Sign in
No account yet?
Create accountDrive Time
2h 46m
Distance
172 mi
277 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
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.
Dillon, MT
John De Leon
Missoula, MT
John De Leon
Connecting Dillon to Missoula, this 172-mile journey through the Mountain West is a straightforward transit between two of Montana’s notable hubs. You can expect about 2 hours and 46 minutes of drive time, making this a very manageable one-day trip that rarely requires an overnight stay. Your primary path utilizes I-15 Business and I-90, keeping the route efficient and predictable for those looking to reach their destination without unnecessary detours. Budgeting approximately $27 for fuel should cover your needs for the trip. Since the drive stays entirely within the Mountain West region, the transition between these two points feels cohesive and steady. It is a practical, no-nonsense route ideal for travelers prioritizing speed and reliability over wandering backroads.
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 23m into the drive .
Expect a highly efficient experience on this highway-focused drive, as 99% of your journey takes place on high-speed thoroughfares. You will spend the vast majority of your time on I-90, which features a long, uninterrupted stretch of 112.1 miles that allows for steady cruising. The route begins with a transition through I-15 Business before linking up with the interstate, eventually concluding on East Broadway Street as you enter Missoula. Because the road is dominated by major interstates, you will find consistent pavement quality and wide lanes. Behind the wheel, the character of this trip is defined by its speed and directness, offering a predictable rhythm that contrasts with more technical, winding local roads.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and I 15 Business. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near East Bannack Street.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 2h 46m drive. You will face about 11 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 (East Bannack Street): Navigation decision point; at 171 miles (I 90 Business; US 12): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 171.2 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.
Turn left onto East Bannack Street
Navigation decision point
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 | 112.1 mi | 1h 46m |
| I 15 Business | 57.4 mi | 54m |
| East Broadway Street | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| Black Tail Boulevard | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| East Bannack Street | 0.3 mi | <1m |
| Van Buren Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| I 90 Business | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| I 15 Bus | <0.1 mi | <1m |
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 onto I 15 Bus
Take the ramp onto I 15 Business
Keep slight right at fork onto I 15 Business
Take the exit
Merge 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
With a total duration under three hours, you have plenty of flexibility to depart when it best suits your schedule. Planning for one scheduled stop is a smart way to break up the 172-mile distance, especially during the long 112.1-mile stretch on I-90 where you will want to ensure you stay refreshed. Since the entire route is highway-centric, monitor your fuel levels before merging onto the interstate to avoid unnecessary stops in less convenient areas. Because this is a relatively short trip, you can easily complete it in a single morning or afternoon, leaving you plenty of time to enjoy the remainder of your day once you arrive in Missoula. Keeping an eye on your speed is recommended, as the open stretches of interstate can make it easy to drift above the limit.
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 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 86 miles or 1h 23m 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 15m
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 miles and 2h 46m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 86 mi from Dillon, MT · 1h 23m 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.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 112.1 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
$27.26 one way
$54.51 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.23 | $28.65 | $57.30 |
| premium | $4.53 | $30.67 | $61.34 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $38.21 | $76.42 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 60.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 51.6 | 0 | $18.06 | $8.26 |
| Efficient EV | 43 | 0 | $15.05 | $6.88 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 68.8 | 0 | $24.08 | $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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Evening in Dillon on Sunday
Local time
6:22 PM
MDT
Current temp
33°F
Partly Cloudy
Destination
Evening in Missoula on Sunday
Local time
6:22 PM
MDT
Current temp
39°F
Patchy Fog
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.
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Dillon, MT or browse trips ending in Missoula, MT.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MT road trips.
Explore maps for Dillon, MT or Missoula, MT on MapSof.net.