State Highway 59

Measuring 195.38 miles in length, Montana State Highway 59 forms a multi state route with Wyoming Highway 59 north from Gillette. The state highway replaced U.S. 312 between U.S. 212 at Broadus and U.S. 10/12 at Miles City. U.S. 312, which overlapped with U.S. 10/I-94 for 115 miles west toward Billings, was eliminated by request the Montana Department of Highways to the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) on June 27, 1979:

The justification for this proposed action is to bring the U.S. route numbering in Montana into conformity with AASHTO adopted policies, as suggested January 31, 1979 by Jack Freidenrich, Chairman of the Route Numbering Committee. Mr. Freidenrich particularly asked a review be made of those U.S. numbered routes, which exist entirely within a State and are under 300 miles in length, to determine if they can be given a State route number and the U.S number eliminated. U.S. Route Number 312 is in this category.

Entering the Glacier State south of Biddle, MT 59 follows the Little Powder River north 29.39 miles to U.S. 212. MT 59 combines with U.S. 212 northwest 7.12 miles through the Powder River County seat, separating near Broadus Airport (BDX). Following what was U.S. 312, MT 59 crosses Fivemile Hill north ahead of Olive and Coalwood 75.81 miles to Business Loop I-94 (Valley Drive) in Miles City.

Business Loop I-94/MT 59 overlap 0.43 miles west along Main Street into Downtown Miles City. Business Loop I-94 is Old U.S. 10/12. Following N 7th Street, MT 59 leaves Miles City across the Yellowstone River, northward ahead of Miles City Airport (MLS). The rural highway extends 82.63 miles northwest to Rock Springs, Cohagen, and MT 200 just outside the Garfield County seat of Jordan.

Completed in 2020, the I-94 Broadus Interchange-Miles City Reconstruction project converted the exchange joining I-94 and MT 59 (Haynes Avenue) into a dumbbell interchange. Construction of a $15 million contract replaced both overpasses for I-94 across Haynes Avenue, built the two roundabouts, and lengthened ramps among other safety and capacity improvements. The original diamond interchange was built in 1961 (Oftedal Construction, 2023).

North

MT 59 enters southern reaches of the Miles City limits north at Horizon Parkway before reentering the municipality at the dumbbell interchange (Exit 138) with I-94/U.S. 12. The city limits sign stands just north of the exchange along Haynes Avenue.

08/07/16

Replaced during the I-94 Broadus Interchange-Miles City Reconstruction project, this confirming marker for MT 59 appeared along Haynes Avenue just north of I-94/U.S. 12 at Boutelle Street.

08/07/16

Haynes Avenue north at the commercialized intersection with Stower Street in Miles City.

08/07/16

2 photos

MT 59 follows Main Street west from Haynes Avenue to the Miles City center.

08/07/16

Main Street west at Strevell Avenue.

08/07/16

Business Loop I-94 angles southwest along Valley Drive to combine with MT 59 (Main Street) northbound at Center Avenue.

08/07/16

West North

Business Loop I-94 follows the former route of U.S. 10/12 across Miles City. MT 59 accompanies the business route west 0.43 miles into Downtown.

08/07/16

Business Loop I-94/MT 59 lower west below the BNSF Railway Main Street Overpass. The steel stringer bridge was built in 1932.

08/07/16

Painted shields on the Main Street Overpass predated the relocation of U.S. 12 onto I-94 and the truncation of U.S. 10 east from Montana in 1986.

08/07/16

South

Center Avenue north ties into the intersection of Main Street and Valley Drive at the east split of Business Loop I-94 and MT 59.

08/07/16

MT 59 continues 0.87 miles east along Main Street from Business Loop I-94 at Valley Drive.

08/07/16

Strevell Avenue intersects MT 59 (Main Street) in the Miles City residential street grid north of Wibaux Park.

08/07/16

MT 59 (Main Street) east ahead of Earling Avenue.

08/07/16

MT 59 at the southern turn from the end of Main Street onto Haynes Avenue.

08/07/16

Haynes Avenue expands into a commercial boulevard south ahead of the traffic light at Stower Street.

08/07/16

MT 59 reassurance marker posted along Haynes Avenue south ahead of Comstock Street.

08/07/16

MT 59 (Haynes Avenue) advances south from Wilson Street to meet Interstate 94 at Exit 138.

08/07/16

MT 59 south at the diamond interchange with Interstate 94 prior to the conversion into a dumbbell interchange.

08/07/16

Unmarked from MT 59, the bypass of Miles City along Interstate 94 is also part of U.S. 12.

08/07/16

Connect with:

Interstate 94

Page Updated Thursday January 22, 2026.