Montana To California Road Trip: Top 21 Tips

Montana to California road trip is one of the best journeys you can experience in the USA. The 1,307 miles of Montana to California drive takes around 20 hours and 24 mins without stops.

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

7 Best Hotels On The Road Trip From Montana To California

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

1. RSVP Hotel: RSVP Hotel is one of the best hotels where you can stay on a Montana to California road trip. Driving from Montana to RSVP Hotel might take around 3 hours and 10 mins. The owners of RSVP Motel BZN are taking their inspiration from their worldly travels to the next level in Montana. The motel in Midtown Bozeman has been meticulously resurrected from the Rainbow Motel to change how guests stay and play in this mountainous town. Check the RSVP Hotel, one of the best hotels in Bozeman, Montana, on TripAdvisor and Booking.com for recent reviews, prices, and availability.
2. The Adventure Inn Yellowstone: Another top hotel where you can choose the stay on the road trip to California from Montana is The Adventure Inn Yellowstone. Located in West Yellowstone, Montana, the hotel is 267 miles away from Montana, and it would take 4 hours and 49 mins to drive. The Adventure Inn provides luxury accommodations for those seeking an adventure in The Greater Yellowstone Area. They provide an excellent experience for their guests with charming rustic-themed decorations and top-notch amenities. Everything has been thought of to provide the best possible stay. If you want to learn more about the Adventure Inn Yellowstone, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Booking.com.
3. Best Western Pocatello Inn: Didn’t our first two hotel suggestions interest you? So we would like to introduce you to the Best Western Pocatello Inn. Best Western Pocatello Inn is located in Pocatello, Idaho, and it’s 422 miles away from Montana. You can arrive there in 7 hours and 10 mins of non-stop driving. The Best Western Pocatello Inn offers guests an indoor heated pool and a bar. The inn’s guest rooms offer free WiFi, and a breakfast buffet is available for guests during their stay. Check the TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages of Best Western Pocatello Inn for more information.
4. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Twin Falls: If you are taking the road trip from Montana to California, 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, 536 miles from Montana, and it would take 8 hours and 46 mins to drive. The hotel’s excellent location is convenient for all travelers, whether on business, special occasions, or family travel. In addition, the hotel has 101 beautifully appointed guest rooms that offer many of 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. Grand Sierra Resort and Casino: Our next hotel is Grand Sierra Resort and Casino, Reno, Nevada. It will take 15 hours, and 22 mins of car ride o reach this hotel from Montana. The Grand Sierra Resort and Casino is conveniently located in the heart of Reno/Tahoe. The staff is friendly and accommodating, making it the perfect place to stay in Reno. Check the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino on TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages of Grand Sierra Resort and Casino for reviews, prices, and availability.
6. Courtyard by Marriott Sacramento Cal Expo: Another hotel you can accommodate on the road trip from Montana to California is Courtyard by Marriott Sacramento Cal Expo. It’s possible to arrive at this hotel in Sacramento, California, within 17 hours and 22 mins drive from Montana. The Courtyard is clean, up to date, and comfortable with thick towels, a decent TV, good spaciousness, and nice extras like a mini fridge, good coffee, and excellent quality mini toiletries. Before making the reservation, we suggest you read the latest reviews on TripAdvisor and Booking.com.
7. Hilton Stockton: Another hotel that deserves to be on the list is Hilton Stockton. It’s located in Stockton, California, and is 1,161 miles from Montana. You can arrive there within 18 hours and 8 mins of car drive. Look no further than our hotel if you need a place to stay that offers complimentary WiFi, in-room mini-refrigerators, HDTVs, and large work desks. The rooms are clean and fresh and the perfect place to relax after a long day. Plus, you’ll enjoy the peace of the hotel. Our location is ideal if you’re looking for somewhere to take a walk and grab lunch or dinner. If you need further information, you can check the TripAdvisor and Booking.com pages of Hilton Stockton.

In this part, we explained seven different hotels you can stay at on the road trip from Montana to California. 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 take same Montana to California route.

