California To Montana Road Trip: The Ultimate Guide

California to Montana road trip is one of the best journeys you can experience in the USA. The 1,306 miles of California to Montana drive takes around 20 hours and 20 mins without stops.

This article includes 21 top tips that turn your California to Montana drive into an unforgettable journey. So if you’re looking for the best hotels, restaurants, and places to visit on the road trip from California to Montana, take your coffee and keep reading!

7 Best Hotels On The Road Trip From California To Montana

On California to Montana road trip, you may want to stay at some points on the way. Here are the top seven hotels on California – Montana route!

1. Hilton Stockton: Hilton Stockton is one of the best hotels where you can stay on a California to Montana road trip. Driving from California to Hilton Stockton might take around 2 hours and 28 mins. Enjoy complimentary WiFi, in-room mini-refrigerators, HDTVs, and large work desks during your stay at our hotel. Our clean and fresh rooms are the perfect place to relax after a long day, and our hotel’s ideal location makes it easy to take a walk and grab lunch or dinner. Plus, you’ll enjoy the peace. Check the Hilton Stockton, one of the best hotels in Stockton, California, on TripAdvisor and Booking.com for recent reviews, prices, and availability.
2. Courtyard by Marriott Sacramento Cal Expo: Another top hotel where you can choose the stay on the road trip to Montana from California is Courtyard by Marriott Sacramento Cal Expo. Located in Sacramento, California, the hotel is 194 miles away from California, and it would take 3 hours to drive. The Courtyard is neatly kept, up to date, and comfortable with plush towels, a quality television, ample space, and nice extras like a mini fridge, rich coffee, and luxurious mini toiletries. If you want to learn more about the Courtyard by Marriott Sacramento Cal Expo, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Booking.com.
3. Grand Sierra Resort and Casino: Didn’t our first two hotel suggestions interest you? So we would like to introduce you to the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino. Grand Sierra Resort and Casino is located in Reno, Nevada, and it’s 325 miles away from California. You can arrive there in 5 hours and 11 mins of non-stop driving. The Grand Sierra Resort and Casino is conveniently located in the heart of Reno/Tahoe. The staff is professional, and every employee, from the Head of Security to the Housekeepers, is a joy to deal with. This makes the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino an excellent place to stay in Reno. Check the TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages of Grand Sierra Resort and Casino for more information.
4. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Twin Falls: If you are taking the road trip from California to Montana, Twin Falls, Idaho, is must have a place you should visit. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Twin Falls is one of the best hotels in town. It is La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Twin Falls, 777 miles from California, and it would take 11 hours and 42 mins to drive. The hotel’s central location is ideal for all travelers on business, special occasions, or family travel. In addition, the hotel has 101 beautifully appointed guest rooms that will provide you with all the comforts of home. If you need more info about the price and availability of La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Twin Falls, check the TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages.
5. Best Western Pocatello Inn: Our next hotel is Best Western Pocatello Inn, Pocatello, Idaho. It will take 13 hours, and 18 mins of car ride o reach this hotel from California. The Best Western Pocatello Inn offers guests an indoor heated pool and a bar. The inn’s guest rooms offer free WiFi, and guests can enjoy a breakfast buffet during their stay. Check the Best Western Pocatello Inn on TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages of Best Western Pocatello Inn for reviews, prices, and availability.
6. The Adventure Inn Yellowstone: Another hotel you can accommodate on the road trip from California to Montana is The Adventure Inn Yellowstone. It’s possible to arrive at this hotel in West Yellowstone, Montana, within 15 hours and 35 mins drive from California. The Adventure Inn offers luxury accommodations for those seeking an adventure in The Greater Yellowstone Area. With charming rustic-themed decorations and top-notch amenities, the inn strived for excellence when planning these accommodations, with everything thought of. Before making the reservation, we suggest you read the latest reviews on TripAdvisor and Booking.com.
7. RSVP Hotel: Another hotel that deserves to be on the list is the RSVP Hotel. It’s located in Bozeman, Montana, and is 1,128 miles from California. You can arrive there within 17 hours and 14 mins of car drive. The owners of RSVP Motel BZN are inspired by their worldly travels to change how guests stay and play in this mountainous town. The motel in Midtown Bozeman has been meticulously resurrected from the Rainbow Motel. If you need further information, you can check the TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages of RSVP Hotel.

In this part, we explained seven different hotels you can stay at on the road trip from California to Montana. You can pick one of them that suits your taste. Don’t forget to share your experience by writing a comment to this post. It will help people who will takesomee California to Montana route.

