Drive Time
2h 37m
Distance
172.1 mi
277 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
The drive from Dillon, MT to Missoula, MT covers 172.1 miles and takes about 2h 37m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on East Bannack Street, Black Tail Boulevard, I 90 West for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $23.38 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
86 miles from Dillon, MT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 18m into the drive .
Expect a 2h 37m drive with frequent turns across 172.1 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East Bannack Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Black Tail Boulevard | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 90 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 12 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Van Buren Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East Broadway Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North Higgins Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Dillon, MT and Missoula, MT.
Start on South Idaho Street
Turn left onto East Bannack Street
Continue on Black Tail Boulevard
Turn left
Take the ramp straight
Keep slight right
Take the exit slight left toward I 90 West: Missoula
Merge slight left onto I 90 West: Missoula
Take the exit slight right toward US 12 West, I 90 Business
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Van Buren Street
Exit the roundabout onto Van Buren Street
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Van Buren Street
Exit the roundabout onto Van Buren Street
Turn right onto East Broadway Street
Turn right onto North Higgins Avenue
Arrive at your destination
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
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 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 86 miles or 1h 18m 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 9m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Missoula, MT than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Dillon, 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 Dillon, MT
This is one driving day of about 172.1 miles and 2h 37m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 86 mi from Dillon, MT · 1h 18m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
86 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 86 miles from Dillon, MT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$23.38 one way
$46.75 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.85 | $26.09 | $52.17 |
| premium | $4.15 | $28.12 | $56.24 |
| diesel | $3.75 | $25.41 | $50.82 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$23
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.2 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 51.6 | 0 | $18.07 | $8.26 |
| Efficient EV | 43 | 0 | $15.06 | $6.88 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 68.8 | 0 | $24.09 | $11.01 |
Gas CO2
60 kg
EV CO2
20 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Dillon on Saturday
Local time
8:58 AM
MDT
Current temp
33°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Missoula on Saturday
Local time
8:58 AM
MDT
Current temp
33°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
30°F
Deer Lodge, MT
86 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.
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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