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Trip from Hamilton, MT to Billings, MT

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

6h 30m

Distance

329.5 mi

530 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$52

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
6h 18m ★
6 AM
6h 30m
8 AM
6h 55m
10 AM
6h 39m
12 PM
6h 36m
3 PM
6h 40m
5 PM
6h 54m
8 PM
6h 23m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Hamilton, MT, MT

Hamilton, MT

Russ

city in and county seat of Yellowstone County, Montana, United States

Billings, MT

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 329.5-mile drive from Hamilton, Montana, to Billings, Montana, is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can comfortably be completed in about 6 hours and 30 minutes. You'll primarily be on I-90 and I-15, with a portion of the Skalkaho Highway mixed in, making it an ideal candidate for a single-day trip. With an estimated fuel cost of $52, it's an economical option for exploring the Mountain West region. This route offers a direct path across Montana, making it a practical choice for getting from point A to point B efficiently.

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

164.8 miles from Hamilton, MT

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 42m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 90 125.6 mi 2h 3m
I 15 110.8 mi 1h 51m
Skalkaho Highway 33.1 mi 1h 3m
Pintler Veterans' Memorial Scenic Highway 28.2 mi 38m
Skalkaho Road 21 mi 34m
West Park Avenue 3 mi 4m
South 1st Street 2.8 mi 5m
Montana Avenue 2.2 mi 4m
Longest stretch: I 90 — 125.6 mi, about 2h 3m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Hamilton, MT and Billings, MT.

1

Start on S-531

0.2 mi · 51 sec · West Main Street
2

Turn right onto US 93

2.8 mi · 5 min · South 1st Street
3

Turn left onto MT 38

33 mi · 1 hr 3 min · Skalkaho Highway
Use the left lane.
4

Continue on MT 38

21 mi · 34 min · Skalkaho Road
5

At end of road, turn right onto MT 1

21 mi · 31 min · Pintler Veterans' Memorial Scenic Highway
6

Continue on MT 1

3.0 mi · 4 min · West Park Avenue
7

Continue on MT 1

6.9 mi · 7 min · Pintler Veterans' Memorial Scenic Highway
8

Keep slight right at fork

0.7 mi · 59 sec
9

Merge onto I 90

13 mi · 12 min · I 90
10

Keep slight right at fork onto I 15; I 90

111 mi · 1 hr 51 min · I 15; I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Continue on I 90; US 89; US 191

6.9 mi · 6 min · I 90; US 89; US 191
12

Continue on I 90; US 191

105 mi · 1 hr 44 min · I 90; US 191
13

Take the exit onto I 90 Business

0.4 mi · 47 sec · I 90 Business
Toward I 90 Business: West Billings
14

Keep slight left at fork onto I 90 Business

1.7 mi · 2 min · I 90 Business
Toward I 90 Business: City Center
15

Keep slight left at fork onto I 90 Business

1.3 mi · 2 min · Montana Avenue
16

Continue on I 90 Business

0.9 mi · 2 min · Montana Avenue
17

Arrive at destination

I 90 Business

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 6-and-a-half-hour drive, consider an early morning departure from Hamilton to maximize daylight hours. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing your journey. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before embarking on the longest stretch of 125.6 miles on I-90. Planning your fuel stops in advance will ensure a smooth and uninterrupted trip to Billings. Given its manageable duration, this route is best suited for a single-day adventure, allowing for spontaneous breaks as needed.

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 164.8 miles from Hamilton, MT, or about 3h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 125.6 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 72 miles or 2h 5m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 164.8 miles or 3h 42m 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 27m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Billings, MT than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Hamilton, 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 Hamilton, MT

This is one driving day of about 329.5 miles and 6h 30m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 72 miles from Hamilton, 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 125.6 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in and the county seat of Powell County, Montana, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Deer Lodge, MT

165 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

Deer Lodge, MT

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 72 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Belgrade, MT

Meal break

The midpoint is around 164.8 miles from Hamilton, MT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 125.6 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Maria's

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Hamilton, Montana

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Hours: 11 am–7 pm

+14063637710

McCormick Cafe

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Billings, Montana

0 mi

Red Rooster Artisan Bakery

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Hamilton, Montana

0.3 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Treeline Coffee Roasters

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Bozeman, Montana

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 188.3

Hours: 6:30 am–4 pm

+14062192501

Visit website

Roly-Poly Coffee Co.

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Bozeman, Montana

0.4 mi

Marble Coffee Co

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Billings, Montana

0.2 mi

Maria's

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Hamilton, Montana

Hours: 11 am–7 pm

+14063637710

McCormick Cafe

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 329.5

Billings, Montana

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+14062559555

Visit website

Red Rooster Artisan Bakery

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Hamilton, Montana

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+14063811129

Visit website

The Daily

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 188.3

Bozeman, Montana

Hours: 6 am–6:30 pm

+14065854574

Visit website

Coffee Cup Cafe

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Hamilton, Montana

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+14063633822

Visit website

Montana Ale Works

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30 mile 188.3

Bozeman, Montana

Hours: 4–9 pm

+14065877700

Visit website

Los Pinos Mexican Restaurant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 211.8

Livingston, Montana

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+14069461286

Visit website

Western Café

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 188.3

Bozeman, Montana

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+14065870436

Visit website

Treeline Coffee Roasters

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 188.3

Bozeman, Montana

Hours: 6:30 am–4 pm

+14062192501

Visit website

Roly-Poly Coffee Co.

