This 441.4-mile journey from Somers to Billings, Montana, is designed for a single day of driving, taking approximately 7 hours and 44 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-90 and I-15, with a brief section on MT 83, this route is almost entirely highway driving. With an estimated fuel cost of $70, it's an efficient way to traverse the Mountain West region. This drive is best tackled in one go, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. You'll experience a consistent, highway-focused travel experience for the majority of the trip.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
220.7 miles from Somers, MT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
157.2 mi
2h 33m
I 15
110.8 mi
1h 51m
MT 83
91.1 mi
1h 43m
State Highway 141
32.5 mi
35m
MT 200
23.8 mi
25m
US 12
12.9 mi
14m
MT 82
5.7 mi
7m
Montana Avenue
2.2 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 157.2 mi, about 2h 33m
Traffic on I-90
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 24 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~791 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,001
Quietest
2 AM
~46 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
17.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Somers, MT and Billings, MT.
1
Start on Somers Road
1.3 mi·3 min·Somers Road
2
Turn right onto MT 82
5.7 mi·7 min·MT 82
3
Turn right onto MT 35
0.3 mi·36 sec·MT 35
Use the straight lane.
4
Turn left onto MT 83
91 mi·1 hr 43 min·MT 83
Use the left lane.
5
Turn left onto MT 200
24 mi·25 min·MT 200
6
Turn right onto MT 141
32 mi·35 min·State Highway 141
7
Turn sharp right onto US 12
13 mi·14 min·US 12
8
Turn left
0.5 mi·42 sec
9
Continue on this road
0.2 mi·13 sec·this road
10
Take the ramp
0.9 mi·1 min
11
Merge onto I 90
45 mi·42 min·I 90
12
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.
13
Continue on I 90; US 89; US 191
6.9 mi·6 min·I 90; US 89; US 191
14
Continue on I 90; US 191
105 mi·1 hr 44 min·I 90; US 191
15
Take the exit onto I 90 Business
0.4 mi·47 sec·I 90 Business
Toward I 90 Business: West Billings
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90 Business
1.7 mi·2 min·I 90 Business
Toward I 90 Business: City Center
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90 Business
1.3 mi·2 min·Montana Avenue
18
Continue on I 90 Business
0.9 mi·2 min·Montana Avenue
19
Arrive at destination
I 90 Business
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7-hour, 44-minute drive, aim for an early morning departure to maximize daylight and minimize traffic. With only two recommended stops, plan them strategically, perhaps breaking up the 157.2-mile stretch on I-90. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during longer segments, as services can be spaced out. The $70 fuel estimate is a good baseline, but adjust based on current prices. Given the highway-focused nature, consider packing snacks and entertainment to enhance your comfort during the drive.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 220.7 miles from Somers, MT, or about 4h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 157.2 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 97 miles or 1h 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 220.7 miles or 4h in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 41m
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 Somers, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Somers, MT
This is one driving day of about 441.4 miles and 7h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 97 miles from Somers, MT.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 90 for about 157.2 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 7 and 437.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
7 mi into trip|~10m in|MT 35
Turn right onto MT 35
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
7.4 mi into trip|~10m in|MT 83
Turn left onto MT 83
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
154.8 mi into trip|~2h 55m in|US 12
Turn sharp right onto US 12
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
6
214.2 mi into trip|~3h 54m 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
437.5 mi into trip|~7h 37m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$68.80 one way
$137.60 round trip
$3.96/gal25.4 MPG avg154 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.17
$72.52
$145.04
premium
$4.47
$77.75
$155.50
diesel
$4.80
$83.34
$166.69
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$69
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$94–$119
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 154.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $46 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
132.4
1
$46.35
$21.19
Efficient EV
110.4
1
$38.62
$17.66
EV Truck/SUV
176.6
2
$61.80
$28.25
Gas CO2
154 kg
EV CO2
52 kg (66% 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Somers, MT
Evening
in Somers on Saturday
Local time
7:23 PM
MDT
Current temp
64°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Slight Chance Light Rain
NNW 3 mph36% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 16 at 6:47PM MDT until July 16 at 7:45PM MDT by NWS Billings MT
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 6:41PM MDT by NWS Missoula MT
Destination
Billings, MT
Evening
in Billings on Saturday
Local time
7:23 PM
MDT
Current temp
66°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy
NE 3 to 10 mph36% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 16 at 6:47PM MDT until July 16 at 7:45PM MDT by NWS Billings MT
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 6:41PM MDT by NWS Missoula 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
2 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
7h 44m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive, with 99% of the route on major interstates like I-90 and I-15. You'll encounter one uninterrupted stretch of 157.2 miles on I-90, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent speed. While this means efficient travel, it also suggests a more uniform driving experience rather than a winding, scenic backroad adventure. The character of the drive is largely defined by its high percentage of highway miles and the significant longest stretch, emphasizing forward momentum.
99% 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: 157.2 mi on I 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and I 15. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 7 miles in near MT 35.
Driving Effort6/10
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 441.4 miles you will encounter 12 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 7 miles (MT 35): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.4 miles (MT 83): Lane positioning matters here; at 154.8 miles (US 12): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach.
Kalispell is a town in Montana, near Glacier National Park. The name of the town means "flat land above the lake" in Salish, a Native American language. The population is about 23,000 (2016).
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.
Top landmarks
•Masonic Temple — building in Billings, Montana
•United States Post Office and Courthouse–Billings — post office in Billings, United States of America
•Northern Hotel — historic hotel in Billings, Montana, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 44m. Total distance: 441.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 44m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 157.2 miles on I 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 14 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 route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Billings, 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 14 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 7 miles (MT 35): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.4 miles (MT 83): Lane positioning matters here; at 154.8 miles (US 12): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.7 hours each way, a round trip means 15.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Billings, MT before the return drive.
