Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Eureka, MT to Miles City, MT
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
11h 34m
Distance
586.3 mi
943 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$106
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
11h 24m
★
6 AM
11h 35m
8 AM
11h 56m
10 AM
11h 42m
12 PM
11h 40m
3 PM
11h 43m
5 PM
11h 54m
8 PM
11h 28m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Eureka, MT
Wikimedia Commons
Miles City, MT
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Eureka, MT to Miles City, MT is 586.3 miles and takes about 11h 34m via US Highway 87 and MT 59, with a fuel budget near $99 and two days recommended to complete. This route spans the Mountain West region of Montana, offering a long-haul experience across the state. Given the distance and estimated drive time, it's best planned as an overnight trip rather than a single-day endeavor. You'll encounter primarily highway driving, making it a straightforward, if lengthy, transit across Montana.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
3 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
293.1 miles from Eureka, MT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 5h 41m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US Highway 87 | 126.8 mi | 2h 16m |
| MT 59 | 82.6 mi | 2h 2m |
| US Route 2 | 80.1 mi | 1h 30m |
| US 87 | 79 mi | 1h 25m |
| US 89 | 76.4 mi | 1h 26m |
| Riverside Drive | 50.1 mi | 56m |
| 10th Avenue South | 22.6 mi | 25m |
| United States Route 89 | 16.8 mi | 18m |
Longest stretch:
US Highway 87
— 126.8 mi, about 2h 16m
Traffic on I-15
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~393 veh/hr typical · worst 526
Quietest
1 AM
~14 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
28.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 103 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 Eureka, MT and Miles City, MT.
1
Start on 2nd Street
97 ft
·
6 sec
·
2nd Street
2
Turn right onto US 93
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
Dewey Avenue
3
Continue on US 93
50 mi
·
56 min
·
Riverside Drive
4
Turn right onto Parkhill Drive
362 ft
·
21 sec
·
Parkhill Drive
5
Turn left onto West 3rd Street
0.2 mi
·
48 sec
·
West 3rd Street
6
Turn left onto Karrow Avenue
364 ft
·
14 sec
·
Karrow Avenue
7
Turn right onto US 93
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
West 2nd Street
8
Turn right onto US 93
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Spokane Avenue
9
Continue on US 93
0.5 mi
·
56 sec
·
US 93 South
10
Turn left onto MT 40
4.5 mi
·
5 min
·
MT 40
11
Continue on US 2
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
US 2
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Continue on US 2
2.0 mi
·
4 min
·
9th Street
13
Continue on US 2
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
US 2
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Continue on US 2
80 mi
·
1 hr 30 min
·
US Route 2
15
Enter roundabout onto US 2; US 89
24 ft
·
0 sec
·
US 2; US 89
16
Continue on US 2; US 89
3.7 mi
·
6 min
·
US 2; US 89
17
Turn straight onto US 89
68 mi
·
1 hr 16 min
·
US 89
18
Enter roundabout onto US 89
526 ft
·
19 sec
·
1st Street Southwest
19
Continue on US 89
107 ft
·
1 sec
·
1st Street Southwest
20
Turn straight onto US 89
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Avenue South
21
Continue on US 89
17 mi
·
18 min
·
United States Route 89
22
Continue on US 89
15 mi
·
15 min
·
1st Road Southeast
23
At end of road, turn left onto US 89; MT 200
7.9 mi
·
9 min
·
US 89; MT 200
24
Take the exit onto US 89; MT 200
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
·
US 89; MT 200
Toward I 15 South: Great Falls
25
Merge onto I 15; US 89; MT 200
9.5 mi
·
8 min
·
First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
26
Take the exit onto I 15 Business
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
I 15 Business
Toward I 15 Business
27
Turn left onto I 15 Business
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Central Avenue West
28
Continue on I 15 Business
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
First Avenue North Bridge
29
Continue on I 15 Business
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
1st Avenue North
30
Turn right onto US 87
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
14th Street North
31
Turn left onto US 87; US 89; MT 3; MT 200
23 mi
·
25 min
·
10th Avenue South
32
Enter roundabout
224 ft
·
2 sec
33
Continue
0.3 mi
·
20 sec
34
Turn straight onto US 87; MT 3; MT 200
64 mi
·
1 hr 9 min
·
US 87; MT 3; MT 200
35
Continue on US 87; US 191; MT 200
15 mi
·
15 min
·
US 87; US 191; MT 200
36
Turn straight onto US 191
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Truck Bypass
37
Continue on 1st Avenue North
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
·
1st Avenue North
38
Turn left onto US 87; MT 200
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
East Main Street
39
Continue on US 87; MT 200
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Northeast Main Street
40
Continue on US 87; MT 200
127 mi
·
2 hr 16 min
·
US Highway 87
41
Turn right onto MT 59
83 mi
·
2 hr 2 min
·
MT 59
42
Turn left onto I 94 Business; MT 59
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
·
Main Street
43
Arrive at destination
MT 59
Trip Plan
For this 586.3-mile drive, it's recommended to split the trip over two days to avoid fatigue, especially given the 11h 34m estimated duration. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize daylight hours for driving. The longest stretch without services is 126.8 miles on US Highway 87, so ensure you have adequate fuel before embarking on that segment. With a fuel cost estimated at $99, budget accordingly. Planning your overnight stop roughly halfway, perhaps around the 290-mile mark, will make for a more balanced and enjoyable two-day transit across Montana.
