Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Missoula, MT to Big Timber, MT
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 17m
Distance
262.4 mi
422 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$41
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 4m
★
6 AM
4h 17m
8 AM
4h 44m
10 AM
4h 27m
12 PM
4h 24m
3 PM
4h 28m
5 PM
4h 42m
8 PM
4h 9m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Missoula, MT
Wikimedia Commons
Big Timber, MT
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Missoula, MT to Big Timber, MT is 262.4 miles and takes about 4h 17m via Jeannette Rankin Memorial Highway and I-15/I-90, with a fuel budget near $46 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Montana, traversing the Mountain West region. Expect a mix of highway cruising and surface road driving as you make your way east. With a recommended one-day drive, you'll have plenty of flexibility to depart when you're ready and still arrive with time to spare.
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
131.2 miles from Missoula, MT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 6m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Jeannette Rankin Memorial Highway | 115.1 mi | 1h 49m |
| I 15 | 110.8 mi | 1h 51m |
| I 90 | 34.1 mi | 31m |
| I 90 Business | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| East Broadway Street | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| Van Buren Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| North Higgins Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| McLeod Street | <0.1 mi | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Jeannette Rankin Memorial Highway
— 115.1 mi, about 1h 49m
Traffic on I-90
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~493 veh/hr typical · worst 665
Quietest
2 AM
~35 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
14.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
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 Missoula, MT and Big Timber, MT.
1
Start on North Higgins Avenue
19 ft
·
7 sec
·
North Higgins Avenue
2
Turn left onto I 90 Bus; US 12 Bus
0.6 mi
·
58 sec
·
East Broadway Street
3
Turn left onto I 90 Bus; US 12
435 ft
·
5 sec
·
Van Buren Street
4
Take the exit onto I 90 Business; US 12
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
I 90 Business; US 12
5
Merge onto I 90; US 12; MT 200
115 mi
·
1 hr 49 min
·
Jeannette Rankin Memorial Highway
6
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.
7
Continue on I 90; US 89; US 191
6.9 mi
·
6 min
·
I 90; US 89; US 191
8
Continue on I 90; US 191
27 mi
·
25 min
·
I 90; US 191
9
Take the exit onto I 90 Business; US 191
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
I 90 Business; US 191
Toward US 191, I 90 Business: Big Timber, Harlowton
10
Turn left onto I 90 Business; US 191
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
I 90 Business; US 191
11
At end of road, turn right onto I 90 Business; US 191
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
I 90 Business; US 191
12
Turn left onto McLeod Street
16 ft
·
0 sec
·
McLeod Street
13
Arrive at destination
McLeod Street
Trip Plan
Given this is a one-day drive covering 262.4 miles, you can comfortably leave Missoula anytime in the morning. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 115.1-mile stretch on the Jeannette Rankin Memorial Highway, as services might be more spread out. The total fuel cost is estimated at around $46. Plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and grab a snack, and you'll likely reach Big Timber with plenty of daylight left.
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 131.2 miles from Missoula, MT, or about 2h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 115.1 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 58 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 131.2 miles or 2h 6m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Big Timber, MT than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Missoula, 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 Missoula, MT
This is one driving day of about 262.4 miles and 4h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Missoula, 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 Jeannette Rankin Memorial Highway for about 115.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
131 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 58 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 131.2 miles from Missoula, MT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Jeannette Rankin Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 115.1 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.
Bearmouth Rest Area, I-90 Eastbound
0 mi from route
Bearmouth Rest Area, I-90 Westbound
0.1 mi from route
Gold Creek Parking Area, I-90 Westbound
0.1 mi from route
Gold Creek Parking Area, I-90 Eastbound
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Town Pump Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Town Pump Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Three Forks Rest Area
0.5 mi from route
Anaconda Rest Area
0.8 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 95 decision points cluster between mile 0.7 and 261.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.7 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
I 90 Business; US 12
Take the exit onto I 90 Business; US 12
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
6
116 mi into trip
|
~1h 51m 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
260.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 13m in
|
I 90 Business; US 191
Take the exit onto I 90 Business; US 191 toward US 191, I 90 Business: Big Timber, Harlowton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 191, I 90 Business: Big Timber, Harlo...
5
261.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 14m in
|
I 90 Business; US 191
Turn left onto I 90 Business; US 191
Navigation decision point
4
261.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 14m in
|
I 90 Business; US 191
At end of road, turn right onto I 90 Business; US 191
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$40.90 one way
$81.80 round trip
$3.96/gal
25.4 MPG avg
92 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.17 | $43.11 | $86.22 |
| premium | $4.47 | $46.22 | $92.44 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $49.55 | $99.09 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 91.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 78.7 | 0 | $27.55 | $12.60 |
| Efficient EV | 65.6 | 0 | $22.96 | $10.50 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 105 | 1 | $36.74 | $16.79 |
Gas CO2
92 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Missoula, MT
Late night in Missoula on Sunday
Local time
12:38 AM
MDT
Current temp
60°F
Mostly Clear
ESE 0 to 3 mph
5% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 12:54AM MDT by NWS Billings MT
Destination
Big Timber, MT
Late night in Big Timber on Sunday
Local time
12:38 AM
MDT
Current temp
61°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
W 7 mph
21% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 12:54AM MDT by NWS Billings 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.
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
1 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
4h 17m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
About 56% of this 262.4-mile drive is on highways. You'll experience a long stretch of 115.1 miles on the Jeannette Rankin Memorial Highway before transitioning to I-15 and I-90. This means you'll have a significant portion of rural cruising on surface roads, interspersed with periods of faster highway travel.
56% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 115.1 mi on Jeannette Rankin Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in near I 90 Business; US 12.
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 4h 17m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles (I 90 Business; US 12): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 116 miles (I 15; I 90): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 260.9 miles (I 90 Business; US 191): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
5,862 ft
3,209 ft
Total Climb
3,389 ft
Total Descent
2,506 ft
Highest Point
5,862 ft
~131.2 mi in
Elevation Range
2,654 ft
Notable High Points
5,862 ft at ~131.2 miles
+443 ft prominence
4,954 ft at ~206.1 miles
+320 ft prominence
About the Cities
Starting in Missoula, MT
Full guide →“The Garden City” · Founded 1866
Missoula is a medium size city in Western Montana with a population of about 73,000 (2020). The hub of five valleys in the northwest region of the state, or Glacier Country, the town boasts the University of Montana, the Rattlesnake Wilderness Area, and a multitude of recreational opportunities, along with an active and colorful downtown.
Top landmarks
- • Fort Missoula
- • Gleim Building — building in Missoula, Montana, US
- • Masonic Lodge — Masonic lodge in Missoula, Montanna
Arriving in Big Timber, MT
Full guide →Big Timber is in south central Montana. About 1,600 people live there.
Top landmarks
- • Carnegie Public Library — historic Carnegie Library in Big Timber, Montana, United States, that is listed...
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 4h 17m. Total distance: 262.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (56%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 115.1 miles on Jeannette Rankin Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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.
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 0.7 miles (I 90 Business; US 12): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 116 miles (I 15; I 90): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 260.9 miles (I 90 Business; US 191): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Big Timber, 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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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