Spanning 347.4 miles across Montana, this trek from Billings to Orchard Homes is a straightforward cross-state journey. You can expect to spend about 5 hours and 48 minutes behind the wheel, making it a manageable day trip if you get an early start. Budget roughly $55 for fuel to cover the distance, which remains entirely within the Mountain West region. Since 98% of your travel occurs on major highways, the route is designed for efficiency rather than leisurely detours. While you could technically push through in one long haul, keeping your pace steady is essential to maintain comfort throughout the day.
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
173.7 miles from Billings, MT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
338.4 mi
5h 30m
Montana Avenue
1.5 mi
2m
Laurel Road
1.4 mi
2m
1st Avenue North
0.9 mi
3m
South 14th Street West
0.8 mi
1m
Mount Avenue
0.7 mi
1m
Brooks Street
0.7 mi
<1m
I 90 Business
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 338.4 mi, about 5h 30m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Billings, MT and Orchard Homes, 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
113 mi·1 hr 46 min·I 90
Toward I 90 West: Missoula
12
Take the exit onto I 90 Business; US 12
0.2 mi·26 sec·I 90 Business; US 12
Toward US 12 West, I 90 Business
13
Enter roundabout onto I 90 Bus; US 12
206 ft·2 sec·Van Buren Street
14
Continue on I 90 Bus; US 12
212 ft·3 sec·Van Buren Street
15
Enter roundabout onto I 90 Bus; US 12
92 ft·1 sec·Van Buren Street
16
Continue on I 90 Bus; US 12
0.1 mi·11 sec·Van Buren Street
17
Turn right onto I 90 Bus; US 12
0.2 mi·22 sec·East Broadway Street
18
Turn left onto US 12
0.3 mi·18 sec·Madison Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
19
Continue on US 12
0.1 mi·9 sec·Arthur Avenue
20
Turn right onto US 12
0.4 mi·35 sec·South 5th Street East
21
Turn left onto US 12
0.1 mi·28 sec·South Higgins Avenue
22
Turn right onto US 12
0.7 mi·49 sec·Brooks Street
Use the right lane.
23
Turn right onto Mount Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Mount Avenue
24
Continue on South 14th Street West
0.8 mi·1 min·South 14th Street West
25
Continue on Mount Avenue
0.2 mi·22 sec·Mount Avenue
26
Turn right onto South Reserve Street
0.5 mi·55 sec·South Reserve Street
27
Turn left onto South 7th Street West
0.4 mi·1 min·South 7th Street West
28
Arrive at destination
South 7th Street West
Trip Plan
Planning for this 347.4-mile trek requires a focus on timing and fuel management. With only one recommended stop over the course of nearly six hours, ensure you choose a location that allows you to refuel without adding unnecessary complexity to your itinerary. Departing early in the morning is your best bet to avoid fatigue, especially given that the longest stretch of the drive is a single 338.4-mile segment on I-90. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge throughout this long stretch, as the interstate environment can make it easy to lose track of your consumption. Flexibility is your greatest asset here; since the drive is doable in a single day, you can adjust your pace based on traffic conditions to ensure a smooth arrival in Orchard Homes.
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 173.7 miles from Billings, MT, or about 2h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 338.4 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 76 miles or 1h 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 173.7 miles or 2h 56m 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 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Orchard Homes, 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 347.4 miles and 5h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 76 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 338.4 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 4 and 343.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
342.7 mi into trip|~5h 39m in|I 90 Business; US 12
Take the exit onto I 90 Business; US 12 toward US 12 West, I 90 Business
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 12 West, I 90 Business
5
342.9 mi into trip|~5h 40m in|I 90 Bus; US 12 / Van Buren Street
Enter roundabout onto I 90 Bus; US 12 / Van Buren Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
7
343.3 mi into trip|~5h 41m in|US 12 / Madison Street
Turn left onto US 12 / Madison Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$55.05 one way
$110.10 round trip
$4.03/gal25.4 MPG avg122 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$57.70
$115.41
premium
$4.53
$61.97
$123.94
diesel
$5.61
$76.70
$153.40
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$55
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$80–$105
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 121.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
104.2
1
$36.48
$16.68
Efficient EV
86.9
0
$30.40
$13.90
EV Truck/SUV
139
1
$48.64
$22.23
Gas CO2
122 kg
EV CO2
41 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 Apr 12, 2026
Origin
Billings, MT
Evening
in Billings on Saturday
Local time
7:28 PM
MDT
Current temp
44°F
Partly Cloudy
WSW 9 to 13 mph6% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Orchard Homes, MT
Evening
in Orchard Homes on Saturday
Local time
7:28 PM
MDT
Current temp
38°F
Areas Of Fog
0 mph7% 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
6 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 48m 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?
This highway-focused drive is dominated by a 338.4-mile stretch on I-90, keeping your momentum high for the vast majority of the trip. Because 98% of the route is highway-based, you will experience a consistent, high-speed environment rather than the twists and turns of local backroads. Expect the landscape to feel expansive as you traverse the state, though you will eventually transition onto Laurel Road and Montana Avenue to reach your destination. The driving personality here is functional and direct, providing a predictable experience for those looking to cover ground quickly. Prepare for a long, steady rhythm that defines the character of this interstate-heavy excursion.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 338.4 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and Montana Avenue. You will hit about 17 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 4 miles in near I 90 Business.
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 347.4 miles you will encounter 17 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 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; at 342.7 miles (I 90 Business; US 12): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
6,173 ft3,122 ft
Total Climb
5,224 ft
Total Descent
5,193 ft
Highest Point
6,173 ft
~217.1 mi in
Elevation Range
3,051 ft
Notable High Points
5,472 ft at ~130.3 miles+825 ft prominence
5,246 ft at ~188.1 miles+740 ft prominence
6,173 ft at ~217.1 miles+771 ft prominence
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 48m. Total distance: 347.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 338.4 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 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; at 342.7 miles (I 90 Business; US 12): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.8 hours each way, a round trip means 11.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Orchard Homes, MT before the return drive.
