Billings, MT to Lakeside, MT is 449.6 miles and takes about 7h 48m via I 90 and US 93, with a fuel budget near $75 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays entirely within Montana, moving between the Mountain West regions. It's primarily a highway drive, making it a straightforward option for a single-day transit. If you're looking for a direct path across the state with minimal navigation, this route fits the bill. You'll cover a significant distance on interstates before transitioning to a U.S. highway.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
224.8 miles from Billings, MT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 47m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
347.7 mi
5h 40m
US 93
97.6 mi
1h 58m
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
Division Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
North 23rd Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 347.7 mi, about 5h 40m
Traffic on I-90
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 56 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~733 veh/hr typical
· worst 972
Quietest
2 AM
~44 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
16.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 104 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 Lakeside, 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
122 mi·1 hr 56 min·I 90
Toward I 90 West: Missoula
12
Take the exit onto US 93; MT 200
0.2 mi·24 sec·US 93; MT 200
Toward US 93 North, MT 200 West: Kalispell
13
Keep slight right at fork onto US 93; MT 200
97 mi·1 hr 58 min·US 93; MT 200
Toward US 93 North, MT 200 West: Kalispell
14
Arrive at destination
US 93
Trip Plan
Given the 7-hour and 48-minute estimated drive time, leaving Billings, MT in the morning is advisable to ensure you arrive in Lakeside, MT with daylight to spare. With only 2 recommended stops, you can plan your breaks strategically, perhaps one midway through the longest stretch on I 90. The fuel cost is estimated at $75, so factor that into your budget. Keep an eye on Montana's variable weather, especially if traveling outside of summer months. Since most of the route is highway, you can maintain a steady pace, but be aware of the transition from I 90 to US 93 for your final approach.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 224.8 miles from Billings, MT, or about 3h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 347.7 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 99 miles or 1h 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 224.8 miles or 3h 47m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lakeside, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Billings, MT
This is one driving day of about 449.6 miles and 7h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 99 miles from Billings, MT.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 90 for about 347.7 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 0.1 and 352.2 — 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
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
352 mi into trip|~5h 49m in|US 93; MT 200
Take the exit onto US 93; MT 200 toward US 93 North, MT 200 West: Kalispell
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 93 North, MT 200 West: Kalispell
6
352.2 mi into trip|~5h 50m in|US 93; MT 200
Keep slight right at fork onto US 93; MT 200 toward US 93 North, MT 200 West: Kalispell
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 93 North, MT 200 West: Kalispell
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$61.07 one way
$122.14 round trip
$3.45/gal25.4 MPG avg157 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.85
$68.15
$136.30
premium
$4.15
$73.46
$146.92
diesel
$3.75
$66.38
$132.76
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$61
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$86–$111
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 157.3 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $47 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
134.9
1
$47.21
$21.58
Efficient EV
112.4
1
$39.34
$17.98
EV Truck/SUV
179.8
2
$62.94
$28.77
Gas CO2
157 kg
EV CO2
53 kg (66% 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 Oct 18, 2026
Origin
Billings, MT
Afternoon
in Billings on Sunday
Local time
3:47 PM
MDT
Current temp
43°F
Mostly Clear
NW 7 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Lakeside, MT
Afternoon
in Lakeside on Sunday
Local time
3:47 PM
MDT
Current temp
39°F
Partly Cloudy
W 1 mph0% 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
4 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
7h 48m 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?
This drive is almost entirely on highways, with 99% of the 449.6 miles utilizing major roads. You'll experience a long stretch of 347.7 miles on I 90, which means consistent cruising with limited surface road driving. Montana Avenue is the only segment that deviates from the main highways, suggesting a brief period of more local traffic as you approach your destination. Expect mostly rural cruising with a few more exits on the interstate segments.
99% 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: 347.7 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and US 93. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near North 23rd 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 449.6 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: 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, 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 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
Kalispell is a town in Montana, near Glacier National Park. The name of the town means "flat land above the lake" in Salish, a Native American language. The population is about 23,000 (2016).
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 48m. Total distance: 449.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 48m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 347.7 miles on I 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 24 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Lakeside, 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 24 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 7.8 hours each way, a round trip means 15.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Lakeside, MT before the return drive.
