Dearborn Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Chinook, MT to Belgrade, MT
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 37m
Distance
312 mi
502 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$49
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 24m
★
6 AM
5h 37m
8 AM
6h 4m
10 AM
5h 47m
12 PM
5h 44m
3 PM
5h 48m
5 PM
6h 3m
8 PM
5h 29m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Chinook, MT
Alex Moliski
Belgrade, MT
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Chinook, MT to Belgrade, MT is 312 miles and takes about 5h 37m via US 87, with a fuel budget near $51 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Mountain West region, offering a straightforward path for a single day of travel. Given its manageable length and predominantly highway profile, it's a practical option if you're looking for an efficient connection between these two Montana points. The route is designed for direct travel, making it a good choice for those prioritizing time on the road over extensive sightseeing.
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
156 miles from Chinook, MT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 52m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 87 | 107.3 mi | 1h 58m |
| First Special Service Force Memorial Highway | 87.5 mi | 1h 24m |
| US 12 | 34.1 mi | 40m |
| US 287 | 27.9 mi | 30m |
| 1st Street West | 24.7 mi | 28m |
| I 90 | 22.3 mi | 22m |
| 3rd Street Northwest | 1.4 mi | 1m |
| Central Avenue West | 1.3 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
US 87
— 107.3 mi, about 1h 58m
Traffic on I-15
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~467 veh/hr typical · worst 567
Quietest
2 AM
~12 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
38.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
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 Chinook, MT and Belgrade, MT.
1
Start on Indiana Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Indiana Street
2
Turn left onto US 2
25 mi
·
28 min
·
1st Street West
Use the left lane.
3
Turn left onto US 87
107 mi
·
1 hr 58 min
·
US 87
Use the left lane.
4
Continue on US 87
297 ft
·
5 sec
·
15th Street Northeast
5
Turn right onto Old Havre Highway
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Old Havre Highway
6
Turn right onto Smelter Avenue Northeast
0.5 mi
·
42 sec
·
Smelter Avenue Northeast
7
Turn straight onto 3rd Street Northwest
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
3rd Street Northwest
8
Turn right onto I 15 Business
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Central Avenue West
9
Turn sharp left
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
10
Merge onto I 15; US 89; MT 200
87 mi
·
1 hr 24 min
·
First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
11
Take the exit onto US 287
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
US 287
Exit 192
Toward US 12 South, US 287 South: Townsend, Capitol Area
12
Turn left onto US 12; US 287
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Prospect Avenue
13
Continue on US 12; US 287
3.6 mi
·
5 min
·
US 12; US 287
14
Continue on US 12; US 287
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
·
US 12; US 287
15
Continue on US 12; US 287
30 mi
·
34 min
·
US 12; US 287
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on US 287
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
US 287
Use the straight lane.
17
Continue on US 287
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
US 287
Use the straight lane.
18
Continue on US 287
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
US 287
Use the straight lane.
19
Continue on US 287
23 mi
·
24 min
·
US 287
Use the straight lane.
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward I 90 East: Billings
21
Merge onto I 90
22 mi
·
22 min
·
I 90
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Toward MT 291, MT 85: Belgrade, West Yellowstone
23
Turn left onto Amsterdam Road
0.8 mi
·
57 sec
·
Amsterdam Road
24
Turn left onto MT 85
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
·
Jackrabbit Lane
25
Turn right onto West Madison Avenue
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
West Madison Avenue
26
Turn slight left onto South Broadway
0.3 mi
·
54 sec
·
South Broadway
27
Turn right onto MT 205
83 ft
·
2 sec
·
East Main Street
28
Arrive at destination
MT 205
Trip Plan
Starting your drive from Chinook in the morning is recommended to make the most of the daylight for the 5h 37m trip. With a single day recommended, you can complete this 312-mile drive without needing an overnight stay. Plan for one stop to break up the drive, perhaps after covering the initial 107.3-mile stretch on US 87. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $51, and services might be spaced out in rural Montana. This route is efficient, so you'll have flexibility with your timing once you reach Belgrade.
