How far is Columbia Falls, MT from Billings, MT?
The driving distance from Columbia Falls, MT to Billings, MT is about 430.6 miles (693 km), with a travel time of about 07h 23m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 321.5 miles (517.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 14h 47m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 07h 23m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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.
Consolidated city-county in Montana, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Light Rain then Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Columbia Falls and Billings.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Columbia Falls and Billings.
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1
Start on 7th Street West
31 m · 7 sec · 7th Street West
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2
Turn right onto Nucleus Avenue
784 ft · 34 sec · Nucleus Avenue
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3
At the end of the road, turn left onto 9th Street
1603 ft · 49 sec · 9th Street
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4
Continue on US 2
1.3 mi · 2 min · US 2
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5
Turn right
9.7 mi · 12 min
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6
At the end of the road, turn left
11.4 mi · 13 min
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7
Turn left
91.1 mi · 1 hr 44 min
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8
Turn left
23.8 mi · 26 min
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9
Turn right onto State Highway 141
32.5 mi · 35 min · State Highway 141
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10
Turn sharp right
12.9 mi · 14 min
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11
Turn left
2539 ft · 43 sec
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12
Continue straight
802 ft · 14 sec
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13
Take the ramp straight
1.4 km · 2 min
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14
Merge slight left
45 mi · 42 min
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15
Keep slight right
110.8 mi · 1 hr 51 min
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16
Continue straight
6.9 mi · 6 min
-
17
Continue straight
105.3 mi · 1 hr 45 min
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18
Take the exit slight right toward I 90 Business: West Billings
1948 ft · 48 sec
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19
Keep slight left to continue on I 90 Business: City Center
1.7 mi · 3 min
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20
Keep slight left to continue on Montana Avenue
1.3 mi · 2 min · Montana Avenue
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21
Continue on Montana Avenue
1.4 km · 3 min · Montana Avenue
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Montana Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Columbia Falls and Billings.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
State Highway 141
Keep slight right
111 mi · 01h 51m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Chance Light Rain then Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Columbia Falls and Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Billings.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Columbia Falls to Billings?
The road trip is about 430.6 miles (693 km) and usually takes 07h 23m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Butte is a useful midpoint, sitting about 228.2 miles from Columbia Falls and 202.4 miles from Billings.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 321.5 miles (517.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 109.1 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 7:30 AM MDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $59.17 one way or $118.35 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 135.1 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Light Rain then Showers And Thunderstorms around Columbia Falls and Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Billings.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Columbia Falls and Billings. Straight-line distance: 321.5 mi (517.41 km).
#1 Columbia Falls
Town in Montana, United States
| Population | 6,209 |
| Coordinates | 48.3724600, -114.1815200 |
| Altitude | 941 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Billings
The most populous city in Montana.
| Population | 117,445 |
| Coordinates | 45.7832900, -108.5006900 |
| Altitude | 952 |
| Country | United States |
End: Montana Avenue (-108.500696, 45.783296)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 693 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 14h 20m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 10h 45m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 08h 36m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 07h 10m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 06h 09m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 05h 22m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.89 | $59.17 | $118.35 |
| Mid-grade | $4.23 | $64.31 | $128.62 |
| Premium | $4.55 | $69.14 | $138.29 |
| Diesel | $5.41 | $82.26 | $164.52 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.