Hardin, MT to Evergreen, MT is 498.4 miles and takes about 8h 39m via I 90 and MT 83, with a fuel budget near $80 and likely an overnight stop. This route stays within the Mountain West region, primarily traversing Montana. It's a solid choice if you're looking for a straightforward drive with minimal fuss and a high percentage of highway cruising. With a recommended two days for the trip, you can comfortably cover the distance without feeling rushed.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
249.2 miles from Hardin, MT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 8m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
318.5 mi
5h 13m
MT 83
91.1 mi
1h 43m
MT 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
North Crawford Avenue
0.8 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 318.5 mi, about 5h 13m
Traffic on I-90
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 28 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~713 veh/hr typical
· worst 909
Quietest
2 AM
~42 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Hardin, MT and Evergreen, MT.
1
Start on North Crawford Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·North Crawford Avenue
2
Continue on North Crawford Avenue
0.3 mi·27 sec·North Crawford Avenue
3
Continue on I 90 Bus; MT 47
0.2 mi·18 sec·I 90 Bus; MT 47
4
Continue on I 90 Business; MT 47
498 ft·17 sec·I 90 Business; MT 47
5
Take the ramp onto I 90 Business
0.3 mi·41 sec·I 90 Business
6
Merge onto I 90; US 87; US 212
43 mi·40 min·I 90; US 87; US 212
7
Continue on I 90; US 212
113 mi·1 hr 51 min·I 90; US 212
8
Continue on I 90; US 89; US 191
7.0 mi·6 min·I 90; US 89; US 191
9
Continue on I 90; US 191
113 mi·1 hr 54 min·I 90; US 191
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
43 mi·39 min·I 90
Toward I 90 West: Missoula
11
Take the exit
1.2 mi·2 min
Toward US 12 East: Helena, Garrison
12
At end of road, turn right onto US 12
13 mi·14 min·US 12
13
Turn sharp left onto MT 141
32 mi·35 min·MT 141
14
At end of road, turn left onto MT 200
24 mi·25 min·MT 200
15
Turn right onto MT 83
91 mi·1 hr 43 min·MT 83
16
At end of road, turn right onto MT 35
11 mi·13 min·MT 35
17
Continue on MT 35
4.5 mi·5 min·MT 35
Use the straight lane.
18
Turn right onto Helena Flats Road
0.1 mi·19 sec·Helena Flats Road
19
Turn left onto East Evergreen Drive
1.0 mi·2 min·East Evergreen Drive
20
Turn left onto US 2
26 ft·0 sec·La Salle Road
21
Arrive at destination
US 2
Trip Plan
Given the 8h 39m driving time, splitting this into two days is highly recommended to avoid fatigue. Aim to depart after morning rush hour if applicable, or early to maximize daylight. Plan for about two stops, which should be sufficient for breaks and refueling along the 498.4-mile route. Keep an eye on your fuel levels as you approach the end of the interstate portion; services might be more spread out on MT 83 and MT 141. Your estimated fuel cost is around $80.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 249.2 miles from Hardin, MT, or about 4h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 318.5 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 110 miles or 1h 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 249.2 miles or 4h 8m 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 249.2 miles or 4h 8m
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 7h 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Evergreen, MT than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Hardin, 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 Hardin, MT
Aim for roughly 249 miles and 4.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Evergreen, MT
Aim for roughly 249 miles and 4.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 110 miles from Hardin, MT.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 90 for about 318.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 1 and 333.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
1 mi into trip|~3m in|I 90 Business
Take the ramp onto I 90 Business
Navigation decision point
5
277.2 mi into trip|~4h 37m in|I 90
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90 toward I 90 West: Missoula
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 90 West: Missoula
5
319.8 mi into trip|~5h 17m in
Take the exit toward US 12 East: Helena, Garrison
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 12 East: Helena, Garrison
5
321 mi into trip|~5h 19m in|US 12
At end of road, turn right onto US 12
Navigation decision point
5
333.9 mi into trip|~5h 33m in|MT 141
Turn sharp left onto MT 141
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$77.68 one way
$155.37 round trip
$3.96/gal25.4 MPG avg174 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.17
$81.88
$163.77
premium
$4.47
$87.79
$175.58
diesel
$4.80
$94.11
$188.21
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$78
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$208–$318
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 174.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $52 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
149.5
1
$52.33
$23.92
Efficient EV
124.6
1
$43.61
$19.94
EV Truck/SUV
199.4
2
$69.78
$31.90
Gas CO2
174 kg
EV CO2
58 kg (67% 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 Jul 16, 2026
Origin
Hardin, MT
Evening
in Hardin on Saturday
Local time
7:20 PM
MDT
Current temp
94°F
Mostly Sunny
ENE 8 mph9% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 16 at 4:29PM MDT until July 16 at 5:30PM MDT by NWS Great Falls MT
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 16 at 4:28PM MDT until July 16 at 5:30PM MDT by NWS Great Falls MT
Destination
Evergreen, MT
Evening
in Evergreen on Saturday
Local time
7:20 PM
MDT
Current temp
91°F
Slight Chance Light Rain
ESE 3 mph17% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 16 at 4:29PM MDT until July 16 at 5:30PM MDT by NWS Great Falls MT
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 16 at 4:28PM MDT until July 16 at 5:30PM 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
8h 39m 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.
Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument
National Monument
This land is a place to honor and reflect on the sacrifices made here on June 25 and 26, 1876, when Lakota, Cheyenne, and Arapaho warriors fought against a deliberate attack by the U.S. Army's 7th Cav...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll be on highways for about 99% of this drive, with the bulk of it, 318.5 miles, on I 90. The transition to surface roads happens late in the trip, with MT 83 and MT 141 making up the final miles. Expect long stretches of rural cruising with fewer exits once you're off the interstate. The drive is predominantly highway, so you'll notice the efficiency of covering large distances quickly.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 318.5 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and MT 83. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in near I 90 Business.
Driving Effort4/10
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 8h 39m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 12 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1 miles (I 90 Business): Navigation decision point; at 277.2 miles (I 90): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 319.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
5,409 ft2,906 ft
Total Climb
3,686 ft
Total Descent
3,668 ft
Highest Point
5,409 ft
~178 mi in
Elevation Range
2,503 ft
Notable High Points
5,409 ft at ~178 miles+1,128 ft prominence
5,221 ft at ~284.8 miles+673 ft prominence
4,468 ft at ~356 miles+102 ft prominence
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Hardin, MT to Evergreen, MT, road signs begin pointing toward Garrison along the way.
Kalispell is a town in Montana, near Glacier National Park. The name of the town means "flat land above the lake" in Salish, a Native American language. The population is about 23,000 (2016).
The longest stretch is about 318.5 miles on I 90. 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 249 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 18 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 Evergreen, 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 18 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 1 miles (I 90 Business): Navigation decision point; at 277.2 miles (I 90): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 319.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.7 hours each way, a round trip means 17.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Evergreen, MT before the return drive.
