Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Livingston, MT to Plentywood, MT
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
8h 14m
Distance
470.3 mi
757 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$64
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
8h 7m
★
6 AM
8h 15m
8 AM
8h 30m
10 AM
8h 20m
12 PM
8h 19m
3 PM
8h 21m
5 PM
8h 29m
8 PM
8h 10m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Livingston, MT
Wikimedia Commons
Plentywood, MT
Walter Coppola
Trip Overview
Livingston, MT to Plentywood, MT is 470.3 miles and takes about 8h 14m via I 90 and I 94, with a fuel budget near $83 and enough daylight to finish in a day if you start early. This trip stays within Montana, traversing the Mountain West region from start to finish. The majority of this drive is on major interstates, making it a straightforward path across the state. While you could technically complete this in one day, splitting it over two days allows for a more relaxed pace and the chance to break up the driving.
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
235.2 miles from Livingston, MT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 59m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 94 | 212.2 mi | 3h 32m |
| I 90 | 118.1 mi | 1h 58m |
| MT 16 | 49 mi | 56m |
| Theodore Roosevelt Expressway | 46.1 mi | 52m |
| State Highway 16 | 35.6 mi | 40m |
| East Park Street | 3.6 mi | 6m |
| South Central Avenue | 2.6 mi | 3m |
| West Holly Street | 1.4 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 94
— 212.2 mi, about 3h 32m
Traffic on I-90
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 32 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~796 veh/hr typical · worst 1,029
Quietest
2 AM
~45 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 103 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 Livingston, MT and Plentywood, MT.
1
Start on I 90 Business
3.6 mi
·
6 min
·
East Park Street
2
Take the ramp onto I 90 Business
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
I 90 Business
3
Merge onto I 90; US 89; US 191
2.0 mi
·
1 min
·
I 90; US 89; US 191
4
Continue on I 90; US 191
113 mi
·
1 hr 53 min
·
I 90; US 191
5
Continue on I 90; US 87; US 212
3.1 mi
·
3 min
·
I 90; US 87; US 212
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94
212 mi
·
3 hr 32 min
·
I 94
Toward I 94 East: Bismark
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Toward MT 16: Glendive, Sidney
8
Turn left onto MT 16
49 mi
·
56 min
·
MT 16
9
Enter roundabout onto MT 16; MT 200
130 ft
·
1 sec
·
South Central Avenue
10
Continue on MT 16; MT 200
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
South Central Avenue
11
Turn left onto MT 16
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
West Holly Street
12
Continue on MT 16
36 mi
·
40 min
·
State Highway 16
13
Turn right onto MT 16
0.3 mi
·
24 sec
·
Broadway Avenue
14
At end of road, turn right onto US 2; MT 16
370 ft
·
17 sec
·
6th Street East
15
Turn left onto MT 16
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
1st Avenue East
16
Continue on MT 16
46 mi
·
52 min
·
Theodore Roosevelt Expressway
17
Continue on MT 5; MT 16
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
East 1st Avenue
18
Turn left onto South Washington Street
211 ft
·
9 sec
·
South Washington Street
19
Arrive at destination
South Washington Street
Trip Plan
For this 470.3-mile drive, consider starting early to maximize daylight, especially if you plan to complete it in one go. With 8 hours and 14 minutes of estimated driving time, breaking it into two days is a good option. Aim to stop around the halfway point to rest and refuel. Given the significant highway portion, keep an eye on your fuel gauge as services can be spread out, particularly on the longer stretches of I 94. Planning your fuel stops before embarking on the 212.2-mile segment on I 94 is a smart move.
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 235.2 miles from Livingston, MT, or about 3h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 212.2 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 103 miles or 1h 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 235.2 miles or 3h 59m 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 235.2 miles or 3h 59m
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 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Plentywood, 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.
+
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 Livingston, MT
Aim for roughly 235 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Plentywood, MT
Aim for roughly 235 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 103 miles from Livingston, 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 94 for about 212.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Overnight candidate
235 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in Forsyth, MTOvernight Options
Night 1
235 mi · about 4.1h in
A practical overnight split lands near Forsyth, MT after about 235 miles or 4.1 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 103 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 235.2 miles from Livingston, MT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 94 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 212.2 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 235 miles or 4.1 hours on the road.
