Origin
Manhattan, MT
Late night in Manhattan on Sunday
Local time
1:43 AM
MDT
Current temp
39°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Manhattan, 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
2h 45m
Distance
161.3 mi
260 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 35m
★
6 AM
2h 46m
8 AM
3h 7m
10 AM
2h 53m
12 PM
2h 51m
3 PM
2h 54m
5 PM
3h 6m
8 PM
2h 39m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Manhattan, MT
Charles Parker
Billings, MT
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Manhattan, MT to Billings, MT is 161.3 miles and takes about 2h 45m via I 90, with a fuel budget near $26 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward, same-day drive connecting two points within the Mountain West region of Montana. Expect a highway-focused experience for the majority of your journey. Given its relatively short duration and the fact that it's a single-day trip, this route offers a good deal of flexibility for your schedule. It's a practical option for getting between these two Montana cities efficiently.
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
80.6 miles from Manhattan, MT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 21m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 156.1 mi | 2h 36m |
| Montana Avenue | 2.2 mi | 4m |
| I 90 Business | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| Broadway Street South | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Churchill Road | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 156.1 mi, about 2h 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Manhattan, MT and Billings, MT.
1
Start on Broadway Street South
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
Broadway Street South
2
Continue on Churchill Road
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
·
Churchill Road
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
4
Merge onto I 90
156 mi
·
2 hr 36 min
·
I 90
5
Take the exit onto I 90 Business
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
·
I 90 Business
Toward I 90 Business: West Billings
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90 Business
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
I 90 Business
Toward I 90 Business: City Center
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90 Business
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Montana Avenue
8
Continue on I 90 Business
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Montana Avenue
9
Arrive at destination
I 90 Business
Trip Plan
For this 161.3-mile drive, leaving Manhattan, MT in the morning offers plenty of time to reach Billings, MT well before evening. With a driving duration of around 2 hours and 45 minutes, you won't need to plan for extensive stops, though a brief pause for fuel or a stretch is always a good idea. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch on I 90 is quite substantial at 156.1 miles. Given the manageable length, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience and still arrive with daylight to spare.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 80.6 miles from Manhattan, MT, or about 1h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 156.1 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 35 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 80.6 miles or 1h 21m 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 12m
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 Manhattan, 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 Manhattan, MT
This is one driving day of about 161.3 miles and 2h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Manhattan, 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 156.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
81 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 80.6 miles from Manhattan, MT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 156.1 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 55 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 159.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.6 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Take the ramp
Navigation decision point
3
0.9 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
I 90
Merge onto I 90
Merge point - match speed before joining
4
157 mi into trip
|
~2h 37m in
|
I 90 Business
Take the exit onto I 90 Business toward I 90 Business: West Billings
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 90 Business: West Billings
5
157.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 38m 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
4
159.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 41m in
|
I 90 Business / Montana Avenue
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90 Business / Montana Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.56 one way
$51.12 round trip
$4.03/gal
25.4 MPG avg
56 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.22 | $26.79 | $53.58 |
| premium | $4.53 | $28.77 | $57.55 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $35.61 | $71.23 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 48.4 | 0 | $16.94 | $7.74 |
| Efficient EV | 40.3 | 0 | $14.11 | $6.45 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 64.5 | 0 | $22.58 | $10.32 |
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Billings, MT
Late night in Billings on Sunday
Local time
1:43 AM
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
35 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
2h 45m 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?
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 98% of the journey taking place on major roadways. You'll spend the vast majority of your time on I 90, experiencing a longest stretch of 156.1 miles uninterrupted on this interstate. The character of the drive is consistent, offering a smooth and direct path for most of the trip. While there are brief transitions to Montana Avenue and I 90 Business as you approach your destination, the overarching feel is one of efficient highway travel.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
9 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 156.1 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and Montana Avenue. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 45m drive. You will face about 5 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles: Navigation decision point; at 0.9 miles (I 90): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 157 miles (I 90 Business): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
About the Cities
Arriving in Billings, MT
Full guide →Billings is the largest city in Montana in Yellowstone County, with an estimated 110,000 people (2019). As a destination, Billings does a significant amount of convention business and is also the host to various regional events such as music festivals, athletic contests, rodeos, and outdoor activities. Billings hosts the largest hospitals in a 500-mile radius, as such the medical profession is a major source of employment in the area. Billings is also a frequent overnight or meal stop for westbound visitors to Yellowstone National Park, as it is the last major city for visitors going to the park via the Beartooth Highway.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 45m. Total distance: 161.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 156.1 miles on I 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles: Navigation decision point; at 0.9 miles (I 90): Merge point - match speed before joining; at 157 miles (I 90 Business): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Billings, MT before heading back.
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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