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.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 3 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 293.1 miles from Eureka, MT, or about 5h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 126.8 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 129 miles or 2h 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 293.1 miles or 5h 41m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 293.1 miles or 5h 41m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 10h 5m
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 Eureka, 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.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Eureka, MT
Aim for roughly 293 miles and 5.8 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Miles City, MT
Aim for roughly 293 miles and 5.8 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 129 miles from Eureka, MT.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 3 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US Highway 87 for about 126.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
193 mi into the route
Best for: Coffee, fuel, and an easy first stretch
This is a natural early stop once the first hours of the drive are behind you.
Second major stop
Overnight candidate
387 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in Great Falls, MTOvernight Options
Night 1
293 mi · about 5.8h in
A practical overnight split lands near Choteau, MT after about 293 miles or 5.8 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 129 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 293.1 miles from Eureka, MT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US Highway 87 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 126.8 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 293 miles or 5.8 hours on the road.
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
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
MT 200 Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Kiwanis Rest Area
0.5 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
1.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
2.4 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 195 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 50.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 93 / Dewey Avenue
Turn right onto US 93 / Dewey Avenue
Navigation decision point
4
50.3 mi into trip
|
~56m in
|
Parkhill Drive
Turn right onto Parkhill Drive
Navigation decision point
5
50.3 mi into trip
|
~57m in
|
West 3rd Street
Turn left onto West 3rd Street
Navigation decision point
5
50.5 mi into trip
|
~57m in
|
Karrow Avenue
Turn left onto Karrow Avenue
Navigation decision point
4
50.6 mi into trip
|
~58m in
|
US 93 / West 2nd Street
Turn right onto US 93 / West 2nd Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$105.60 one way
$211.21 round trip
$4.58/gal
25.4 MPG avg
205 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.78 | $110.29 | $220.58 |
| premium | $5.11 | $117.86 | $235.72 |
| diesel | $6.18 | $142.63 | $285.26 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$106
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$236–$346
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 205.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $62 in charging · 2 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 175.9 | 2 | $61.56 | $28.14 |
| Efficient EV | 146.6 | 1 | $51.30 | $23.45 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 234.5 | 2 | $82.08 | $37.52 |
Gas CO2
205 kg
EV CO2
69 kg (66% less)
Plan for 2 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Eureka, MT
Afternoon in Eureka on Sunday
Local time
2:21 PM
MDT
Current temp
39°F
Partly Cloudy
SE 7 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
High Wind Warning
High Wind Warning issued October 16 at 11:59PM MDT until October 18 at 12:00AM MDT by NWS Great Falls MT
High Wind Warning
High Wind Warning issued October 16 at 11:59PM MDT until October 18 at 12:00AM MDT by NWS Great Falls MT
Destination
Miles City, MT
Afternoon in Miles City on Sunday
Local time
2:21 PM
MDT
Current temp
36°F
Mostly Clear
S 8 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
High Wind Warning
High Wind Warning issued October 16 at 11:59PM MDT until October 18 at 12:00AM MDT by NWS Great Falls MT
High Wind Warning
High Wind Warning issued October 16 at 11:59PM MDT until October 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
11h 34m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Glacier National Park
National Park
A showcase of melting glaciers, alpine meadows, carved valleys, and spectacular lakes. With over 700 miles of trails, Glacier is a paradise for adventurous visitors seeking a landscape steeped in huma...
14 mi from route
~35 min detour
$35
near mile 80.9
Caution: Air Quality Impacted by Wildfire Smoke
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly on highways, with 81% of the 586.3 miles utilizing major roads like US Highway 87 and MT 59. You'll experience a longest stretch of 126.8 miles on US Highway 87, indicating significant stretches of rural cruising. Expect to transition from highway speeds to potentially slower surface roads as you approach your destination, but the bulk of the mileage is on well-maintained routes. There are 3 planned stops, suggesting opportunities to break up the driving.
81% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
43 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 126.8 mi on US Highway 87.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US Highway 87 and MT 59. You will hit about 19 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 93 / Dewey Avenue.
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 586.3 miles you will encounter 19 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: near the start (US 93 / Dewey Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 50.3 miles (Parkhill Drive): Navigation decision point; at 50.3 miles (West 3rd Street): Navigation decision point.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
5,113 ft
2,362 ft
Total Climb
3,211 ft
Total Descent
3,419 ft
Highest Point
5,113 ft
~126.3 mi in
Elevation Range
2,752 ft
Notable High Points
5,113 ft at ~126.3 miles
+1,032 ft prominence
4,289 ft at ~336.8 miles
+269 ft prominence
About the Cities
Starting in Eureka, MT
Full guide →Eureka is a small town in the Tobacco Valley of Northwestern Montana, close to the Canadian border. It is also close to Lake Koocanusa, a reservoir on the Kootenai River with recreational opportunities.
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?
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 3 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
11h 34m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 126.8 miles on US Highway 87. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 293 miles on day one.
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 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 3 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: near the start (US 93 / Dewey Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 50.3 miles (Parkhill Drive): Navigation decision point; at 50.3 miles (West 3rd Street): Navigation decision point.
Yes — Glacier National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 11.6 hours each way, a round trip means 23.2 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, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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