Livingston to Buffalo: Road Trip Guide on US-90 and I-25

This route along US-90 East and I-25 South crosses the Yellowstone River just east of Livingston and reaches an elevation of 4,660 feet at the Montana-Wyoming border near Banner. The drive covers 225 miles and takes roughly 3 hours and 45 minutes of pure driving time, but you will want to add stops.

One odd local detail: near Greycliff, you drive through a narrow canyon where the GPS often loses signal—download offline maps. For tips on uncovering unexpected gems, see how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.

Safety is high on these roads, but wildlife (deer, pronghorn) is a hazard at dawn and dusk. Use high beams where legal and watch for crossing signs. Rest zones appear every 40 miles: the most modern is the Greybull Rest Area at milepost 54 on I-25.

• Family tip: The Big Timber Rodeo Grounds hosts summer events; the Sheridan WYO Theater has children’s shows.
• Pet-friendly: Most rest stops have open fields; the Bozeman Trail Motel in Buffalo allows pets for a $20 fee.

To avoid fatigue, take a 15-minute break every two hours. The Buffalo Visitor Center (25 N. Main) has coffee and local maps. Culinary highlights: the Mint Bar in Livingston for bison burgers, and the Bozeman Trail Hotel’s breakfast buffet.

• Hidden off-route spot: From Deaver, take WY-114 to the Pryor Mountain Wild Horse Range—free-roaming herds and a 5,000-year-old forest.
• Local commerce: Buffalo’s Main Street has galleries and the Occidental Hotel, where Butch Cassidy once stayed.

From Livingston, take US-90 East for 135 miles to Sheridan, WY. Then switch to I-25 South for 90 miles to Buffalo. The road is mostly two-lane highway west of Hardin, then divided interstate after Sheridan.

• Top fuel stops: Hardin, MT (exit 495) and Sheridan, WY (exit 25).
• Cell coverage: Good except between Columbus and Greycliff (10-mile dead zone).
• Road quality: Excellent pavement on I-25; US-90 has some rough patches near the Montana-Wyoming border.

The drive passes the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness north of the highway, with views of the Beartooth Mountains. In Sheridan, the King’s Saddlery displays one of the finest collections of Western gear.

• Natural highlight: The Yellowstone River valley near Big Timber offers rolling farmland framed by mountains.
• Cultural stop: The Brinton Museum in Big Horn, WY, features ranch history and art.

For a detour, visit the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument (30 miles from Hardin). This UNESCO World Heritage candidate interprets the 1876 battle.

• Admission: $20 per vehicle.
• Allow 1.5 hours for the interpretive center and auto tour.