Works

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Bozeman, Montana

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30 mile 140.2

Hours: 4–9 pm

+14065877700

Visit website

Western Café

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Bozeman, Montana

1 mi

NaRa Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Billings, Montana

0.9 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Marble Coffee Co

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Billings, Montana

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $10 to $20

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+14063847764

Visit website

Bearded Bean Coffee Co

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Billings, Montana

0.5 mi

Black Dog Coffee House x 10th Ave

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Billings, Montana

0.9 mi

Montana Ale Works

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30 mile 140.2

Bozeman, Montana

Hours: 4–9 pm

+14065877700

Visit website

Western Café

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 140.2

Bozeman, Montana

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+14065870436

Visit website

NaRa Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Billings, Montana

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+14062458866

Visit website

Stompin Grounds

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

Billings, Montana

Hours: 9 am–4 pm

+16194956551

Dave's Sushi

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30 mile 140.2

Bozeman, Montana

Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm

+14065561351

Visit website

Pakeezah Authentic Indian Restaurant

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30 mile 140.2

Bozeman, Montana

Hours: 11 am–2:30 pm

+14064041800

Visit website

MacKenzie River Pizza Co.

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour Moderately mile 140.2

Bozeman, Montana

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+14065870055

Visit website

Sweet Chili Asian Bistro

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour $20 to $30 mile 140.2

Bozeman, Montana

Hours: 11:30 am–9 pm

+14065821188

Visit website

Marble Coffee Co

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $10 to $20

Billings, Montana

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+14063847764

Visit website

Bearded Bean Coffee Co

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

Billings, Montana

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+14066967859

Black Dog Coffee House x 10th Ave

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10

Billings, Montana

Hours: 6:30 am–2 pm

+14062818550

Visit website

Roly-Poly Coffee Co.

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 140.2

Bozeman, Montana

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+14069228080

Visit website

Treeline Coffee Roasters

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 140.2

Bozeman, Montana

Hours: 6:30 am–4 pm

+14062192501

Visit website

Wild Joe*s Coffee Spot

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 140.2

Bozeman, Montana

Hours: 6:30 am–6 pm

+14065861212

Visit website

Rockford Coffee

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 140.2

Bozeman, Montana

Hours: 6:30 am–6 pm

+14065561053

Visit website

Heidi's Coffee Cabin

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 14

Laurel, Montana

Hours: 5 am–5 pm

+14066289099

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 140.2

Bozeman, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18884672669

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 140.2

Bozeman, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Rivian Adventure Network

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 140.2

Bozeman, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887484262

Visit website

SynergEV Charging Station

Near the end, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 196.3

Ennis, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18888074522

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 140.2

Bozeman, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

2.5 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Later in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 140.2

Bozeman, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

Later in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 140.2

Bozeman, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

Later in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.5 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 140.2

Bozeman, Montana

Visit website

Wise Wonders Science and Discovery Museum

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Billings, Montana

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+14067021280

Visit website

After Rage

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

Billings, Montana

Hours: 3:30–9 pm

+14063715114

Visit website

DanWalt Botanical Gardens

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour

Billings, Montana

Hours: 9 am–5:30 pm

+14062484003

Visit website

Itch-Kep-Pe Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 42.1

Columbus, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

The Grand Escape Room

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour

Billings, Montana

Hours: 11 am–8:30 pm

+14068608243

Visit website

Yellowstone Safari Company

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 154.3

Bozeman, Montana

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+14065861155

Visit website

Sacajawea Park and Tennis Courts

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 112.2

Livingston, Montana

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+14062232233

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 9

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 196.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

4
0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | North 23rd Street

Turn left onto North 23rd Street

Navigation decision point

4
0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | I 90 Business / 1st Avenue North

Turn left onto I 90 Business / 1st Avenue North

Navigation decision point

6
4 mi into trip | ~8m in | I 90 Business

Keep slight right at fork onto I 90 Business toward Butte, I 90 West

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward Butte, I 90 West
4
142.5 mi into trip | ~2h 25m in

Take the exit toward MT 205

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward MT 205
5
196.2 mi into trip | ~3h 41m in | US 287

At end of road, turn left onto US 287

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$31.11 one way

$62.21 round trip

$4.03/gal 25.4 MPG avg 69 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.22 $32.61 $65.21
premium $4.53 $35.02 $70.03
diesel $5.61 $43.34 $86.68

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$31

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$56–$81

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 68.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 58.9 0 $20.61 $9.42
Efficient EV 49.1 0 $17.18 $7.85
EV Truck/SUV 78.5 0 $27.48 $12.56

Gas CO2

69 kg

EV CO2

23 kg (67% 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.

Forecast as of Apr 17, 2026

Origin

Billings, MT

Night in Billings on Saturday

Local time

10:34 PM

MDT

Current temp

27°F

Chance Rain And Snow Showers

NW 8 mph 37% chance Live forecast

Destination

Ennis, MT

Night in Ennis on Saturday

Local time

10:34 PM

MDT

Current temp

41°F

Unavailable

Live 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

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

3h 42m on the road

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.

What kind of drive is this?

This drive is largely highway-focused, with 85% of the journey on major routes. You'll experience a significant stretch of 138.1 miles on I-90, which provides a consistent pace. As you transition from I-90 to Norris Road and then US 287, the road character will shift slightly, but the overall feel remains that of an efficient transit. Expect a predominantly smooth driving experience that allows you to cover ground steadily. The route is designed for straightforward travel, minimizing complex navigation.

85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 138.1 mi on I 90.

How Hard Is This Drive?

3/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and Norris Road. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near North 23rd Street.

Driving Effort 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 3h 42m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (North 23rd Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (I 90 Business / 1st Avenue North): Navigation decision point; at 4 miles (I 90 Business): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 42m. Total distance: 196.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (85%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 138.1 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.

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: at 0.1 miles (North 23rd Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (I 90 Business / 1st Avenue North): Navigation decision point; at 4 miles (I 90 Business): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Possible but tiring. At 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Ennis, MT, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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