Origin
Colstrip, MT
Afternoon in Colstrip on Thursday
Local time
3:03 PM
MDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Colstrip, MT to Missoula, MT
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
8h
Distance
465.9 mi
750 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$74
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 52m
★
6 AM
8h 0m
8 AM
8h 18m
10 AM
8h 6m
12 PM
8h 5m
3 PM
8h 7m
5 PM
8h 17m
8 PM
7h 55m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Colstrip, MT
Alex Moliski
Missoula, MT
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Colstrip, MT to Missoula, MT covers 465.9 miles and takes about 8h behind the wheel. It usually feels better as a 2-day road trip than as one long push.
The route leans on I 90, I 94, MT 39 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 348.5 miles on I 90. At current regular gas prices, budget about $73.83 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
233 miles from Colstrip, MT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 11m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
8h drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (100%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
This is a 8h highway drive covering 465.9 miles, with most of the trip on I 90 and I 94. The longest continuous stretch is about 348.5 miles on I 90.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 90 is the longest continuous segment at about 348.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and I 94. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 352.4 miles in near I 90.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The route itself is not hard, but at 8h, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 10 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 352.4 miles (I 90): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 464.9 miles (I 90 Business; US 12): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 465.1 miles (I 90 Bus; US 12 / Van Buren Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
352.4 mi into trip
|
~6h 11m in
|
I 90
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90 toward I 90 West: Missoula
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 90 West: Missoula
5
464.9 mi into trip
|
~7h 58m in
|
I 90 Business; US 12
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
Toward US 12 West, I 90 Business
5
465.1 mi into trip
|
~7h 59m in
|
I 90 Bus; US 12 / Van Buren Street
Enter roundabout onto I 90 Bus; US 12 / Van Buren Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
465.2 mi into trip
|
~7h 59m in
|
I 90 Bus; US 12 / Van Buren Street
Enter roundabout onto I 90 Bus; US 12 / Van Buren Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
465.3 mi into trip
|
~7h 59m in
|
I 90 Bus; US 12 / East Broadway Street
Turn right onto I 90 Bus; US 12 / East Broadway Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 90 | 348.5 mi | 5h 42m |
| I 94 | 87.2 mi | 1h 31m |
| MT 39 | 28.5 mi | 42m |
| East Broadway Street | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| Box Elder Avenue | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Van Buren Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| I 90 Business | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| Park Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 348.5 mi, about 5h 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Colstrip, MT and Missoula, MT.
1
Start on Park Street
102 ft
·
4 sec
·
Park Street
2
Continue on Box Elder Avenue
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Box Elder Avenue
3
At end of road, turn right onto MT 39
28 mi
·
42 min
·
MT 39
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
5
Merge onto I 94
87 mi
·
1 hr 31 min
·
I 94
6
Merge onto I 90; US 87; US 212
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
I 90; US 87; US 212
7
Continue on I 90; US 212
113 mi
·
1 hr 51 min
·
I 90; US 212
8
Continue on I 90; US 89; US 191
7.0 mi
·
6 min
·
I 90; US 89; US 191
9
Continue on I 90; US 191
113 mi
·
1 hr 54 min
·
I 90; US 191
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
113 mi
·
1 hr 46 min
·
I 90
Toward I 90 West: Missoula
11
Take the exit onto I 90 Business; US 12
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
I 90 Business; US 12
Toward US 12 West, I 90 Business
12
Enter roundabout onto I 90 Bus; US 12
206 ft
·
2 sec
·
Van Buren Street
13
Continue on I 90 Bus; US 12
212 ft
·
3 sec
·
Van Buren Street
14
Enter roundabout onto I 90 Bus; US 12
92 ft
·
1 sec
·
Van Buren Street
15
Continue on I 90 Bus; US 12
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
Van Buren Street
16
Turn right onto I 90 Bus; US 12
0.6 mi
·
55 sec
·
East Broadway Street
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
17
Turn right onto North Higgins Avenue
19 ft
·
0 sec
·
North Higgins Avenue
18
Arrive at destination
North Higgins Avenue
Trip Plan
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.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 233 miles from Colstrip, MT, or about 4h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 348.5 miles.
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 102 miles or 2h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 233 miles or 4h 11m 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 233 miles or 4h 11m
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 7h 2m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Missoula, MT than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Colstrip, 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 Colstrip, MT
Aim for roughly 233 miles and 4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Missoula, MT
Aim for roughly 233 miles and 4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 102 miles from Colstrip, MT.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 90 for about 348.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 233 mi from Colstrip, MT · 4h 11m into the drive
Mid-route town
Overnight candidate
233 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 Bozeman, MTOvernight Options
Night 1
233 mi · about 4h in
A practical overnight split lands near Bozeman, MT after about 233 miles or 4 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 102 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 233 miles from Colstrip, 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 233 miles or 4 hours on the road.
Arriving in Missoula, MT
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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$73.83 one way
$147.66 round trip
$4.03/gal
25.4 MPG avg
163 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.22 | $77.39 | $154.77 |
| premium | $4.53 | $83.11 | $166.22 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $102.86 | $205.73 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$74
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$204–$314
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 163 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $49 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 139.8 | 1 | $48.92 | $22.36 |
| Efficient EV | 116.5 | 1 | $40.77 | $18.64 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 186.4 | 2 | $65.23 | $29.82 |
Gas CO2
163 kg
EV CO2
55 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Missoula, MT
Afternoon in Missoula on Thursday
Local time
3:03 PM
MDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
8 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
8h on the road
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Colstrip, MT to Missoula, MT covers 465.9 miles and takes about 8h without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 90, I 94, MT 39. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Yes. This route is usually more comfortable as a 2-day drive. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 233 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 233 miles from Colstrip, MT. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $73.83 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
The route itself is not hard, but at 8h, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 10 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
The main spots that need attention: at 352.4 miles (I 90): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 464.9 miles (I 90 Business; US 12): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 465.1 miles (I 90 Bus; US 12 / Van Buren Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering.
The route from Colstrip, MT to Missoula, MT does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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