Old Town Cafe
Near the end, right off the route
West Yellowstone, Montana
Hours: 7 am–9 pm
+14066460126
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 50m
Distance
372.2 mi
599 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$59
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
West Yellowstone, MT
Wikimedia Commons
Evergreen, MT to West Yellowstone, MT is 372.2 miles and takes about 6h 50m via MT 83, US 287, and I 90, with a fuel budget near $59 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within the Mountain West region, offering a straightforward drive for those heading south from the Evergreen area. With 97% of the trip on highways, it's a quick transit, making it ideal for a single-day journey. You'll find the convenience of mostly highway driving allows for efficient travel between these two Montana points.
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
186.1 miles from Evergreen, MT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 29m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MT 83 | 91.1 mi | 1h 43m |
| US 287 | 90.9 mi | 1h 42m |
| I 90 | 45 mi | 42m |
| I 15 | 33.9 mi | 34m |
| State Highway 141 | 32.5 mi | 35m |
| MT 200 | 23.8 mi | 25m |
| MT 35 | 15.9 mi | 18m |
| MT 359 | 14.6 mi | 17m |
Step-by-step road directions between Evergreen, MT and West Yellowstone, 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
Keep slight right at fork onto I 15; I 90
Take the exit
Turn right onto MT 2
Continue on MT 359
At end of road, turn right onto US 287
At end of road, turn left onto US 287
At end of road, turn right onto US 191 US 287
Continue on US 191; US 287
Turn right onto US 20
Turn left onto Electric Street
Arrive at destination
Given the 6h 50m estimated drive time, you can comfortably complete this trip in one day. Aim to depart Evergreen in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for a relaxed pace. The longest stretch without a major break is 91.1 miles on MT 83, so plan your stops accordingly, perhaps around the halfway point of that segment. With a fuel cost estimate of $59, it's wise to fill up your tank before leaving Evergreen, as services might be more spaced out on certain highway sections. This route is designed for efficiency, so you can focus on reaching West Yellowstone without much logistical hassle.
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 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 82 miles or 1h 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 186.1 miles or 3h 29m 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 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near West Yellowstone, 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 372.2 miles and 6h 50m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
186 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 82 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 186.1 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.
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Best meal stop · home stretch
West Yellowstone, Montana
Near the end, right off the route
Hours: 7 am–9 pm
+14066460126
Sesame Wok
Deer Lodge, Montana
Chinese Thai Restaurant
Deer Lodge, Montana
Best coffee break · first break window
Bigfork, Montana
Near the start, right off the route
Hours: 7 am–2 pm
+14069827845
Kaffeination Station
Deer Lodge, Montana
Chi Cafe
Kalispell, Montana
Near the end, right off the route
West Yellowstone, Montana
Hours: 7 am–9 pm
+14066460126
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Deer Lodge, Montana
Hours: 10:30 am–8 pm
+14068464035
Around the midpoint, short detour
Deer Lodge, Montana
+13473033403
Near the start, short detour
Kalispell, Montana
Hours: 11 am–9 pm
+14067552401
Visit websiteNear the start, ~12 min detour
Bigfork, Montana
Hours: 6:30 am–2:30 pm
+14068371000
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, ~12 min detour
Garrison, Montana
Hours: 7 am–8 pm
+14064926381
Near the start, right off the route
Bigfork, Montana
Hours: 7 am–2 pm
+14069827845
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Deer Lodge, Montana
Hours: 7 am–2 pm
+14068467603
Near the start, short detour
Kalispell, Montana
Hours: 11 am–6 pm
+14064077707
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
West Yellowstone, Montana
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
West Yellowstone, Montana
+14066467365
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
West Yellowstone, Montana
+14065867593
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 websiteNear the start, short detour
Kalispell, Montana
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18668167584
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Kalispell, Montana
+14067515050
Visit websiteAround the midpoint, short detour
Deer Lodge, Montana
Hours: 9 am–4:30 pm
+14068462070
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Kalispell, Montana
Hours: Open 24 hours
+14067587718
Visit websiteLater in the drive, ~12 min detour
Whitehall, MT
Hours: Open 24 hours
+14062873541
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.2 and 257.8 — 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
Keep slight right at fork onto I 15; I 90
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward MT 359: Cardwell, Boulder
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Regular Gas
$58.98 one way
$117.96 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.22 | $61.82 | $123.65 |
| premium | $4.53 | $66.40 | $132.79 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $82.18 | $164.35 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$59
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$84–$109
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 130.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 111.7 | 1 | $39.08 | $17.87 |
| Efficient EV | 93.1 | 1 | $32.57 | $14.89 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 148.9 | 1 | $52.11 | $23.82 |
Gas CO2
130 kg
EV CO2
44 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
Late night in Evergreen on Tuesday
Local time
2:53 AM
MDT
Current temp
54°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in West Yellowstone on Tuesday
Local time
2:53 AM
MDT
Current temp
45°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
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
National Park
On March 1, 1872, Yellowstone became the first national park for all to enjoy the unique hydrothermal wonders. Today, millions of people come here each year to camp, hike, and enjoy the majesty of the...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 97% of the 372.2 miles spent on high-speed roads. You'll encounter a significant stretch of 91.1 miles on MT 83, which is the longest continuous segment of highway. Expect a consistent cruising experience for most of the trip, with minimal transitions to surface roads until the very end of your drive. The profile suggests a generally open road feel, suitable for maintaining steady speeds.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MT 83 and US 287. 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.
The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 50m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 17 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
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.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Evergreen, MT to West Yellowstone, MT, road signs begin pointing toward Boulder along the way.
Boulder
West Yellowstone, Montana, is a rustic mountain town nestled between National Forest lands and is the gateway to Yellowstone National Park. It is only a mile from the park entrance, and the town's airport is the closest to the park, and to attractions like Old Faithful.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 50m. Total distance: 372.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 50m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). 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 NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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