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 188.3

Bozeman, Montana

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+14069228080

Visit website

Marble Coffee Co

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $10 to $20 mile 329.5

Billings, Montana

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+14063847764

Visit website

Bearded Bean Coffee Co

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 329.5

Billings, Montana

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

+14066967859

Black Dog Coffee House x 10th Ave

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 329.5

Billings, Montana

Hours: 6:30 am–2 pm

+14062818550

Visit website

Wild Joe*s Coffee Spot

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 188.3

Bozeman, Montana

Hours: 6:30 am–6 pm

+14065861212

Visit website

Rockford Coffee

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 188.3

Bozeman, Montana

Hours: 6:30 am–6 pm

+14065561053

Visit website

Nexus Drive Up Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 188.3

Bozeman, Montana

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+14065458089

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 188.3

Bozeman, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18884672669

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 188.3

Bozeman, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Rivian Adventure Network

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 188.3

Bozeman, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887484262

Visit website

EvGateway Charging Station

1.4 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route

Hamilton, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+19499452000

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 188.3

Bozeman, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

2.5 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 188.3

Bozeman, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 188.3

Bozeman, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 47.1

Philipsburg, Montana

+18777861545

Visit website

Wise Wonders Science and Discovery Museum

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 329.5

Billings, Montana

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+14067021280

Visit website

Claudia Driscoll Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

Hamilton, Montana

Hours: 5 am–8 pm

+14063632101

Visit website

After Rage

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 329.5

Billings, Montana

Hours: 3:30–9 pm

+14063715114

Visit website

Sacajawea Park and Tennis Courts

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 211.8

Livingston, Montana

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+14062232233

Visit website

DanWalt Botanical Gardens

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 329.5

Billings, Montana

Hours: 9 am–5:30 pm

+14062484003

Visit website

The Grand Escape Room

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 329.5

Billings, Montana

Hours: 11 am–8:30 pm

+14068608243

Visit website

Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 141.2

Whitehall, MT

Hours: Open 24 hours

+14062873541

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 9

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 325.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

4
0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | US 93 / South 1st Street

Turn right onto US 93 / South 1st Street

Navigation decision point

5
3 mi into trip | ~5m in | MT 38 / Skalkaho Highway

Turn left onto MT 38 / Skalkaho Highway

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
5
57.1 mi into trip | ~1h 42m in | MT 1 / Pintler Veterans' Memorial Scenic Highway

At end of road, turn right onto MT 1 / Pintler Veterans' Memorial Scenic Highway

Navigation decision point

6
102.3 mi into trip | ~2h 39m in | I 15; I 90

Keep slight right at fork onto I 15; I 90

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
325.6 mi into trip | ~6h 22m in | I 90 Business

Keep slight left at fork onto I 90 Business toward I 90 Business: City Center

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward I 90 Business: City Center

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$52.21 one way

$104.43 round trip

$4.03/gal 25.4 MPG avg 115 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.22 $54.73 $109.46
premium $4.53 $58.78 $117.56
diesel $5.61 $72.75 $145.50

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$52

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$77–$102

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 115.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $35 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 98.9 1 $34.60 $15.82
Efficient EV 82.4 0 $28.83 $13.18
EV Truck/SUV 131.8 1 $46.13 $21.09

Gas CO2

115 kg

EV CO2

39 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Hamilton, MT

Night in Hamilton on Saturday

Local time

10:33 PM

MDT

Current temp

43°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Billings, MT

Night in Billings on Saturday

Local time

10:33 PM

MDT

Current temp

74°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

31 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 30m 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?

Expect a predominantly highway experience, with 72% of the drive taking place on major interstates like I-90 and I-15. You'll encounter one significant uninterrupted stretch of 125.6 miles on I-90, so plan your stops accordingly. While mostly interstate driving, the inclusion of the Skalkaho Highway introduces a different road character for a portion of your journey. This mix means you'll experience both high-speed travel and potentially more winding sections, keeping the driving engaging.

72% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 125.6 mi on I 90.

How Hard Is This Drive?

5/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and I 15. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near US 93 / South 1st Street.

Driving Effort 5/10

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 329.5 miles you will encounter 9 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 0.2 miles (US 93 / South 1st Street): Navigation decision point; at 3 miles (MT 38 / Skalkaho Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 57.1 miles (MT 1 / Pintler Veterans' Memorial Scenic Highway): Navigation decision point.

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 30m. Total distance: 329.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 30m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (72%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 125.6 miles on I 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

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 Billings, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

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 0.2 miles (US 93 / South 1st Street): Navigation decision point; at 3 miles (MT 38 / Skalkaho Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 57.1 miles (MT 1 / Pintler Veterans' Memorial Scenic Highway): Navigation decision point.

Not recommended in a single day. At 6.5 hours each way, a round trip means 13.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Billings, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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