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Create accountDrive Time
3h 7m
Distance
161.7 mi
260 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$26
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Choteau, MT
Alex Moliski
Missoula, MT
John De Leon
The drive from Choteau, MT to Missoula, MT covers 161.7 miles and takes about 3h 7m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on MT 200, United States Route 89, 3rd Lane for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 132.5 miles on MT 200. At current regular gas prices, budget about $25.62 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
80.8 miles from Choteau, MT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 36m into the drive .
This is a 3h 7m highway drive covering 161.7 miles, with most of the trip on MT 200 and United States Route 89. The longest continuous stretch is about 132.5 miles on MT 200.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
348 ft
Total Descent
23 ft
Highest Point
4,144 ft
~40.4 mi in
Elevation Range
348 ft
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MT 200 and United States Route 89. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near US 89 / 1st Street Southwest.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 3h 7m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (US 89 / 1st Street Southwest): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 160.7 miles (I 90 Business; US 12): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 160.9 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.
Enter roundabout onto US 89 / 1st Street Southwest
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
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 |
|---|---|---|
| MT 200 | 132.5 mi | 2h 29m |
| United States Route 89 | 16.8 mi | 18m |
| 3rd Lane | 5.3 mi | 9m |
| 1st Road Southeast | 3.3 mi | 3m |
| Simms Fairfield Road | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| Main Avenue South | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| East Broadway Street | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| Van Buren Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Choteau, MT and Missoula, MT.
Start on US 89
Enter roundabout onto US 89
Continue on US 89
Turn straight onto US 89
Continue on US 89
Continue on US 89
Turn right onto S-565
Continue on Simms Fairfield Road
Turn right onto MT 200
Keep slight right at fork onto MT 200
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
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 80 miles or 1h 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 80.8 miles or 1h 36m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Missoula, MT than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Choteau, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Choteau, MT
This is one driving day of about 161.7 miles and 3h 7m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 80.8 mi from Choteau, MT · 1h 36m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
81 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 80.8 miles from Choteau, MT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before MT 200 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 132.5 miles.
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.
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
$25.62 one way
$51.25 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.23 | $26.94 | $53.87 |
| premium | $4.53 | $28.83 | $57.66 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $35.92 | $71.85 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 48.5 | 0 | $16.98 | $7.76 |
| Efficient EV | 40.4 | 0 | $14.15 | $6.47 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 64.7 | 0 | $22.64 | $10.35 |
Gas CO2
57 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 Choteau on Sunday
Local time
8:45 PM
MDT
Current temp
55°F
Partly Sunny then Chance Light Rain
Destination
Evening in Missoula on Sunday
Local time
8:45 PM
MDT
Current temp
64°F
Patchy Fog then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
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.
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
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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