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.
Rest Area
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 105 decision points cluster between mile 121.9 and 423.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
121.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 5m in
|
I 94
Keep slight left at fork onto I 94 toward I 94 East: Bismark
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 94 East: Bismark
5
334.1 mi into trip
|
~5h 38m in
Take the exit toward MT 16: Glendive, Sidney
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward MT 16: Glendive, Sidney
4
383.3 mi into trip
|
~6h 35m in
|
MT 16; MT 200 / South Central Avenue
Enter roundabout onto MT 16; MT 200 / South Central Avenue
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
423.2 mi into trip
|
~7h 20m in
|
US 2; MT 16 / 6th Street East
At end of road, turn right onto US 2; MT 16 / 6th Street East
Navigation decision point
5
423.3 mi into trip
|
~7h 20m in
|
MT 16 / 1st Avenue East
Turn left onto MT 16 / 1st Avenue East
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$63.88 one way
$127.76 round trip
$3.45/gal
25.4 MPG avg
165 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.85 | $71.29 | $142.57 |
| premium | $4.15 | $76.84 | $153.68 |
| diesel | $3.75 | $69.43 | $138.87 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$64
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$194–$304
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 164.5 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $49 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 141.1 | 1 | $49.38 | $22.57 |
| Efficient EV | 117.6 | 1 | $41.15 | $18.81 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 188.1 | 2 | $65.84 | $30.10 |
Gas CO2
165 kg
EV CO2
55 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.
Origin
Livingston, MT
Morning in Livingston on Saturday
Local time
9:43 AM
MDT
Current temp
42°F
Partly Cloudy
SW 16 to 30 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
High Wind Warning
High Wind Warning issued October 16 at 6:06PM MDT until October 18 at 12:00AM MDT by NWS Great Falls MT
High Wind Warning
High Wind Warning issued October 16 at 6:06PM MDT until October 18 at 12:00AM MDT by NWS Great Falls MT
Destination
Plentywood, MT
Morning in Plentywood on Saturday
Local time
9:43 AM
MDT
Current temp
36°F
Mostly Clear
S 6 to 10 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
High Wind Warning
High Wind Warning issued October 16 at 6:06PM MDT until October 18 at 12:00AM MDT by NWS Great Falls MT
High Wind Warning
High Wind Warning issued October 16 at 6:06PM MDT until October 18 at 12:00AM MDT by NWS Great Falls MT
39°F
Forsyth, MT
235 mi in
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
6 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 14m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 98% of the 470.3 miles on interstates. You'll experience a long stretch of 212.2 miles on I 94, which means extended periods of rural cruising with fewer exits. The transition to surface roads, primarily MT 16, will occur closer to your destination in Plentywood. Expect relatively straightforward driving conditions without significant mountain grades or complex urban merging.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 212.2 mi on I 94.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and I 90. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 121.9 miles in near I 94.
Driving Effort
4/10
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 14m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 10 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 121.9 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 334.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 383.3 miles (MT 16; MT 200 / South Central Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
4,502 ft
2,000 ft
Total Climb
408 ft
Total Descent
2,862 ft
Highest Point
4,502 ft
Elevation Range
2,502 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Plentywood, MT, road signs begin pointing toward Sidney along the way.
Sidney
334.1 mi in
|
~5h 38m
About the Cities
Starting in Livingston, MT
Full guide →Founded 1882
Livingston is a city in the Yellowstone Country of Montana. It is the northern entrance to Yellowstone National Park. Livingston is commonly called "The Gateway City" because it was the original entrance to Yellowstone.
Top landmarks
- • The Murray Hotel — historic hotel in Livingston, Montana, USA
Arriving in Plentywood, MT
Full guide →Plentywood is a city in Eastern Montana.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
8h 14m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 212.2 miles on I 94. 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 235 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 11 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 Plentywood, 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 11 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 121.9 miles (I 94): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 334.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 383.3 miles (MT 16; MT 200 / South Central Avenue): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.2 hours each way, a round trip means 16.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Plentywood, 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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