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Highway 78: Absarokee to Red Lodge, Beartooth Front, Montana
Photo: James St. John · CC BY 2.0

Drives Montana Bozeman, Big Sky and Paradise Valley

Highway 78: Absarokee to Red Lodge

MT 78 · Absarokee → Red Lodge

Leisurely30 mi35 min3,000 ft climbHigh point ≈ 5,600 ftOne way
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The drive

Montana Highway 78 runs south from Absarokee across ranch country toward the Beartooth Mountains, ending at the roundabout where it meets US-212 in Red Lodge. The full highway starts at Interstate 90 in Columbus and passes through Roscoe and Absarokee; this drive covers the southern part.

The bends are open and gentle, and the Beartooth Plateau comes into view as you near Red Lodge. US-212 there leads to the Beartooth Highway, which is a separate drive.

Before 1978 this road was Montana Secondary Highway 307.

Along the way

  1. Absarokee
  2. Red Lodge (US-212)
Elevation
3,000 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 5,600 ft
AbsarokeeRed Lodge
Curves
Mostly gentle curves
AbsarokeeRed Lodge
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • The Beartooth Highway beyond Red Lodge closes seasonally, but Highway 78 is not on MDT's list of seasonally closed roads.
  • Check Montana 511 for winter conditions.

Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check Montana 511 (MDT).

Questions about this drive

How long does Highway 78 from Absarokee to Red Lodge take?

Montana Highway 78 from Absarokee to Red Lodge is 30 miles and takes about 35 minutes.

Is Montana Highway 78 open in winter?

Yes. MDT's list of seasonally closed roads does not include Highway 78.

Where does Highway 78 go?

It runs from I-90 at Columbus through Roscoe and Absarokee to US-212 in Red Lodge.

What you get in the app

Turn by turn, on this roadSpoken directions along the exact route. Carve never reroutes you onto a faster one.
Preview it in 3DFly the whole drive over satellite and terrain before you go.
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Live Group TrackingAPEXEveryone on the route, on the map, by name.
Road conditionsAPEXWet or dry, ice, fog and wind along the road before you go.
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More drives near here

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Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

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Map of Highway 78: Absarokee to Red Lodge, from Absarokee to Red Lodge