How far is Bozeman, MT from Colstrip, MT?

The driving distance from Bozeman, MT to Colstrip, MT is about 267.6 miles (430.7 km), with a travel time of about 04h 48m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 213.2 miles (343.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 36m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
267.64 mi
04h 48m
Flight
213.17 mi
343.07 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Bozeman.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
213.17 mi
Kilometers
343.07 km
Flight Time
00h 25m

Driving Distance

Road route
267.64 mi
Kilometers
430.72 km
Drive Time
04h 48m

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 04h 48m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Colstrip
Sat, Apr 18, 7:58 AM MDT
Return by in Bozeman
Sat, Apr 18, 12:46 PM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Bozeman
2026-04-18T03:09
Arrive Colstrip
Sat, Apr 18, 7:58 AM MDT
Route Timing
04h 48m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:48 AM to 12:48 PM MDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
7:24 AM MDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Bozeman
9:00 PM MDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Billings
MT

The most populous city in Montana.

From Bozeman
133.5 mi
02h 24m
To Colstrip
134.1 mi
02h 24m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
52°F
Saturday

Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
5 to 8 mph SSW
Destination
51°F
Saturday

Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
6 to 10 mph WNW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Bozeman and Colstrip.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Bozeman and Colstrip.

  1. 1

    Start on North Willson Avenue

    40 m · 12 sec · North Willson Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn left onto West Main Street

    1.4 mi · 4 min · West Main Street

  3. 3

    Take the exit right

    1723 ft · 43 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    23.3 mi · 23 min

  5. 5

    Continue straight

    6.9 mi · 6 min

  6. 6

    Continue straight

    113 mi · 1 hr 53 min

  7. 7

    Continue straight

    3.1 mi · 4 min

  8. 8

    Keep slight right to continue on I 90 East: Sheridan

    54 mi · 51 min

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward US 212 East: Little Bighorn Battlefield, Broadus

    2032 ft · 54 sec

  10. 10

    Turn left

    42.1 mi · 50 min

  11. 11

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Cheyenne Avenue

    100 m · 6 sec · Cheyenne Avenue

  12. 12

    Exit the roundabout onto Cheyenne Avenue

    2522 ft · 43 sec · Cheyenne Avenue

  13. 13

    Continue on State Highway 39

    22.2 mi · 33 min · State Highway 39

  14. 14

    Turn right onto Box Elder Avenue

    2176 ft · 2 min · Box Elder Avenue

  15. 15

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Park Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Bozeman and Colstrip.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
15 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
1 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
5.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
West Main Street
148 mi · 55%
I 90 East
54 mi · 20%
State Highway 39
22.2 mi · 8%
Cheyenne Avenue
0.54 mi
Box Elder Avenue
0.41 mi
US 212 East
0.39 mi
Longest Stretch

West Main Street

Continue straight

113 mi · 01h 53m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
04h 48m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
09h 36m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+54.4 mi
213.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Billings
02h 24m from Bozeman
Leave By
7:24 AM MDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Bozeman and Sunny near Colstrip.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Bozeman to Colstrip?

The road trip is about 267.6 miles (430.7 km) and usually takes 04h 48m 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?

Billings is a useful midpoint, sitting about 133.5 miles from Bozeman and 134.1 miles from Colstrip.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 213.2 miles (343.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 54.4 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 7:24 AM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $36.75 one way or $73.50 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 83.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Bozeman and Sunny near Colstrip.

Stop Ideas Near Billings

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Billings, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Billings.

BUS

Billings, MT

2501 1st Avenue North

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Bozeman and Colstrip. Straight-line distance: 213.17 mi (343.07 km).

Bozeman

#1 Bozeman

Town in Gallatin County, Montana, United States

Population50,970
Coordinates45.6796500, -111.0385600
Altitude1468
CountryUnited States
Colstrip

#2 Colstrip

Town focused on coal mining and electricity production

Population2,217
Coordinates45.8841600, -106.6236400
Altitude982
CountryUnited States
Start: Bozeman (-111.03856, 45.67965)
End: Colstrip (-106.62364, 45.88416)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 431 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)08h 55m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 41m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 21m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 27m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 49m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 20m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
9.44 gal
35.75 L · about $36.75
Round trip
$73.50
18.88 gal · 71.5 L
Estimated CO2
83.9 kg one way
Round trip: 167.8 kg / 370 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.89 $36.75 $73.50
Mid-grade $4.23 $39.94 $79.88
Premium $4.55 $42.94 $85.89
Diesel $5.41 $51.09 $102.18

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 · Apr 18, 2026

There is no time difference between Bozeman and Colstrip. The current time is 03:09:43.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.