Now, it’s time to discover the best restaurants from California to Montana. We have seven restaurant recommendations worth your attention.

7 Best Restaurants On California To Montana Road Trip

If dining is a pleasure, some restaurants will please you on your California to Montana road trip. In this section, we list the seven different restaurants to dine at on the road trip from California to Montana. Stay hungry and enjoy!

1. Dave Wongs: We would like to start our restaurant recommendation list on California to Montana road trip with Dave Wongs. Dave Wongs is located in Stockton, California, 153 miles from California. It would take 2 hours and 29 mins of driving. The menu offers a variety of options to choose from. The staff was courteous and allowed us to wait for our table on the patio, which avoided an hour-long wait. The food was savory and left us wanting more. For more information about Dave Wongs, you can visit the TripAdvisor or Google Maps pages of Dave Wongs.
2. Tower Cafe: Another top restaurant you can choose to eat at on the road trip to Montana from California is Tower Cafe. Located in Sacramento, California, Tower Cafe is 192 miles from California and would take 3 hours of driving. This restaurant’s menu is excellent and very diverse, reflecting the diversity of Sacramento. The care put into the preparation of all the items satisfies our hunger. The service was excellent, and the dining room was delightful. The outside area looked great, too. If you want to learn about Tower Cafe, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps.
3. Atlantis Steakhouse, Reno: Another restaurant that can be preferred by those who are fond of food is Atlantis Steakhouse, Reno. It will take 5 hours and 14 mins of car drive to take 327 miles from California to Atlantis Steakhouse, Reno, Reno, Nevada. We had a great time at Atlantis Steakhouse. The pork belly appetizers were excellent. The food was terrific, and the waitstaff was very attentive and charming. They made you feel special. You can check Atlantis Steakhouse, Reno, on TripAdvisor or Google Maps for more information.
4. Elevation 486: Elevation 486 deserves to be on our list. It is one of the most recommended restaurants in Twin Falls, Idaho. On a clear day, you can see Soldier Mountain to the northwest, the Pioneer Range to the north, and Pomerelle to the east while enjoying a variety of menu options and exciting cocktails. Elevation 486 is 777 miles away from California, and it would take 11 hours and 41 mins of non-stop car driving. If you want to learn more about Elevation 486, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps.
5. Sandpiper Restaurant, Pocatello: If you enjoy dining, Sandpiper Restaurant, Pocatello, would be an excellent choice in Pocatello, Idaho. It’s 887 miles from California and would take 13 hours and 18 mins of car driving. The Sandpiper Restaurants specialize in steaks, seafood, and pasta and are popular among diners who appreciate fine casual dining. If you want to learn more about the Sandpiper Restaurant, Pocatello, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps.
6. Wild West Pizzeria & Saloon: Another restaurant we recommend you visit on the road trip from California to Montana is Wild West Pizzeria & Saloon, West Yellowstone, Montana. It will take 15 hours and 36 mins of driving to reach Wild West Pizzeria & Saloon from California. In 1999, Wild West Pizzeria & Saloon made the best pizza in town. It started as a pizza place inside Strozzi’s Bar. Nearly two decades later, it has grown into the Bar and Restaurant it is today, with 120 seats and a great, small-town sports bar atmosphere. For more information about Wild West Pizzeria & Saloon, you can check TripAdvisor or Google Maps pages of the restaurant.
7. South 9th Bistro: Ranked seventh on our list, South 9th Bistro appeals to those who want to turn their Montana vacation into a memorable experience. Located in Bozeman, Montana, 1,128 miles from California, it’ll take 17 hours and 11 mins of driving. South 9th Bistro is a Montana highlight that should not be missed. By day, it is easy to find by its pumpkin orange Victorian facade, and by night, by the amber glow of its windows. However, the warmth and comfort of the space make it an evening experience not to be missed. If you want to learn more about South 9th Bistro, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps.

This section lists our seven restaurant recommendations for you to eat on your road trip from California to Montana. We hope these suggestions will help you turn your 1,306 miles journey into a feast of taste. Of course, you can choose a suitable restaurant from the list according to your preference. Remember, like you, people planning a Montana road trip need your opinion. Therefore, we kindly ask you to share your experience with us in the comment field at the end of the blog post.

In the next section, we list the destinations worth seeing along the route from California to Montana. Keep reading.

