Trip from Livingston, MT to Lincoln, MT

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 20m

Distance

179.4 mi

289 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$28

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min

4 AM

3h 8m ★

6 AM

3h 20m

8 AM

3h 44m

10 AM

3h 29m

12 PM

3h 26m

3 PM

3h 30m

5 PM

3h 43m

8 PM

3h 13m

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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city and the county seat of Park County, Montana, United States

Livingston, MT

Wikimedia Commons

Lincoln, MT

Ramon Perucho

Trip Overview

This 179.4-mile drive from Livingston, Montana, to Lincoln, Montana, is a solid day trip, taking about 3 hours and 20 minutes. Primarily following Highway 287 and I-90, you'll spend about 78% of your time on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $28. Given its manageable length and the straightforward highway-focused profile, it's well-suited for a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. This route stays within the Mountain West region, offering a consistent feel throughout.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

89.7 miles from Livingston, MT

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 38m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Highway 287	62.2 mi	1h 10m
I 90	55.3 mi	56m
Lincoln Road West	30.2 mi	34m
MT 200	11.5 mi	13m
Montana Highway 279	8.4 mi	9m
First Special Service Force Memorial Highway	7.5 mi	7m
I 90 Business	2.5 mi	4m
Lincoln Road East	0.5 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: Highway 287 — 62.2 mi, about 1h 10m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Livingston, MT and Lincoln, MT.

Start on I 90 Business

0.4 mi · 1 min · East Park Street

Use the straight / right lanes.

Turn right onto I 90 Business

2.3 mi · 3 min · I 90 Business

Use the right lane.

Take the ramp onto I 90 Business

0.2 mi · 28 sec · I 90 Business

Merge onto I 90; US 191

55 mi · 56 min · I 90; US 191

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 37 sec

Toward US 287: Helena, Ennis

Turn right onto US 287

62 mi · 1 hr 10 min · Highway 287

Use the straight / right lanes.

Take the exit onto US 287

0.4 mi · 47 sec · US 287

Toward I 15 North: Great Falls

Merge onto I 15; US 287

7.5 mi · 7 min · First Special Service Force Memorial Highway

Use the slight right lane.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 30 sec

Toward MT 279, MT 453 Use the slight right lane.

Turn right onto Lincoln Road East

37 ft · 2 sec · Lincoln Road East

Continue on Lincoln Road East

77 ft · 2 sec · Lincoln Road East

Continue on Lincoln Road East

0.5 mi · 47 sec · Lincoln Road East

Enter roundabout onto Lincoln Road West

121 ft · 2 sec · Lincoln Road West

Continue on Lincoln Road West

2.0 mi · 2 min · Lincoln Road West

Enter roundabout onto S 279

131 ft · 1 sec · Lincoln Road West

Continue on S 279

28 mi · 31 min · Lincoln Road West

Continue on S 279

8.4 mi · 9 min · Montana Highway 279

At end of road, turn left onto MT 200

11 mi · 13 min · MT 200

Turn left onto Stemple Pass Road

62 ft · 2 sec · Stemple Pass Road

Arrive at destination

Stemple Pass Road

Trip Plan

With a total duration of just over 3 hours, this trip is easily manageable in a single day, offering flexibility in your departure time. It's recommended to start your drive with a full tank of gas, as the longest stretch without significant services is 62.2 miles on Highway 287. While the total fuel cost is estimated at $28, keeping an eye on your gauge is always wise. Plan for one main stop to break up the drive, perhaps around the midway point or just before transitioning onto Lincoln Road West, to ensure you arrive in Lincoln refreshed.

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 89.7 miles from Livingston, MT, or about 1h 38m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 62.2 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 39 miles or 42m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 89.7 miles or 1h 38m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 43m

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

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Livingston, 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 Livingston, MT

This is one driving day of about 179.4 miles and 3h 20m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Livingston, 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 Highway 287 for about 62.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

East Helena, MT

90 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

Bozeman, MT

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 39 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Montana City, MT

Meal break

The midpoint is around 89.7 miles from Livingston, MT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Highway 287 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 62.2 miles.

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.

Best meal stop

Faye's Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Livingston, Montana

Near the start, right off the route

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

Hours: 7–11 am

+14062237481

Visit website

The Daily

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Bozeman, Montana

0.1 mi

Rice Fine Thai Cuisine - Livingston

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Livingston, Montana

0.1 mi

Best coffee break · first break window

Treeline Coffee Roasters

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Bozeman, Montana

Near the start, right off the route

First break · 29min in 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

Hours: 6:30 am–4 pm

+14062192501

Visit website

Roly-Poly Coffee Co.