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

7 Best Restaurants On Montana To California Road Trip

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

1. South 9th Bistro: We would like to start our restaurant recommendation list on Montana to California road trip with South 9th Bistro. South 9th Bistro is located in Bozeman, Montana, 180 miles from Montana. It would take 3 hours and 12 mins of driving. South 9th Bistro is a popular Montana eatery that should not be missed. Located in a pumpkin orange Victorian building, the Bistro is easy to find by day and by night. The amber glow of its windows beckons passersby to come in and enjoy a warm and comfortable evening experience. For more information about South 9th Bistro, you can visit the TripAdvisor or Google Maps pages of South 9th Bistro.
2. Wild West Pizzeria & Saloon: Another top restaurant you can choose to eat at on the road trip to California from Montana is Wild West Pizzeria & Saloon. Located in West Yellowstone, Montana, Wild West Pizzeria & Saloon is 267 miles from Montana and would take 4 hours and 48 mins of driving. 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 tremendous small-town sports bar atmosphere. If you want to learn more about Wild West Pizzeria & Saloon, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps.
3. Sandpiper Restaurant, Pocatello: Another restaurant that can be preferred by those who are fond of food is Sandpiper Restaurant, Pocatello. It will take 7 hours and 10 mins of car drive to take 422 miles from Montana to Sandpiper Restaurant, Pocatello, Pocatello, Idaho. The Sandpiper Restaurants are a popular choice for diners who appreciate fine casual dining, thanks to their focus on steaks, seafood, and pasta. You can check Sandpiper Restaurant, Pocatello, for more information, on TripAdvisor or Google Maps.
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, visitors can see Soldier Mountain to the northwest, the Pioneer Range to the north, and Pomerelle to the east. The menu includes a variety of food options, as well as exciting cocktails. Elevation 486 is 537 miles away from Montana, and it would take 8 hours and 48 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. Atlantis Steakhouse, Reno: If you enjoy dining, Atlantis Steakhouse, Reno, would be an excellent choice in Reno, Nevada. It’s 987 miles from Montana and would take 15 hours and 25 mins of car driving. We thoroughly enjoyed our dining experience at Atlantis Steakhouse. We highly recommend the pork belly appetizers – they were delicious! The food was fantastic, and the waitstaff was very attentive and charming. They made us feel truly special throughout our meal. If you want to learn more about Atlantis Steakhouse, Reno, you can check it on TripAdvisor or Google Maps.
6. Tower Cafe: Another restaurant we recommend you visit on the road trip from Montana to California is Tower Cafe, Sacramento, California. It will take 17 hours and 27 mins of driving to reach Tower Cafe from Montana. The menu at this restaurant is excellent, with a wide range of options that reflect the diversity of Sacramento. The dishes were all carefully prepared, and we were delighted with the results. The service was excellent, and the dining room was delightful. The outside area looked great as well. For more information about Tower Cafe, you can check the TripAdvisor or Google Maps pages of the restaurant.
7. Dave Wongs: Ranked seventh on our list, Dave Wongs appeals to those who want to turn their California vacation into a memorable experience. Located in Stockton, California, 1,161 miles away from Montana, and it’ll take 18 hours and 7 mins of driving.
   The menu offers a wide variety of options to choose from. The staff was courteous and allowed us to wait for our table on the patio, avoiding an hour-long wait. The food was mouthwatering and left us wanting more. If you want to learn more about Dave Wongs, 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 Montana to California. We hope these suggestions will help you turn your 1,307 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 California 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 Montana to California. Keep reading.

7 Places To Visit On Montana To California Drive

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

• Downtown Bozeman: Downtown Bozeman will be the first destination we recommend you stop by on your Montana to California road trip. Located in Bozeman, Montana, Downtown Bozeman is 179 miles away from Montana, and it would take 3 hours and 8 mins to drive. The western town of offers various dining, shopping, and entertainment options. Restaurants range from casual to fine dining, and retail shops offer a variety of unique items. The town is also home to several art galleries and sporting goods stores. If you want to learn more about Downtown Bozeman, you can check it on TripAdvisor or the official website.
• Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center: Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center, West Yellowstone, Montana, is one of the destinations we recommend you stop by on the Montana to California route. It’s 267 miles from Montana, and it’ll take about 4 hours and 49 mins of driving. Visitors to the River Otter Exhibit at Yellowstone National Park can get an up-close look at these playful animals while also learning about the complex ecosystem of the park. Bears can be seen foraging for food, playing in ponds, and interacting with each other, while early morning and evening visitors may catch a glimpse of active wolf packs. If you want to learn more about Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center, you can check it on TripAdvisor or their website.
• Swore Farms: One of the stops you should not neglect to stop by when you take the road trip from Montana to California is Pocatello, Idaho. And if you visit Pocatello, Idaho, we suggest you visit Swore Farms. You can arrive at Swore Farms after 7 hours and 10 mins of driving. 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. You can visit TripAdvisor and the official site of Swore Farms 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 Montana to California road trip. Shoshone Falls is 532 miles from Montana, and you can arrive there after the 8 hours and 45 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 and provides plenty of room for visitors to enjoy the scenery. In addition, you should check TripAdvisor and the official website of Shoshone Falls before going there.
• National Automobile Museum: Located in Reno, Nevada, the National Automobile Museum ranks fifth in our list of tourist destinations on the road trip from Montana to California. You must take 15 hours and 23 mins of driving to arrive at the National Automobile Museum. The National Automobile Museum is one of the top Reno attractions. With more than 225 rare, one-of-a-kind, antique, and collector cars, it tells the story of the automobile from the late 1800s onward through authentic street scenes and sounds that bring displays to life. If you want to learn more about National Automobile Museum, you can check it on TripAdvisor or the official website.
• Old Sacramento: Another attraction you can visit on the road trip from Montana to California is Old Sacramento, Sacramento, California. Old Sacramento is 1,119 miles from Montana, and it would take 17 hours and 29 mins to drive. 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. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes where you can enjoy a meal or a drink. For more information about Old Sacramento, you can check their TripAdvisor page or official website.
• Historic Bob Hope Theatre: You can visit many destinations on your Montana to California journey. Historic Bob Hope Theatre is one of these destinations, located in Stockton, California. You can arrive at Historic Bob Hope Theatre after 18 hours and 10 mins of driving. The Bob Hope Theatre, also known as The Fox by some locals, is a beautifully restored entertainment destination and a piece of Stockton’s history. If you have the opportunity to attend an event or movie night at The Fox, you will be impressed by the building’s magnificence. It was restored several years ago to its former glory, so you can experience what movie houses were like in the ’20s and ’30s. If you want to read the reviews of previous visitors about Historic Bob Hope Theatre, you can visit Historic Bob Hope Theatre’s TripAdvisor page or their website.