7 Places To Visit On California To Montana Drive

A unique experience awaits you in Montana. However, there are also some unique destinations, like Stockton, California, on your road trip. We want to explain the top seven destinations we recommend on the Montana route.

• Historic Bob Hope Theatre: Historic Bob Hope Theatre will be the first destination we recommend you stop on your California to Montana road trip. Located in Stockton, California, Historic Bob Hope Theatre is 149 miles away from California, and it would take 2 hours and 25 mins to drive. The Bob Hope Theatre, known to some locals as The Fox, is an exciting entertainment destination and a beautifully restored piece of Stockton’s history. If you get the chance to attend an event or movie night at the theatre, you will be impressed with its magnificence. It was restored several years ago to its former glory, so you can see what movie houses were like in the ’20s and ’30s. If you want to learn more about the Historic Bob Hope Theatre, you can check it on TripAdvisor or the official website.
• Old Sacramento: Old Sacramento, Sacramento, California, is one of the destinations we recommend you stop by on California to Montana route. It’s 194 miles from California and will take about 3 hours of driving. The Sacramento waterfront is a historic area with restored buildings, museums, and novelty shops. It’s a great place to relax and enjoy the view of the river. In addition, there are plenty of restaurants and cafes where you can enjoy a meal or a drink. If you want to learn more about Old Sacramento, you can check it on TripAdvisor or their website.
• National Automobile Museum: Reno, Nevada is one of the stops you should not neglect to stop by when you take the road trip from California to Montana. And if you visit Reno, Nevada, we suggest you visit National Automobile Museum. You can arrive National Automobile Museum after 5 hours and 10 mins of driving. The National Automobile Museum is one of the top Reno attractions. It has more than 225 rare, one-of-a-kind, antique, and collector cars. The displays tell the story of the automobile from the late 1800s onward through authentic street scenes and sounds. You can visit TripAdvisor and the official site of the National Automobile Museum for more information.
• Shoshone Falls: Do you also like to travel and experience new things? Then, it would be best to visit Shoshone Falls, Twin Falls, and Idaho on California to Montana road trip. Shoshone Falls is 781 miles from California, and you can arrive there after the 11 hours and 53 mins of drive. There are many viewing platforms along the canyon and a trail. Although the road to the falls is narrow, with several sharp turns, the park by the river is spacious. In addition, you should check TripAdvisor and the official website of Shoshone Falls before going there.
• Swore Farms: Located in Pocatello, Idaho, Swore Farms ranks fifth in our list of tourist destinations on the road trip from California to Montana. You must take 13 hours and 23 mins of driving to arrive at Swore Farms. The farm’s mission is to enrich the community through healthy, delicious, fresh produce grown on-site; educational summer programs for children and youth; and quality family fun in the late summer and fall months, including the corn maze and pumpkin patch. If you want to learn more about Swore Farms, you can check it on TripAdvisor or the official website.
• Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center: Another attraction you can visit on the road trip from California to Montana is the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center, West Yellowstone, Montana. Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center is 1,040 miles from California, and it would take 15 hours and 37 mins to drive. The River Otter Exhibit is the perfect place to learn about the intricacies of the Yellowstone ecosystem while getting up close and personal with otters. You can also watch bears forage for food, play in their ponds, and interact with each other. Early morning and evening visitors may be lucky enough to witness active wolf packs howling. You can check their TripAdvisor page or official website for more information about Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center.
• Downtown Bozeman: You can visit many destinations on your California to Montana journey. One of these destinations is Downtown Bozeman, located in Bozeman, Montana. You can arrive at Downtown Bozeman after 17 hours and 15 mins of driving. The western town offers a variety of casual and fine dining restaurants, art galleries, unique retail shops, and sporting goods stores. If you want to read the reviews of previous visitors about Downtown Bozeman, you can visit Downtown Bozeman’s TripAdvisor page or their website.

FAQ of the Road Trip From California to Montana

Here we are answering the frequently asked questions about California to Montana drive.

How Long Is The Road Trip From California To Montana?

• With ideal traffic and weather conditions, California to Montana road trip takes approximately 20 hours and 20 minutes to drive. Therefore, the driving distance between California to Montana is 1,306 miles.
• If you want to make California to Montana road trip by bike, the time you spend on the road will be four days and 2 hours.
• If you are crazy enough and plan to walk the California-Montana route, you will have to walk for 15 days.

Where Do You Stop On Driving From California To Montana?

