Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Ennis, MT to Miles City, 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
6h 12m
Distance
338.9 mi
545 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$53
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 0m
★
6 AM
6h 12m
8 AM
6h 38m
10 AM
6h 21m
12 PM
6h 19m
3 PM
6h 23m
5 PM
6h 37m
8 PM
6h 5m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ennis, MT
Wikimedia Commons
Miles City, MT
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Ennis to Miles City is 338.9 miles and takes about 6h 12m via I 90 and I 94, with a fuel budget near $60 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Montana, moving from the Mountain West region to another part of the same region. You'll be on mostly highway for this drive, making for a straightforward transit between these two points. It's a solid option for a single-day drive if you want to cover a good amount of ground across the state.
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
169.5 miles from Ennis, MT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 14m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 146.3 mi | 2h 26m |
| I 94 | 134.7 mi | 2h 20m |
| Norris Road | 17.5 mi | 26m |
| US 287 | 16.4 mi | 19m |
| Montana Highway 84 | 11.4 mi | 16m |
| Huffine Lane | 5.3 mi | 7m |
| I 94 Business | 3.6 mi | 6m |
| West Babcock Street | 1.8 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 146.3 mi, about 2h 26m
Traffic on I-90
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 20 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~770 veh/hr typical · worst 941
Quietest
2 AM
~44 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17.5×
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 Ennis, MT and Miles City, MT.
1
Start on US 287
138 ft
·
4 sec
·
Main Street
2
Turn straight onto US 287
448 ft
·
15 sec
·
US 287
3
Continue on US 287
16 mi
·
19 min
·
US 287
4
Turn right onto MT 84
11 mi
·
16 min
·
Montana Highway 84
5
Continue on MT 84
18 mi
·
26 min
·
Norris Road
6
Continue on US 191; MT 84
5.3 mi
·
7 min
·
Huffine Lane
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Continue on US 191; MT 84
0.7 mi
·
58 sec
·
West Main Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
8
Turn right onto West Babcock Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
West Babcock Street
9
At end of road, turn right onto South 11th Avenue
36 ft
·
6 sec
·
South 11th Avenue
10
Turn left onto West Babcock Street
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
West Babcock Street
11
At end of road, turn left onto South Wallace Avenue
358 ft
·
13 sec
·
South Wallace Avenue
12
Turn right onto I 90 Business; US 191; MT 84
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
East Main Street
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
14
Merge onto I 90; US 191
23 mi
·
23 min
·
I 90; US 191
15
Continue on I 90; US 89; US 191
6.9 mi
·
6 min
·
I 90; US 89; US 191
16
Continue on I 90; US 191
113 mi
·
1 hr 53 min
·
I 90; US 191
17
Continue on I 90; US 87; US 212
3.1 mi
·
3 min
·
I 90; US 87; US 212
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
135 mi
·
2 hr 20 min
·
I 94
Toward I 94 East: Bismark
19
Take the exit onto I 94 Business
3.6 mi
·
6 min
·
I 94 Business
Toward I 94 Business: Miles City, Jordan
20
Arrive at destination
MT 59
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 12m estimated drive time, starting your day in Ennis with a full tank of gas is a good idea. The route is efficient, with 92% on the interstate, so you can cover significant mileage quickly. Plan for one primary stop to break up the 146.3-mile stretch on I 90. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility; however, be mindful of fuel availability in more rural sections between larger towns. The estimated fuel cost is around $60, so budget accordingly.
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 169.5 miles from Ennis, MT, or about 3h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 146.3 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 75 miles or 1h 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 169.5 miles or 3h 14m 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 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Miles City, MT than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Ennis, 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 Ennis, MT
This is one driving day of about 338.9 miles and 6h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 75 miles from Ennis, 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 146.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
169 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 75 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 169.5 miles from Ennis, MT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 146.3 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.
Rest Area
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
1.2 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 105 decision points cluster between mile 16.4 and 335.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
16.4 mi into trip
|
~19m in
|
MT 84 / Montana Highway 84
Turn right onto MT 84 / Montana Highway 84
Navigation decision point
4
51.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 11m in
|
West Babcock Street
Turn right onto West Babcock Street
Navigation decision point
5
52 mi into trip
|
~1h 13m in
|
South 11th Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto South 11th Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
200.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 45m in
|
I 94
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94 toward I 94 East: Bismark
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 94 East: Bismark
5
335.3 mi into trip
|
~6h 6m in
|
I 94 Business
Take the exit onto I 94 Business toward I 94 Business: Miles City, Jordan
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 94 Business: Miles City, Jordan
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$52.82 one way
$105.65 round trip
$3.96/gal
25.4 MPG avg
119 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.17 | $55.68 | $111.36 |
| premium | $4.47 | $59.69 | $119.39 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $63.99 | $127.98 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$53
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$78–$103
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 118.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 101.7 | 1 | $35.58 | $16.27 |
| Efficient EV | 84.7 | 0 | $29.65 | $13.56 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 135.6 | 1 | $47.45 | $21.69 |
Gas CO2
119 kg
EV CO2
40 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
Ennis, MT
Morning in Ennis on Sunday
Local time
9:02 AM
MDT
Current temp
91°F
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 0 to 6 mph
56% 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
Miles City, MT
Morning in Miles City on Sunday
Local time
9:02 AM
MDT
Current temp
98°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny
E 6 to 13 mph
21% 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
7 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 12m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 92% of the total distance on major roadways like I 90 and I 94. You'll experience a longest stretch of 146.3 miles on I 90 before needing to transition. The bulk of your travel will be on these high-speed corridors, so expect consistent cruising speeds for most of the 6h 12m trip. Surface roads are minimal, appearing mainly at the beginning and end of the drive.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 146.3 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and I 94. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 16.4 miles in near MT 84 / Montana Highway 84.
Driving Effort
3/10
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 12m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 10 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 16.4 miles (MT 84 / Montana Highway 84): Navigation decision point; at 51.3 miles (West Babcock Street): Navigation decision point; at 52 miles (South 11th Avenue): Navigation decision point.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
4,946 ft
2,362 ft
Total Climb
377 ft
Total Descent
2,961 ft
Highest Point
4,946 ft
Elevation Range
2,584 ft
Notable High Points
4,858 ft at ~73.4 miles
+27 ft prominence
About the Cities
Starting in Ennis, MT
Full guide →Arriving in Miles City, MT
Full guide →Miles City is a city of 8400 people (2020) in Montana. It still has a strong cowboy culture.
Top landmarks
- • Olive Hotel — historic hotel in Miles City, Montana, United States
- • Main Street Historic District — historic district in Miles City, Montana, United States
- • Holy Rosary Hospital — hospital in Montana, United States
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 6h 12m. Total distance: 338.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 12m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 146.3 miles on I 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 10 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 Miles City, 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 10 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 16.4 miles (MT 84 / Montana Highway 84): Navigation decision point; at 51.3 miles (West Babcock Street): Navigation decision point; at 52 miles (South 11th Avenue): Navigation decision point.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.2 hours each way, a round trip means 12.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Miles City, 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.
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