Spanning 352.7 miles across the Mountain West, this trip from Orchard Homes to Lockwood is a straightforward journey typically taking 5 hours and 52 minutes. Because the route is designed as a highway-focused drive, it is manageable as a single-day trip if you are comfortable with the duration. You should budget approximately $56 for fuel to cover the distance. Navigating primarily via I-90, the Jeannette Rankin Memorial Highway, and I-15, you will find the path efficient for crossing the state. Since this is an intra-state drive within Montana, you can expect a consistent regional feel throughout your travel. Planning for one stop is recommended to break up the time behind the wheel.
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
176.4 miles from Orchard Homes, MT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 54m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
121.6 mi
2h 2m
Jeannette Rankin Memorial Highway
115.1 mi
1h 49m
I 15
110.8 mi
1h 51m
South 14th Street West
0.8 mi
1m
Mount Avenue
0.7 mi
1m
Brooks Street
0.7 mi
<1m
South Reserve Street
0.5 mi
<1m
South 7th Street West
0.4 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 121.6 mi, about 2h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Orchard Homes, MT and Lockwood, MT.
1
Start on South 7th Street West
0.4 mi·1 min·South 7th Street West
2
Turn right onto South Reserve Street
0.5 mi·57 sec·South Reserve Street
3
Turn left onto Mount Avenue
0.2 mi·18 sec·Mount Avenue
4
Continue on South 14th Street West
0.8 mi·1 min·South 14th Street West
5
Continue on Mount Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·Mount Avenue
6
Turn left onto US 12
0.7 mi·50 sec·Brooks Street
7
Continue on US 12
356 ft·16 sec·South Higgins Avenue
Use the left lane.
8
Turn right onto US 12
0.4 mi·36 sec·South 6th Street East
9
Turn left onto Arthur Avenue
0.2 mi·13 sec·Arthur Avenue
10
Continue on US 12
0.2 mi·15 sec·Madison Street
11
Take the exit onto US 12
0.2 mi·26 sec·US 12
12
Turn left onto I 90 Bus; US 12
435 ft·5 sec·Van Buren Street
13
Take the exit onto I 90 Business; US 12
0.2 mi·29 sec·I 90 Business; US 12
14
Merge onto I 90; US 12; MT 200
115 mi·1 hr 49 min·Jeannette Rankin Memorial Highway
15
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.
16
Continue on I 90; US 89; US 191
6.9 mi·6 min·I 90; US 89; US 191
17
Continue on I 90; US 191
113 mi·1 hr 53 min·I 90; US 191
18
Continue on I 90; US 87; US 212
1.8 mi·2 min·I 90; US 87; US 212
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward Johnson Lane
20
Turn left onto Johnson Lane
0.4 mi·46 sec·Johnson Lane
21
Arrive at destination
Johnson Lane
Trip Plan
For the smoothest experience, plan your departure early in the morning to account for the nearly six-hour drive time while maintaining flexibility in your schedule. Since your route includes a 121.6-mile stretch on I-90, make sure to check your fuel levels before entering these longer segments to avoid unnecessary stress. While the itinerary suggests one stop, consider utilizing that break at the midpoint to stretch your legs and refresh your focus. Keep an eye on your dashboard for the $56 fuel estimate, as actual costs may fluctuate based on your vehicle's efficiency. By keeping your pace steady and utilizing the designated stop, you can navigate the interstate sections safely and arrive in Lockwood without feeling overly fatigued.
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 176.4 miles from Orchard Homes, MT, or about 2h 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 121.6 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 78 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 176.4 miles or 2h 54m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lockwood, MT than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Orchard Homes, 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 Orchard Homes, MT
This is one driving day of about 352.7 miles and 5h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 78 miles from Orchard Homes, 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 121.6 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 0.4 and 119.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.4 mi into trip|~1m in|South Reserve Street
Turn right onto South Reserve Street
Navigation decision point
4
0.9 mi into trip|~2m in|Mount Avenue
Turn left onto Mount Avenue
Navigation decision point
4
3.2 mi into trip|~6m in|US 12 / South 6th Street East
Turn right onto US 12 / South 6th Street East
Navigation decision point
4
3.6 mi into trip|~7m in|Arthur Avenue
Turn left onto Arthur Avenue
Navigation decision point
6
119.7 mi into trip|~1h 58m 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$55.89 one way
$111.78 round trip
$4.03/gal25.4 MPG avg123 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$58.58
$117.17
premium
$4.53
$62.92
$125.83
diesel
$5.61
$77.87
$155.74
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$56
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$81–$106
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 123.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
105.8
1
$37.03
$16.93
Efficient EV
88.2
1
$30.86
$14.11
EV Truck/SUV
141.1
1
$49.38
$22.57
Gas CO2
123 kg
EV CO2
41 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 Apr 12, 2026
Origin
Orchard Homes, MT
Evening
in Orchard Homes on Saturday
Local time
7:29 PM
MDT
Current temp
64°F
Areas Of Fog then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
ESE 2 mph72% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Lockwood, MT
Evening
in Lockwood on Saturday
Local time
7:29 PM
MDT
Current temp
70°F
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SSW 8 mph47% chanceLive 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
6 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
5h 52m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
With 66% of the journey spent on highways, expect a drive that prioritizes speed and directness over winding backroads. The road’s personality is defined by its reliance on major interstates, providing a predictable experience for those looking to reach their destination without technical navigation. You will encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 121.6 miles on I-90, which requires steady focus and endurance. The transition between I-15 and the Jeannette Rankin Memorial Highway keeps the movement consistent, though the scale of the route means you should prepare for long segments of interstate travel. It is a practical, utilitarian drive that favors high-speed transit across the state.
66% 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: 121.6 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and Jeannette Rankin Memorial Highway. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near South Reserve Street.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 5h 52m drive. You will face about 12 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (South Reserve Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.9 miles (Mount Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 3.2 miles (US 12 / South 6th Street East): Navigation decision point.
Elevation Profile
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
6,127 ft3,153 ft
Total Climb
3,022 ft
Total Descent
2,955 ft
Highest Point
6,127 ft
~132.3 mi in
Elevation Range
2,974 ft
Notable High Points
6,127 ft at ~132.3 miles+702 ft prominence
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 52m. Total distance: 352.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
The longest stretch is about 121.6 miles on I 90. 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.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
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 0.4 miles (South Reserve Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.9 miles (Mount Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 3.2 miles (US 12 / South 6th Street East): Navigation decision point.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.9 hours each way, a round trip means 11.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Lockwood, MT before the return drive.
