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Major city · United States

LaurelLaurel, Montana

Skip as a base unless you have a reason: one half-day for Main Street and Riverside Park, or sleep here as a cheaper Billings stop on I-90.

Weather
see forecast
Currency
USD
Best months
May–Sep for the park, Rock the Block and the 4th of July; Jun–Sep for warm, dry days
avoid Dec–Feb (cold, icy roads); late Jul–Aug wildfire-smoke days
Airport
BIL
Nights
1
Not field-verifiedbasic guide
Print / PDF guide
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
  • North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
  • North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
  • North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
  • United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
  • United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
  • United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
  • United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.

Laurel is a railroad and refinery town of about 7,200 people on the Yellowstone River, 20 minutes west of Billings on I-90. It has one walkable Main Street, a riverside park with camping, a bowling alley and a handful of diners and bars. Almost everything a visitor wants — the airport, museums, big-box shopping, more restaurants — is in Billings. Come for a half-day, a cheap bed, or the 4th of July parade, not for a multi-day stay.

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Laurel, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • CoffeeCoffee and a diner breakfast$10–18
  • BeerDraught beer in a bar$5–8
  • SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week$10–25
  • Museum or sight ticketBowling at Palace Bar & Lanescheck
  • Budget bedRiverside Park campsite, a night, per roomUS$20
  • Mid-range bedMotel or chain-hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$140
  • High-end bedMotel or chain-hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$230

A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$70 · Mid US$140 · High US$260

Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Railroad and refinery historyMain Street bars and dinersRiverside Park on the Yellowstone River4th of July parade and fireworks
Airports
BIL Billings Logan International Airport (About 20–25 min by car east on I-90; the practical gateway for Laurel. No commercial flights at Laurel Municipal Airport.)

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Laurel: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

2°C

−10°C

6 rd

Feb

4°C

−8°C

6 rd

Mar

10°C

−3°C

8 rd

Apr

15°C

1°C

9 rd

May

21°C

6°C

11 rd

Jun

26°C

11°C

10 rd

Jul

31°C

14°C

7 rd

Aug

31°C

13°C

6 rd

Sep

24°C

8°C

7 rd

Oct

16°C

2°C

7 rd

Nov

8°C

−4°C

6 rd

Dec

3°C

−9°C

6 rd

High / low °C · rd = rain days

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

A car is the practical option: the town is spread along I-90 and US-212 and there is no taxi service. Main Street itself is walkable in 10–15 minutes, and biking works in good weather. Billings is about 20–25 min east on I-90; there is no useful local bus.

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time
Billingsgo

Door to door: About 30 min

I-90 east, about 20–25 min by car

Museums, the airport, big-box stores and most of the region's restaurants.

Red Lodge and the Beartooth Highway

go

Door to door: 1–1.5 h

US-212 south, about 1 h to Red Lodge; the pass is seasonal

Mountain town and a scenic drive; check the pass is open before setting out.

Miles City

overnight

Door to door: About 3 h

I-90 east then US-212/US-94, roughly 3 h by car

Too far for a comfortable return day.

Crow Agency and Little Bighorn Battlefield

go

Door to door: 1.5 h

I-90 east and south, about 1 h 15 min by car

Best paired with a Billings base; go early in summer heat.

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Main Street / downtown

Walk to bars, diners and shops; the Locomotive Inn and small motels sit here.

I-90 interchange (SE 4th St)

Chain hotels with parking, easiest for a one-night drive-through stop.

Riverside Park area, US-212 south

Camping and river access; you need a car for everything else.

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
$60–100 excl. bed
Mid
$110–180 excl. bed
High
$200+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Motel or chain-hotel double room1 × 1 night × US$140US$140
Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$140US$280
Rental car, one day1 × US$70US$70
Fuel, Billings round trip1 × US$8 · checkUS$8
eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15US$30
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurgeUS$53
Trip total≈ US$291 per person per day, bed includedUS$581

2026 estimate in US dollars; sales tax added at checkout. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

Coffee and a diner breakfast$10–18
Burger or steak plate$14–30
Draught beer in a bar$5–8
Bowling at Palace Bar & Lanescheck
Chain-hotel double room, summer$110–230
eSIM or data SIM, about a week$10–25

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

A small, quiet town and generally safe for visitors. The real risks are winter driving on I-90 and US-212, summer wildfire smoke, and long empty stretches between towns — carry water and keep the tank above half.
  • No taxi service in town; without a car you are stuck — check any ride options before booking.
  • Winter brings ice, snow and occasional highway closures on I-90 and US-212.
  • Summer wildfire smoke can cut visibility and air quality for days; check the air-quality index before planning outdoor time.
  • Refinery and rail-yard areas are working industrial land: stay on public roads and trails.

Emergency numbers

Police, fire, ambulance
911
Poison control (US)
1-800-222-1222

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

LaurelLaurel, Montana

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

To this address, pleaseTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police, fire, ambulance911
  • Poison control (US)1-800-222-1222

Embassy

No embassies in Laurel; consulates and national offices are in Denver, Seattle or Washington, DC. Check your country's list.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Drive Laurel → Billings (I-90): about 20–25 min, roughly 20 km
  • Drive Laurel → Red Lodge (US-212): about 1 h
  • Rental car, one day: $45–110 plus fuel (check)

Say or show

  • Where is the nearest gas station? — Where is the nearest gas station?
  • Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
  • Is the pass open today? — Is the pass open today?
  • A table for two, please — A table for two, please
  • Where is the restroom? — Where is the restroom?

Tipping is expected: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink, 15–20% taxis.

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Laurel. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: May–Sep for the park, Rock the Block and the 4th of July; Jun–Sep for warm, dry days · avoid Dec–Feb (cold, icy roads); late Jul–Aug wildfire-smoke days · month by month →
  2. 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 4 day-trips, door to door
  6. 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Airport-to-bed contract for BIL: drive times, last sensible arrival, and a Laurel-versus-Billings bed comparison.
  2. Walking cluster on Main Street with verified hours for the diners, bars and shops.
  3. Riverside Park page with camping rules, river-safety notes and seasonal status.
  4. Event fixtures for Rock the Block Fridays and the 4th of July so the calendar can go green.

Meanwhile

Back to United States

Sources