How far is Billings, MT from Shelby, MT?
The driving distance from Billings, MT to Shelby, MT is about 304.3 miles (489.7 km), with a travel time of about 05h 31m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 245.4 miles (394.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 03m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 05h 31m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Billings and Shelby.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Billings and Shelby.
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1
Start on Montana Avenue
589 ft · 25 sec · Montana Avenue
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2
Turn left onto North 23rd Street
114 m · 22 sec · North 23rd Street
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3
Turn left onto 1st Avenue North
1518 ft · 1 min · 1st Avenue North
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4
Turn right onto North 27th Street
2.1 mi · 3 min · North 27th Street
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5
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Airport Road
72 m · 3 sec
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6
Exit the roundabout
3.1 mi · 4 min
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7
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
44 m · 2 sec
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8
Exit the roundabout
25.5 mi · 29 min
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9
Continue on Iowa Avenue
2.5 mi · 3 min · Iowa Avenue
-
10
Continue straight
12.4 mi · 14 min
-
11
At the end of the road, turn left
45.1 mi · 51 min
-
12
Turn right
39.2 mi · 43 min
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13
At the end of the road, turn left
64.3 mi · 1 hr 10 min
-
14
Turn slight right
1588 ft · 21 sec
-
15
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route
52 m · 2 sec
-
16
Exit the roundabout
557 ft · 7 sec
-
17
Continue straight
19.3 mi · 21 min
-
18
Turn right onto 57th Street South
1.5 km · 1 min · 57th Street South
-
19
Turn left onto 2nd Avenue North
4.3 mi · 8 min · 2nd Avenue North
-
20
At the end of the road, turn left onto Park Drive North
73 m · 4 sec · Park Drive North
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21
Turn right onto 1st Avenue North
1070 ft · 24 sec · 1st Avenue North
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22
Continue on First Avenue North Bridge
1045 ft · 18 sec · First Avenue North Bridge
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23
Continue on Central Avenue West
1.4 mi · 2 min · Central Avenue West
-
24
Take the exit right
1311 ft · 32 sec
-
25
Merge slight left onto First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
81.2 mi · 1 hr 17 min · First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
-
26
Take the exit slight right toward I 15 BUS, US 2: Shelby, Cut Bank
1483 ft · 36 sec
-
27
Continue on West Roosevelt Highway
1.2 km · 2 min · West Roosevelt Highway
-
28
Continue on 5th Avenue North
138 m · 17 sec · 5th Avenue North
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29
Turn left onto Main Street
1177 ft · 42 sec · Main Street
-
30
Turn right onto Maple Avenue
25 m · 4 sec · Maple Avenue
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31
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Maple Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Billings and Shelby.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
Merge slight left onto First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
81.2 mi · 01h 17m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Sunny leaving Billings and Mostly Sunny near Shelby.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Billings to Shelby?
The road trip is about 304.3 miles (489.7 km) and usually takes 05h 31m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Stanford is a useful midpoint, sitting about 152 miles from Billings and 152.4 miles from Shelby.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 245.4 miles (394.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 58.9 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 5:56 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $41.81 one way or $83.62 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 95.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Billings and Mostly Sunny near Shelby.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Billings and Shelby. Straight-line distance: 245.4 mi (394.94 km).
#1 Billings
The most populous city in Montana.
| Population | 117,445 |
| Coordinates | 45.7832900, -108.5006900 |
| Altitude | 952 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Shelby
City in and the county seat of Toole County, Montana, United States
| Population | 2,995 |
| Coordinates | 48.5052600, -111.8569700 |
| Altitude | 1005 |
| Country | United States |
End: Shelby (-111.85697, 48.50526)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 490 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 08m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 36m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 05m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 04m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 20m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 47m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.89 | $41.81 | $83.62 |
| Mid-grade | $4.23 | $45.44 | $90.88 |
| Premium | $4.55 | $48.86 | $97.71 |
| Diesel | $5.41 | $58.12 | $116.25 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Montana · May 01, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.