Red Lodge to Ellensburg Road Trip: Scenic Drive through Montana, Idaho, Washington

This 600-mile journey traces the path from Montana's Beartooth Front to the Kittitas Valley, crossing the Continental Divide twice and dipping into Idaho's Panhandle. The route uses I-90, US-212, and US-310, with an estimated drive time of 10 hours without stops. A peculiar local detail: near Garrison, MT, the highway briefly follows the original Mullan Road, a military wagon route from 1860.

For tips on how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities, consider delaying GPS prompts and exploring local visitor centers.

From Red Lodge, the Beartooth Mountains rise abruptly. The drive west on I-90 parallels the Yellowstone River before climbing to Homestake Pass (elev. 6,329 ft). The Rockies give way to the Deer Lodge Valley, a broad agricultural basin.

• Beartooth Highway (US-212) is closed in winter; check conditions before planning off-route detours.
• The Clark Fork River accompanies I-90 from Butte to Missoula, offering fishing access.
• Kittitas Valley in Washington features sagebrush and wind farms, with Mount Rainier visible on clear days.

Local commerce varies: Billings has mall chains, Butte offers historic mining souvenirs, and Missoula has a vibrant farmers market. Ellensburg is known for its western art galleries and the Ellensburg Rodeo (Labor Day weekend).

Fuel availability is consistent along I-90, but gaps exist on US-212 between Red Lodge and I-90. Fill up in Red Lodge (gas price ~$3.50/gal) and again in Billings. The most expensive fuel is near Butte and Missoula (~$3.70).

• Red Lodge to Billings: US-212 east, then I-90 north. 60 mi, 1 hr.
• Billings to Butte: I-90 west. 230 mi, 3.5 hr. Option to detour via Livingston and Bozeman.
• Butte to Missoula: I-90 north. 120 mi, 2 hr. Pass through Deer Lodge and Garrison.
• Missoula to Ellensburg: I-90 west into Washington. 200 mi, 3.5 hr. Note time zone change at Idaho border (MST to PST).

Road quality is excellent on interstates, but US-212 has some rough patches. Construction zones are common in summer between Butte and Missoula. Cell service is spotty near Lookout Pass (MT/ID border) and on US-212.

Safety is high on this route, but wildlife (deer, elk) is a hazard at dawn/dusk, especially near Missoula. Carry an emergency kit for mountain passes. Recommended rest zones:

• Rest area near Big Timber (mm 367) – bathrooms, vending machines.
• Deer Lodge Rest Area (mm 150) – picnic tables, pet area.
• Lookout Pass Rest Area (ID/MT border) – scenic overlook.

Fatigue management: Break at Bozeman (2 hr in) or Butte (4 hr). Consider an overnight in Missoula. Family-friendly stops: Yellowstone River picnic area (Livingston), Missoula's Carousel, Ellensburg's Children's Activity Museum. Pets are welcome at most rest stops and many motels in Ellensburg and Missoula. Petroglyphs near Three Forks (off-route) allow leashed dogs.