Spanning 359.1 miles across Montana, this trek from Billings to Frenchtown is a straightforward interstate journey that typically takes about 5 hours and 57 minutes to complete. Because the route is almost entirely highway-focused, it is easily manageable as a single-day trip for most drivers. You should budget approximately $57 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Mountain West locations. While the drive is long, the infrastructure is reliable, allowing you to maintain a steady pace throughout your travel. Whether you are commuting or heading out for a change of scenery, the simplicity of the path makes it a practical choice for those who prefer consistent, high-speed transit over winding backroads.
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
179.5 miles from Billings, MT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 2m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
354.2 mi
5h 47m
Montana Avenue
1.5 mi
2m
Laurel Road
1.4 mi
2m
1st Avenue North
0.9 mi
3m
I 90 Business
0.4 mi
<1m
Demer Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Beckwith Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Division Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 354.2 mi, about 5h 47m
Traffic on I-90
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 28 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~706 veh/hr typical
· worst 885
Quietest
2 AM
~43 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
16.4×
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 Billings, MT and Frenchtown, 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
113 mi·1 hr 54 min·I 90; US 191
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
128 mi·2 hr 3 min·I 90
Toward I 90 West: Missoula
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·45 sec
Toward Frenchtown
13
Turn left onto MT 263
0.2 mi·23 sec·Demer Street
14
At end of road, turn left onto MT 263
474 ft·8 sec·Beckwith Street
15
Arrive at destination
MT 263
Trip Plan
To keep your energy high during this nearly six-hour drive, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refuel. Since the route is almost entirely on I-90, you have the flexibility to adjust your itinerary based on traffic or personal preference. Aim to leave early in the morning to avoid fatigue, as the sheer length of the 354.2-mile interstate stretch can become monotonous if you try to power through without a break. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the longer gaps between exits to ensure you don't run low in more isolated areas. Making that single planned stop a priority will help ensure you arrive in Frenchtown feeling refreshed rather than drained by the long miles.
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 179.5 miles from Billings, MT, or about 3h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 354.2 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 79 miles or 1h 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 179.5 miles or 3h 2m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 59m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Frenchtown, 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 359.1 miles and 5h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 79 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 354.2 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 359 — 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
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
5
230.2 mi into trip|~3h 53m 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
358.8 mi into trip|~5h 56m in|MT 263 / Demer Street
Turn left onto MT 263 / Demer Street
Navigation decision point
6
359 mi into trip|~5h 57m in|MT 263 / Beckwith Street
At end of road, turn left onto MT 263 / Beckwith Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$63.13 one way
$126.25 round trip
$4.47/gal25.4 MPG avg126 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.67
$66.01
$132.02
premium
$4.99
$70.55
$141.10
diesel
$5.35
$75.64
$151.27
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$63
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$88–$113
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 125.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
107.7
1
$37.71
$17.24
Efficient EV
89.8
1
$31.42
$14.36
EV Truck/SUV
143.6
1
$50.27
$22.98
Gas CO2
126 kg
EV CO2
42 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 Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Billings, MT
Afternoon
in Billings on Wednesday
Local time
1:01 PM
MDT
Current temp
46°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy
W 6 to 14 mph18% chanceLive forecast
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued May 31 at 8:55PM MDT until June 1 at 12:00PM MDT by NWS Missoula MT
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 31 at 7:42PM MDT until June 1 at 7:30PM MDT by NWS Missoula MT
Destination
Frenchtown, MT
Afternoon
in Frenchtown on Wednesday
Local time
1:01 PM
MDT
Current temp
41°F
Light Rain Likely
NNE 1 mph60% chanceLive forecast
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued May 31 at 8:55PM MDT until June 1 at 12:00PM MDT by NWS Missoula MT
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 31 at 7:42PM MDT until June 1 at 7:30PM MDT by NWS Missoula MT
45°F
Whitehall, MT
180 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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 57m 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?
Expect a focused interstate experience as 99% of this trip takes place on major highways. You will spend the vast majority of your time on I-90, which accounts for a massive 354.2-mile stretch of the journey. The path begins with short segments on Montana Avenue and Laurel Road before feeding directly into the primary interstate artery. Because this is a highway-dominated route, the character of the drive is consistent and predictable, allowing you to settle into a rhythm behind the wheel. Don't anticipate technical turns or complex navigation; instead, prepare for a long-distance cruise that prioritizes efficiency and directness as you traverse the state.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 354.2 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and Montana Avenue. 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 Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 5h 57m 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 4 miles (I 90 Business): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 230.2 miles (I 90): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
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
The longest stretch is about 354.2 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.
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: at 0.1 miles (North 23rd Street): Navigation decision point; at 4 miles (I 90 Business): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 230.2 miles (I 90): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.0 hours each way, a round trip means 11.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Frenchtown, MT before the return drive.
