Red Lodge to Hill City: Ultimate Road Trip Guide

The drive from Red Lodge, Montana to Hill City, South Dakota spans about 400 miles, typically taking 6–8 hours without extended stops. This route transitions from the alpine meadows of the Beartooth Front to the ponderosa pine forests of the Black Hills.

Construction on US-212 began in 1931, but it wasn't until 1936 that the Beartooth Highway fully opened, linking Red Lodge to Yellowstone. Today, the journey crosses the Wyoming border near the Montana–Wyoming state line at milepost 6 on US-310.

I-90 is well-maintained with wide shoulders, while US-212 is a two-lane highway with occasional wildlife (deer and antelope). In winter, Beartooth Pass (elevation 10,947 ft) closes from October to May.

Fatigue can set in on the long I-90 stretch. Plan rest stops at rest areas near Buffalo, WY (mile marker 63) and Spearfish, SD (exit 14).

Family and Pet-Friendly Framework

• Pets allowed at most rest areas, but keep leashed.
• Kid-friendly stops: The Dinosaur Center in Thermopolis (detour) or Mount Rushmore near Hill City.
• Pet-friendly motels in Sheridan and Spearfish.

Hidden Off-Route Spots

Detour 20 miles south of I-90 to the Bighorn Medicine Wheel (a sacred Native American site with 28 spokes). Alternatively, explore the ghost town of Kirwin, Wyoming, accessible via unpaved roads 30 miles east of Red Lodge.

For more tips on how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities, check out how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities.

The Beartooth Mountains give way to rolling plains near Sheridan. As you enter the Black Hills, granite peaks and dense forests dominate. This region contains the oldest mountain range in the US, the Black Hills, which date back 1.8 billion years.

Local commerce includes gemstone shops in Hill City and working ranches near Buffalo, WY. You can find unique souvenirs like petrified wood and Black Hills gold.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

While the route itself hosts no UNESCO sites, a detour to Yellowstone National Park (a UNESCO site) is 2 hours west from Red Lodge. Alternatively, Wind Cave National Park (near Hill City) is a candidate site with its rare boxwork formations.

You'll primarily use US-212, US-310, I-90, and US-16. From Red Lodge, take US-212 east to I-90 at Rockvale. Follow I-90 east to Spearfish, then US-16 south to Hill City.

Fuel stops are plentiful along I-90 but sparse on US-212 between Red Lodge and I-90. Plan to fill up in Rockvale or Sheridan, WY.