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 156 miles from Chinook, MT, or about 2h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 107.3 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 69 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 156 miles or 2h 52m 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 36m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Belgrade, MT than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Chinook, 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 Chinook, MT
This is one driving day of about 312 miles and 5h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 69 miles from Chinook, 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 107.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
156 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 69 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 156 miles from Chinook, MT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 87 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 107.3 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Three Forks Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 145 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 287.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.3 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
US 2 / 1st Street West
Turn left onto US 2 / 1st Street West
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
25.1 mi into trip
|
~29m in
|
US 87
Turn left onto US 87
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
136.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 33m in
Turn sharp left
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
6
224.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 58m in
|
US 287
Take the exit onto US 287 toward US 12 South, US 287 South: Townsend, Capitol Area
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 192
Toward US 12 South, US 287 South: Townsend, Cap...
6
287.3 mi into trip
|
~5h 11m in
Take the exit toward I 90 East: Billings
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 90 East: Billings
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$48.63 one way
$97.26 round trip
$3.96/gal
25.4 MPG avg
109 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.17 | $51.26 | $102.52 |
| premium | $4.47 | $54.96 | $109.91 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $58.91 | $117.82 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$49
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 109.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 93.6 | 1 | $32.76 | $14.98 |
| Efficient EV | 78 | 0 | $27.30 | $12.48 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 124.8 | 1 | $43.68 | $19.97 |
Gas CO2
109 kg
EV CO2
37 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.
Origin
Chinook, MT
Late night in Chinook on Sunday
Local time
12:59 AM
MDT
Current temp
96°F
Sunny
ESE 14 to 20 mph
4% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Watch
Flash Flood Watch issued July 17 at 12:23AM MDT until July 18 at 12:00AM MDT by NWS Great Falls MT
Destination
Belgrade, MT
Late night in Belgrade on Sunday
Local time
12:59 AM
MDT
Current temp
93°F
Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NE 1 to 8 mph
33% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Watch
Flash Flood Watch issued July 17 at 12:23AM MDT until July 18 at 12:00AM MDT by NWS Great Falls 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
3 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 37m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This trip covers 312 miles, with 61% of that on highways. You'll experience a longest stretch of 107.3 miles on US 87, indicating substantial highway cruising. Expect approximately 190 miles of highway driving before transitioning to surface roads for the remainder of your trip. The majority of your time will be spent on more open highway stretches, typical of rural Montana driving.
61% 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: 107.3 mi on US 87.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 87 and First Special Service Force Memorial Highway. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near US 2 / 1st Street West.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 312 miles you will encounter 14 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 0.3 miles (US 2 / 1st Street West): Lane positioning matters here; at 25.1 miles (US 87): Lane positioning matters here; at 136.5 miles: Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
4,457 ft
2,427 ft
Total Climb
2,808 ft
Total Descent
778 ft
Highest Point
4,457 ft
~312 mi in
Elevation Range
2,030 ft
Notable High Points
4,063 ft at ~200.5 miles
+216 ft prominence
4,329 ft at ~245.1 miles
+403 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Chinook, MT to Belgrade, MT, road signs begin pointing toward Capitol Area along the way.
Capitol Area
224.3 mi in
|
~3h 58m
|
via US 287
About the Cities
Starting in Chinook, MT
Full guide →Arriving in Belgrade, MT
Full guide →Founded 1882
Belgrade is a town in Montana with a population of 10,500 in 2020. Only 10 miles west of Bozeman, many travellers may not consider Belgrade as its own destination. Yet it has the same mountain scenery and closeness to premium skiing and Yellowstone National Park.
Top landmarks
- • Belgrade City Hall and Jail — city hall and prison in Belgrade, Montana
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 37m. Total distance: 312 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 107.3 miles on US 87. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 7 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 route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Belgrade, 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 7 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 0.3 miles (US 2 / 1st Street West): Lane positioning matters here; at 25.1 miles (US 87): Lane positioning matters here; at 136.5 miles: Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Belgrade, MT before the return drive.
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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Belgrade, MT
More from Chinook, MT
More trips to Belgrade, MT
Explore more options from Chinook, MT or browse trips ending in Belgrade, MT.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MT road trips.