FAQ of the Road Trip From Montana to California

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

How Long Is The Road Trip From Montana To California?

• With ideal traffic and weather conditions, Montana to California road trip takes approximately 20 hours and 24 minutes to drive. Therefore, the driving distance between Montana to California is 1,307 miles.
• If you want to make Montana to California 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 Montana-California route, you will have to walk for 14 days and 23 hours.

Where Do You Stop On Driving From Montana To California?

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

1. Downtown Bozeman: 179 miles / 3 hours and 8 mins to drive from Montana | 1,130 miles / 17 hours and 19 mins of driving to California.
2. Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center: 267 miles / 4 hours and 49 mins to drive from Montana | 1,041 miles / 15 hours and 40 mins of driving to California.
3. Swore Farms: 417 miles / 7 hours and 10 mins to drive from Montana | 890 miles / 13 hours and 26 mins of driving to California.
4. Shoshone Falls: 532 miles / 8 hours and 45 mins to drive from Montana | 781 miles / 11 hours and 57 mins of driving to California.
5. National Automobile Museum: 985 miles / 15 hours and 23 mins to drive from Montana | 324 miles / 5 hours and 10 mins of driving to California.
6. Old Sacramento: 1,119 miles / 17 hours and 29 mins to drive from Montana | 194 miles / 3 hours and 5 mins of driving to California.
7. Historic Bob Hope Theatre: 1,164 miles / 18 hours and 10 mins to drive from Montana | 149 miles / 2 hours and 25 mins of driving to California.

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

There are many excellent hotels during your road trip from Montana to California. 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 California From Montana section.

• RSVP Hotel: 181 miles / 3 hours and 10 mins to drive from Montana | 1,129 miles / 17 hours and 17 mins of driving to California.
• The Adventure Inn Yellowstone: 267 miles / 4 hours and 49 mins to drive from Montana | 1,040 miles / 15 hours and 38 mins of driving to California.
• Best Western Pocatello Inn: 422 miles / 7 hours and 10 mins to drive from Montana | 887 miles / 13 hours and 20 mins of driving to California.
• La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Twin Falls: 536 miles / 8 hours and 46 mins to drive from Montana | 777 miles / 11 hours and 43 mins of driving to California.
• Grand Sierra Resort and Casino: 984 miles / 15 hours and 22 mins to drive from Montana | 326 miles / 5 hours and 11 mins of driving to California.
• Courtyard by Marriott Sacramento Cal Expo: 1,113 miles / 17 hours and 22 mins to drive from Montana | 194 miles / 3 hours and 4 mins of driving to California.
• Hilton Stockton: 1,161 miles / 18 hours and 8 mins to drive from Montana | 154 miles / 2 hours and 29 mins of driving to California.

Where To Eat Between Montana to California?

If you are thinking of taking a break and having a nice meal on your Montana to California 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 Montana To California.

1. South 9th Bistro: 180 miles / 3 hours and 12 mins to drive from Montana | 1,129 miles / 17 hours and 15 mins of driving to California.
2. Wild West Pizzeria & Saloon: 267 miles / 4 hours and 48 mins to drive from Montana | 1,041 miles / 15 hours and 39 mins of driving to California.
3. Sandpiper Restaurant, Pocatello: 422 miles / 7 hours and 10 mins to drive from Montana | 887 miles / 13 hours and 20 mins of driving to California.
4. Elevation 486: 537 miles / 8 hours and 48 mins to drive from Montana | 777 miles / 11 hours and 43 mins of driving to California.
5. Atlantis Steakhouse, Reno: 987 miles / 15 hours and 25 mins to drive from Montana | 328 miles / 5 hours and 14 mins of driving to California.
6. Tower Cafe: 1,117 miles / 17 hours and 27 mins to drive from Montana | 192 miles / 3 hours and 2 mins of driving to California.
7. Dave Wongs: 1,161 miles / 18 hours and 7 mins to drive from Montana | 154 miles / 2 hours and 28 mins of driving to California.

Conclusion

So, there you have it- a complete guide to planning a road trip from Montana to California. We have listed seven hotels, seven restaurants, and seven places to visit on Montana to California 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 Montana to California as enjoyable as possible.

Share Your Thoughts

Have you ever taken Montana on a California 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 Montana to California and your recommendations about this route by using the comment field below.