Sign in
No account yet?
Create accountDrive Time
10h 1m
Distance
566.5 mi
912 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$90
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Baker, MT
Eclipse Chasers
Missoula, MT
John De Leon
Crossing Montana from Baker to Missoula is a significant undertaking, covering 566.5 miles across the Mountain West. Clocking in at approximately 10 hours and 1 minute of pure drive time, this journey is best approached as a two-day trip to avoid driver fatigue. You will rely primarily on I-90, US 12, and East Broadway Street to complete the transit. Budget roughly $90 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. While it is technically possible to push through in a single day, breaking the trip into two days makes for a much more manageable experience. Expect a consistent interstate pace as you traverse the state from the eastern plains toward the mountainous western region.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
283.3 miles from Baker, MT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 5h 23m into the drive .
This route is defined by a heavy reliance on high-speed travel, with 100% of the journey consisting of highway driving. You will spend a vast majority of your time on I-90, which features a grueling 348.5-mile uninterrupted stretch that requires steady focus. The road’s personality is dominated by the efficiency of the interstate system, keeping you moving quickly across the vast Montana landscape. As you transition from the eastern start point toward Missoula, the road maintains a straightforward, highway-focused character. Prepare for a long-distance drive where the scenery changes as you move through the diverse topography of the Mountain West.
High-altitude sections with notable climbs
Total Climb
4,134 ft
Total Descent
3,547 ft
Highest Point
5,469 ft
~448.5 mi in
Elevation Range
2,897 ft
Notable High Points
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and US 12. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 453 miles in near I 90.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 566.5 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 453 miles (I 90): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 565.5 miles (I 90 Business; US 12): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 565.7 miles (I 90 Bus; US 12 / Van Buren Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90 toward I 90 West: Missoula
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Take the exit onto I 90 Business; US 12 toward US 12 West, I 90 Business
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Enter roundabout onto I 90 Bus; US 12 / Van Buren Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Enter roundabout onto I 90 Bus; US 12 / Van Buren Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
Turn right onto I 90 Bus; US 12 / East Broadway Street
Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 348.5 mi | 5h 42m |
| US 12 | 217 mi | 4h 17m |
| East Broadway Street | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| Van Buren Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| I 90 Business | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| 6th Street West | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| North Higgins Avenue | <0.1 mi | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Baker, MT and Missoula, MT.
Start on 6th Street West
Turn left onto US 12
Take the ramp onto US 12
Merge onto I 90; US 87; US 212
Continue on I 90; US 212
Continue on I 90; US 89; US 191
Continue on I 90; US 191
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
Take the exit onto I 90 Business; US 12
Enter roundabout onto I 90 Bus; US 12
Continue on I 90 Bus; US 12
Enter roundabout onto I 90 Bus; US 12
Continue on I 90 Bus; US 12
Turn right onto I 90 Bus; US 12
Turn right onto North Higgins Avenue
Arrive at destination
Given the 566.5-mile distance, plan your departure early in the morning to maximize daylight hours for the majority of the drive. With two planned stops recommended, pace yourself to ensure you stay alert during the long 348.5-mile interstate stretch. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $90 estimated cost can fluctuate depending on your vehicle's efficiency and local market prices. Since this is a long haul, try to balance your driving time equally over two days to maintain your energy. A helpful tip for this specific route is to treat the transition from the interstate onto US 12 and East Broadway Street as your final segment, so factor in a little extra time for navigating local traffic as you approach Missoula.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 125 miles or 2h 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 283.3 miles or 5h 23m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 283.3 miles or 5h 23m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 9h 4m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Missoula, MT than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Baker, MT so your first major turns are already loaded.
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Baker, MT
Aim for roughly 283 miles and 5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Missoula, MT
Aim for roughly 283 miles and 5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 283.3 mi from Baker, MT · 5h 23m into the drive
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
187 mi into the route
Best for: Coffee, fuel, and an easy first stretch
This is a natural early stop once the first hours of the drive are behind you.
Second major stop
Overnight candidate
374 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in Whitehall, MTNight 1
283 mi · about 5h in
A practical overnight split lands near Livingston, MT after about 283 miles or 5 hours of driving.
Find hotelsA short stop after about 125 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 283.3 miles from Baker, MT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 348.5 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 283 miles or 5 hours on the road.
The final approach into Missoula, MT usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Missoula, MT.
On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Missoula, MT with some flexibility left in the schedule.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$89.77 one way
$179.54 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.23 | $94.36 | $188.73 |
| premium | $4.53 | $101.01 | $202.02 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $125.86 | $251.71 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$90
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$220–$330
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 198.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $59 in charging · 2 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 170 | 2 | $59.48 | $27.19 |
| Efficient EV | 141.6 | 1 | $49.57 | $22.66 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 226.6 | 2 | $79.31 | $36.26 |
Gas CO2
198 kg
EV CO2
66 kg (67% less)
Plan for 2 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Baker on Sunday
Local time
7:44 PM
MDT
Current temp
45°F
Chance Rain Showers
Destination
Evening in Missoula on Sunday
Local time
7:44 PM
MDT
Current temp
39°F
Patchy Fog
Along the Route
30°F
Whitehall, MT
374 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Baker, MT or browse trips ending in Missoula, MT.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MT road trips.
Explore maps for Baker, MT or Missoula, MT on MapSof.net.