There are many beautiful pit stops along the way to Montana. You can visit Stockton, California; Sacramento, California; Reno, Nevada; Twin Falls, Idaho; Pocatello, Idaho; West Yellowstone, Montana; Bozeman, Montana; on the road. Here we list seven places to visit for you. For more information about the best places on California to Montana journey, you can check the 7 Best Places To Visit On The Way From California To Montana part.

1. Historic Bob Hope Theatre: 149 miles / 2 hours and 25 mins to drive from California | 1,163 miles / 18 hours of driving to Montana.
2. Old Sacramento: 194 miles / 3 hours to drive from California | 1,119 miles / 17 hours and 25 mins of driving to Montana.
3. National Automobile Museum: 323 miles / 5 hours and 10 mins to drive from California | 985 miles / 15 hours and 18 mins of driving to Montana.
4. Shoshone Falls: 781 miles / 11 hours and 53 mins to drive from California | 532 miles / 8 hours and 45 mins of driving to Montana.
5. Swore Farms: 889 miles / 13 hours and 23 mins to drive from California | 417 miles / 7 hours of driving to Montana.
6. Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center: 1,040 miles / 15 hours and 37 mins to drive from California | 267 miles / 4 hours and 48 mins of driving to Montana.
7. Downtown Bozeman: 1,129 miles / 17 hours and 15 mins to drive from California | 179 miles / 3 hours of driving to Montana.

Where Should You Stay On The Road Trip From California To Montana?

There are many excellent hotels during your road trip from California to Montana. We have selected seven hotels for you. These hotels are listed below. Remember, you can find detailed information about these hotels in the 7 Best Hotels On The Way To Montana From California section.

• Hilton Stockton: 154 miles / 2 hours and 28 mins to drive from California | 1,162 miles / 18 hours of driving to Montana.
• Courtyard by Marriott Sacramento Cal Expo: 194 miles / 3 hours to drive from California | 1,112 miles / 17 hours and 18 mins of driving to Montana.
• Grand Sierra Resort and Casino: 325 miles / 5 hours and 11 mins to drive from California | 984 miles / 15 hours and 17 mins of driving to Montana.
• La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Twin Falls: 777 miles / 11 hours and 42 mins to drive from California | 535 miles / 8 hours and 44 mins of driving to Montana.
• Best Western Pocatello Inn: 887 miles / 13 hours and 18 mins to drive from California | 422 miles / 7 hours of driving to Montana.
• The Adventure Inn Yellowstone: 1,040 miles / 15 hours and 35 mins to drive from California | 267 miles / 4 hours and 48 mins of driving to Montana.
• RSVP Hotel: 1,128 miles / 17 hours and 14 mins to drive from California | 181 miles / 3 hours of driving to Montana.

Where To Eat Between California to Montana?

If you are thinking of taking a break and having a nice meal on your California to Montana drive, you can consider the seven restaurants we have chosen. In addition, you can read detailed information about the restaurants in the section titled 7 Best Restaurants On The Way From California To Montana.

1. Dave Wongs: 153 miles / 2 hours and 29 mins to drive from California | 1,162 miles / 18 hours of driving to Montana.
2. Tower Cafe: 192 miles / 3 hours to drive from California | 1,117 miles / 17 hours and 23 mins of driving to Montana.
3. Atlantis Steakhouse, Reno: 327 miles / 5 hours and 14 mins to drive from California | 987 miles / 15 hours and 20 mins of driving to Montana.
4. Elevation 486: 777 miles / 11 hours and 41 mins to drive from California | 536 miles / 8 hours and 46 mins of driving to Montana.
5. Sandpiper Restaurant, Pocatello: 887 miles / 13 hours and 18 mins to drive from California | 422 miles / 7 hours of driving to Montana.
6. Wild West Pizzeria & Saloon: 1,040 miles / 15 hours and 36 mins to drive from California | 267 miles / 4 hours and 47 mins of driving to Montana.
7. South 9th Bistro: 1,128 miles / 17 hours and 11 mins to drive from California | 180 miles / 3 hours and 11 mins of driving to Montana.

Conclusion

So, there you have it- a complete guide to planning a road trip from California to Montana. We have listed seven hotels, seven restaurants, and seven places to visit on California to Montana drive. We have also given you detailed information about each place so that you can make an informed choice about where to stay, eat, and what to see. We hope this guide has helped make your road trip from California to Montana as enjoyable as possible.

Share Your Thoughts

Have you ever taken California to Montana road trip? So, it would be perfect if you shared your experience with other travelers who want the same experience. You can share your thoughts about the road trip from California to Montana and your recommendations about this route by using the comment field below.