Echo Lake Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
Bigfork, Montana
Hours: 6:30 am–2:30 pm
+14068371000
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h
Distance
279.2 mi
449 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$44
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Evergreen, MT
Wikimedia Commons
Dillon, MT
Wikimedia Commons
Spanning 279.2 miles across Montana, this trek from Evergreen to Dillon is a straightforward journey that typically takes about 5 hours to complete. Because the route is highly efficient, it is well-suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate a combination of MT 83, I-90, and I-15 throughout the drive. Budgeting approximately $44 for fuel should cover your transit costs comfortably. Since both the origin and destination are located within the Mountain West, you can expect a consistent regional feel as you traverse the state. This is a practical, highway-focused route designed for those who prefer to keep moving toward their goal.
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
139.6 miles from Evergreen, MT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 39m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MT 83 | 91.1 mi | 1h 43m |
| I 15 | 56.8 mi | 53m |
| I 90 | 41.4 mi | 38m |
| State Highway 141 | 32.5 mi | 35m |
| MT 200 | 23.8 mi | 25m |
| MT 35 | 15.9 mi | 18m |
| US 12 | 12.9 mi | 14m |
| East Evergreen Drive | 1 mi | 2m |
Step-by-step road directions between Evergreen, MT and Dillon, MT.
Start on US 2
Turn right onto East Evergreen Drive
Turn right onto Helena Flats Road
Turn left onto MT 35
Continue on MT 35
Turn left onto MT 83
Turn left onto MT 200
Turn right onto MT 141
Turn sharp right onto US 12
Turn left
Continue on this road
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 90
Take the exit
Merge onto I 15
Take the exit onto I 15 Bus
Turn right onto Black Tail Boulevard
Continue on West Bannack Street
Turn right onto South Idaho Street
Arrive at destination
To make the most of your 5-hour drive, try to depart early in the morning to avoid midday traffic fluctuations. Given that there is only one planned stop included in this itinerary, use it wisely to refuel your vehicle and stretch your legs before tackling the remaining distance. Because the longest stretch of 91.1 miles occurs on MT 83, ensure your fuel tank is topped off before you turn onto that section to avoid any mid-route concerns. Flexibility is a major advantage here, as the manageable duration allows you to adjust your departure time based on personal preference. Keep a steady pace on the interstate sections to maintain your arrival schedule without unnecessary stress.
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.
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 61 miles or 1h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 139.6 miles or 2h 39m 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 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Dillon, MT than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Evergreen, 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 Evergreen, MT
This is one driving day of about 279.2 miles and 5h.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
140 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.
A short stop after about 61 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 139.6 miles from Evergreen, MT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before MT 83 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 91.1 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Top Restaurant
Bigfork, Montana
Near the start, right off the route
Hours: 6:30 am–2:30 pm
+14068371000
Top Coffee Stop
Kalispell, Montana
Near the start, short detour
Hours: 11 am–6 pm
+14064077707
Near the start, right off the route
Bigfork, Montana
Hours: 6:30 am–2:30 pm
+14068371000
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Bigfork, Montana
Hours: 7 am–2:30 pm
+14068377223
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Kalispell, Montana
Hours: 11 am–9 pm
+14067552401
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~9 min detour
Seeley Lake, Montana
Hours: 8 am–2 pm
+14066772900
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Kalispell, Montana
Hours: 11 am–6 pm
+14064077707
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Bigfork, Montana
Hours: 7 am–4 pm
+14064202238
Visit websiteNear the start, ~12 min detour
Bigfork, Montana
Hours: 7 am–2 pm
+14069827845
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Kalispell, Montana
+18887584389
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Kalispell, Montana
Hours: Open 24 hours
+15106572635
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Kalispell, Montana
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Butte, Montana
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18777983752
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Butte, Montana
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18336322778
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Kalispell, Montana
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18668167584
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Dillon, Montana
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18887584389
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Kalispell, Montana
+14067515050
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Kalispell, Montana
Hours: Open 24 hours
+14067587718
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.2 and 277.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn left onto MT 35
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto MT 83
Lane positioning matters here
Turn sharp right onto US 12
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Take the exit toward I 15 South: Dillon, Idaho Falls
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit onto I 15 Bus toward I 15 Business, MT 41: Dillon, Twin Bridges
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$44.24 one way
$88.49 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.22 | $46.38 | $92.75 |
| premium | $4.53 | $49.81 | $99.61 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $61.64 | $123.29 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 97.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 83.8 | 1 | $29.32 | $13.40 |
| Efficient EV | 69.8 | 0 | $24.43 | $11.17 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 111.7 | 1 | $39.09 | $17.87 |
Gas CO2
98 kg
EV CO2
33 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Evergreen on Saturday
Local time
10:34 PM
MDT
Current temp
39°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Destination
Night in Dillon on Saturday
Local time
10:34 PM
MDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Expect a drive defined by high-speed travel, as 99% of your journey takes place on highways. The road's personality shifts from the local rhythm of MT 83, which features the longest uninterrupted stretch of 91.1 miles, to the faster, more industrial pace of the interstate system. You will spend the bulk of your time on I-90 and I-15, where the driving is consistent and predictable. This highway-focused profile means you can cover significant ground quickly, though the terrain remains firmly rooted in the Mountain West. It is an ideal route if you want to minimize technical navigation and focus on making steady progress.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MT 83 and I 15. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 1.2 miles in near MT 35.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 5h drive. You will face about 14 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.2 miles (MT 35): Lane positioning matters here; at 17 miles (MT 83): Lane positioning matters here; at 164.4 miles (US 12): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach.
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
Total Climb
3,262 ft
Total Descent
1,114 ft
Highest Point
5,873 ft
~232.7 mi in
Elevation Range
2,950 ft
Notable High Points
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Evergreen, MT to Dillon, MT, road signs begin pointing toward Idaho Falls along the way.
Idaho Falls
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h. Total distance: 279.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Straightforward navigation.
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, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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