Spanning 342.9 miles across Montana, your journey from Billings to South Browning typically takes about 6 hours and 29 minutes. Since this is a turn-heavy local drive rather than a straightforward interstate sprint, you should plan to dedicate one full day to the excursion. Budgeting approximately $54 for fuel will cover your transit through the Mountain West. While the trip is manageable in a single day, be prepared for a steady pace due to the navigation of local streets. This route functions well for those looking to traverse the state while focusing on regional connectivity rather than high-speed highway travel.
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
171.4 miles from Billings, MT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 13m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 87
83.6 mi
1h 30m
United States Highway 89
49.2 mi
53m
US 12
45.1 mi
50m
MT 3
41.1 mi
47m
US 89
40.5 mi
45m
US 191
39.2 mi
42m
13th Lane Northwest
12.9 mi
15m
First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
9.4 mi
9m
Longest stretch:
US 87
— 83.6 mi, about 1h 30m
Traffic on I-15
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~391 veh/hr typical
· worst 507
Quietest
1 AM
~14 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
27.9×
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 South Browning, 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
0.3 mi·1 min·1st Avenue North
4
Turn right onto MT 3
2.1 mi·3 min·North 27th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Enter roundabout onto MT 3
236 ft·3 sec·MT 3
6
Continue on MT 3
3.1 mi·3 min·MT 3
7
Enter roundabout onto MT 3
144 ft·2 sec·MT 3
8
Continue on MT 3
25 mi·28 min·MT 3
9
Continue on MT-3
2.5 mi·2 min·Iowa Avenue
10
Continue on MT 3
12 mi·14 min·MT 3
11
At end of road, turn left onto US 12; MT 3
45 mi·50 min·US 12; MT 3
12
Turn right onto US 191; MT 3
39 mi·42 min·US 191; MT 3
13
At end of road, turn left onto US 87; MT 3; MT 200
64 mi·1 hr 9 min·US 87; MT 3; MT 200
14
Turn slight right
0.3 mi·20 sec
15
Enter roundabout
172 ft·2 sec
16
Continue
0.1 mi·7 sec
17
Continue on US 87; US 89; MT 3; MT 200
19 mi·20 min·US 87; US 89; MT 3; MT 200
18
Turn right onto US 87 Bypass
0.9 mi·1 min·57th Street South
19
Turn left onto 2nd Avenue North
4.3 mi·7 min·2nd Avenue North
20
At end of road, turn left onto I 15 Business
240 ft·4 sec·Park Drive North
21
Turn right onto I 15 Business
0.2 mi·23 sec·1st Avenue North
22
Continue on I 15 Business
0.2 mi·17 sec·First Avenue North Bridge
23
Continue on I 15 Business
1.4 mi·1 min·Central Avenue West
24
Take the exit onto I 15 Business
0.2 mi·32 sec·I 15 Business
25
Merge onto I 15; US 89; MT 200
9.4 mi·9 min·First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
26
Take the exit onto US 89; MT 200
8.3 mi·9 min·US 89; MT 200
Exit 290
27
Turn right onto US 89
32 mi·35 min·US 89
28
Enter roundabout onto US 89
514 ft·17 sec·West Division Street
29
Continue on US 89
143 ft·4 sec·West Division Street
30
Turn slight right onto US 89
6.0 mi·8 min·Main Avenue North
31
Continue on US 89
13 mi·15 min·13th Lane Northwest
32
Continue on US 89
49 mi·53 min·United States Highway 89
33
At end of road, turn left onto US 2; US 89
2.7 mi·3 min·US 2; US 89
34
Turn left onto 8th Avenue Southeast
0.2 mi·45 sec·8th Avenue Southeast
35
At end of road, turn left onto South Piegan Street
383 ft·18 sec·South Piegan Street
36
Turn right onto Mountain Chief Road
305 ft·13 sec·Mountain Chief Road
37
Arrive at destination
Mountain Chief Road
Trip Plan
For a smooth trip, aim to depart Billings early in the morning to maximize daylight hours for your navigation. Given the 6-hour and 29-minute duration, you should plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refuel. Keep your $54 fuel budget in mind, as local roads can often lead to more stop-and-go driving than high-speed cruising. Since you are relying on local streets, verify your navigation frequently to ensure you stay on the correct turns. Making this a single-day trip is feasible, but staying flexible with your timing will help you handle the turn-heavy nature of the route without feeling rushed.
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 171.4 miles from Billings, MT, or about 3h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 83.6 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 75 miles or 1h 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 171.4 miles or 3h 13m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near South Browning, 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 342.9 miles and 6h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 75 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 US 87 for about 83.6 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 342.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
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
0.5 mi into trip|~1m in|MT 3 / North 27th Street
Turn right onto MT 3 / North 27th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
46.2 mi into trip|~55m in|US 12; MT 3
At end of road, turn left onto US 12; MT 3
Navigation decision point
5
195.1 mi into trip|~3h 38m in
Enter roundabout
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
342.8 mi into trip|~6h 28m in|South Piegan Street
At end of road, turn left onto South Piegan Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$60.28 one way
$120.56 round trip
$4.47/gal25.4 MPG avg120 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.67
$63.03
$126.06
premium
$4.99
$67.37
$134.73
diesel
$5.35
$72.23
$144.45
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$60
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$85–$110
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 120 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
102.9
1
$36.00
$16.46
Efficient EV
85.7
0
$30.00
$13.72
EV Truck/SUV
137.2
1
$48.01
$21.95
Gas CO2
120 kg
EV CO2
40 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 May 30, 2026
Origin
Billings, MT
Afternoon
in Billings on Wednesday
Local time
2:49 PM
MDT
Current temp
71°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
NNW 9 mph99% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued May 30 at 3:50PM MDT by NWS Billings MT
Flash Flood Watch
Flash Flood Watch issued May 30 at 2:08PM MDT until May 31 at 12:00AM MDT by NWS Billings MT
Destination
South Browning, MT
Afternoon
in South Browning on Wednesday
Local time
2:49 PM
MDT
Current temp
62°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
NNW 15 mph80% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued May 30 at 3:50PM MDT by NWS Billings MT
Flash Flood Watch
Flash Flood Watch issued May 30 at 2:08PM MDT until May 31 at 12:00AM MDT by NWS Billings MT
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
9 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
6h 29m 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?
Expect a technical and engaging experience behind the wheel, as this route features zero percent highway travel. You will navigate through city infrastructure, beginning on North 23rd Street, 1st Avenue North, and North 27th Street. Because the profile is defined as a turn-heavy local drive, you won't encounter the monotony of long, straight interstate stretches. Instead, the road requires your constant attention as you transition between local thoroughfares. This is a hands-on drive that demands focus, offering a very different feel from standard cross-country highway routes.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
37 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 83.6 mi on US 87.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 87 and United States Highway 89. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near I 90 Business / 1st Avenue North.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 29m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 21 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (I 90 Business / 1st Avenue North): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles (MT 3 / North 27th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 46.2 miles (US 12; MT 3): Navigation decision point.
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 83.6 miles on US 87. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 3 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 South Browning, 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 1 meaningful breaks. There are 3 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 0.2 miles (I 90 Business / 1st Avenue North): Navigation decision point; at 0.5 miles (MT 3 / North 27th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 46.2 miles (US 12; MT 3): Navigation decision point.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.5 hours each way, a round trip means 13.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at South Browning, MT before the return drive.