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Bozeman, Montana

0.7 mi

Wild Joe*s Coffee Spot

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Bozeman, Montana

1.1 mi

Faye's Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

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

Livingston, Montana

Hours: 7–11 am

+14062237481

Visit website

The Daily

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

First break 0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Bozeman, Montana

Hours: 6 am–6:30 pm

+14065854574

Visit website

Rice Fine Thai Cuisine - Livingston

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route Moderately

Livingston, Montana

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+14063332289

Visit website

Dave's Sushi

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

First break 0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30

Bozeman, Montana

Hours: 11 am–9:30 pm

+14065561351

Visit website

Western Café

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

First break 1 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Bozeman, Montana

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+14065870436

Visit website

Montana Ale Works

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

First break 1 mi from route ~2 min detour $20 to $30

Bozeman, Montana

Hours: 4–9 pm

+14065877700

Visit website

Applebee's Grill + Bar

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

First break 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour Moderately

Bozeman, Montana

Hours: 11 am–11 pm

+14065873445

Visit website

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.8 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10

Bozeman, Montana

Hours: 7 am–5 pm

Visit website

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

3.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

First break 0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour

Bozeman, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18884672669

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

Bozeman, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Rivian Adventure Network

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.7 mi from route ~4 min detour

Bozeman, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887484262

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour

Belgrade, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

1.0 ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Bozeman, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

EV Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Early in the drive, ~10 min detour

Early stretch 3.8 mi from route ~10 min detour

Belgrade, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+14063887684

Blink Charging Station

2.5 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

First break 3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour

Bozeman, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Blink Charging Station

Near the start, ~9 min detour

First break 3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour

Bozeman, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18889982546

Visit website

Sacajawea Park and Tennis Courts

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

Livingston, Montana

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+14062232233

Visit website

Blackfoot Pathways: Sculpture in the Wild

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Lincoln, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+14064310325

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 14

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 128.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

0.4 mi into trip | ~1m in | I 90 Business

Turn right onto I 90 Business

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

58.3 mi into trip | ~1h 1m in

Take the exit toward US 287: Helena, Ennis

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 287: Helena, Ennis

58.6 mi into trip | ~1h 2m in | US 287 / Highway 287

Turn right onto US 287 / Highway 287

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.

121.2 mi into trip | ~2h 14m in | I 15; US 287 / First Special Service Force Memorial Highway

Merge onto I 15; US 287 / First Special Service Force Memorial Highway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane.

128.7 mi into trip | ~2h 21m in

Take the exit toward MT 279, MT 453

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Toward MT 279, MT 453

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$28.43 one way

$56.86 round trip

$4.03/gal 25.4 MPG avg 63 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.22	$29.80	$59.60
premium	$4.53	$32.00	$64.00
diesel	$5.61	$39.61	$79.22

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$28

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$53–$78

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 62.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	53.8	$18.84	$8.61
Efficient EV	44.9	$15.70	$7.18
EV Truck/SUV	71.8	$25.12	$11.48

Gas CO2

63 kg

EV CO2

21 kg (67% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

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 20, 2026

Origin

Livingston, MT

Late night in Livingston on Tuesday

Local time

2:52 AM

MDT

Current temp

48°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Lincoln, MT

Late night in Lincoln on Tuesday

Local time

2:52 AM

MDT

Current temp

52°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

4 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

3h 20m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-focused drive for most of this journey, with 78% of the route utilizing faster roads. You'll encounter a continuous stretch of 62.2 miles on Highway 287, which should provide a good rhythm for your drive. While predominantly highway, the inclusion of Lincoln Road West suggests a transition to more local or potentially winding roads as you approach your destination. This mix offers a varied driving experience, moving from open highway cruising to more localized routes.

78% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 62.2 mi on Highway 287.

How Hard Is This Drive?

5/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Highway 287 and I 90. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near I 90 Business.

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 179.4 miles you will encounter 14 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 0.4 miles (I 90 Business): Lane positioning matters here; at 58.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 58.6 miles (US 287 / Highway 287): Lane positioning matters here.

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 Livingston, MT to Lincoln, MT, road signs begin pointing toward Ennis along the way.

Ennis

58.3 mi in | ~1h 1m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 20m. Total distance: 179.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (78%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 62.2 miles on Highway 287. 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.

Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.

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.

Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Lincoln, MT, but most travelers stay overnight.

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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Trip from Livingston, MT to Lincoln, MT

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Faye's Cafe

Treeline Coffee Roasters

Faye's Cafe

The Daily

Rice Fine Thai Cuisine - Livingston

Dave's Sushi

Western Café

Montana Ale Works

Applebee's Grill + Bar

RSVP Motel

Treeline Coffee Roasters

Roly-Poly Coffee Co.

Wild Joe*s Coffee Spot

Rockford Coffee

Nexus Drive Up Coffee

Paridae Cafe

Rowan Coffee Roasters

Studio Coffee Roasters

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Rivian Adventure Network

Tesla Supercharger

ChargePoint Charging Station

EV Charging Station

Blink Charging Station

Blink Charging Station

Sacajawea Park and Tennis Courts

Blackfoot Pathways: Sculpture in the Wild

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Livingston, MT

Lincoln, MT

Same local time

4 degrees warmer at arrival

3h 20m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Will I have cell service along this route?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

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