Origin
Fort Belknap Agency, MT
Evening in Fort Belknap Agency on Sunday
Local time
6:39 PM
MDT
Current temp
32°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fort Belknap Agency, MT to Missoula, MT
Drive Time
5h 44m
Distance
323.4 mi
521 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$51
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 31m
★
6 AM
5h 44m
8 AM
6h 11m
10 AM
5h 53m
12 PM
5h 51m
3 PM
5h 55m
5 PM
6h 9m
8 PM
5h 36m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fort Belknap Agency, MT
Phil Evenden
Missoula, MT
John De Leon
Trip Overview
Spanning 323.4 miles across the Mountain West, this trip from Fort Belknap Agency to Missoula takes approximately 5 hours and 44 minutes of drive time. Because the route is categorized as a turn-heavy local drive, it demands more focus than a simple interstate cruise. You should budget about $44 for fuel, depending on your vehicle's efficiency and current local prices. While the entire journey can be completed in a single day, the winding nature of the path makes it a significant commitment for one sitting. It serves as a practical connection between two distinct points in Montana, offering a localized perspective of the state's geography.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
161.7 miles from Fort Belknap Agency, MT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 52m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a hands-on experience behind the wheel, as this route relies entirely on local roads like 15th Street Northeast, Old Havre Highway, and Smelter Avenue Northeast rather than high-speed interstates. With a 0% highway share, you won’t be locking into cruise control for long stretches; in fact, there are no long uninterrupted highway sections to speak of. The profile is strictly turn-heavy, meaning you will be navigating local transitions frequently throughout the 323.4-mile journey. This is a road for drivers who prefer a more engaged, winding pace over the monotony of a straight-line commute.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
15th Street Northeast is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 5h 44m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Fort Belknap Agency, MT to Missoula, MT is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 15th Street Northeast | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Old Havre Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Smelter Avenue Northeast | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 3rd Street Northwest | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Central Avenue West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| First Special Service Force Memorial Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 12 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Van Buren Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
15th Street Northeast
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Belknap Agency, MT and Missoula, MT.
1
Start on 1st Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
1st Street
2
At the end of the road, turn left
49 mi
·
56 min
3
Turn left
107 mi
·
1 hr 58 min
4
Continue on 15th Street Northeast
299 ft
·
6 sec
·
15th Street Northeast
5
Turn right onto Old Havre Highway
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Old Havre Highway
6
Turn right onto Smelter Avenue Northeast
0.5 mi
·
43 sec
·
Smelter Avenue Northeast
7
Turn straight onto 3rd Street Northwest
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
3rd Street Northwest
8
Turn right onto Central Avenue West
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Central Avenue West
9
Take the exit right
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
10
Merge slight left onto First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
9.4 mi
·
9 min
·
First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
11
Take the exit slight right
148 mi
·
2 hr 47 min
12
Keep slight right
4.5 mi
·
5 min
13
Take the exit slight right toward US 12 West, I 90 Business
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
US 12 West, I 90 Business
14
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Van Buren Street
207 ft
·
3 sec
·
Van Buren Street
15
Exit the roundabout onto Van Buren Street
213 ft
·
3 sec
·
Van Buren Street
16
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Van Buren Street
92 ft
·
1 sec
·
Van Buren Street
17
Exit the roundabout onto Van Buren Street
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
Van Buren Street
18
Turn right onto East Broadway Street
0.6 mi
·
55 sec
·
East Broadway Street
19
Turn right onto North Higgins Avenue
20 ft
·
1 sec
·
North Higgins Avenue
20
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
Since this is a turn-heavy local drive, plan to depart early in the day to ensure you have plenty of daylight to navigate the transitions safely. You will only have one planned stop along the way, so pack your essentials and snacks before you leave to avoid unnecessary detours. Given the duration of nearly six hours on local roads, stay alert for changing speed limits and intersection turns that characterize this route. Budgeting $44 for fuel is a good baseline, but keep an eye on your gauge as local road travel can impact consumption differently than steady highway speeds. Prioritize comfort and mental preparedness to manage the constant steering required between Fort Belknap Agency and Missoula.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 161.7 miles from Fort Belknap Agency, MT, or about 2h 52m into the drive.
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 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 161.7 miles or 2h 52m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 42m
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 Fort Belknap Agency, 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 Fort Belknap Agency, MT
This is one driving day of about 323.4 miles and 5h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Fort Belknap Agency, MT.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 161.7 mi from Fort Belknap Agency, MT · 2h 52m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
162 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 161.7 miles from Fort Belknap Agency, MT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$51.25 one way
$102.49 round trip
$4.03/gal
25.4 MPG avg
113 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.23 | $53.87 | $107.74 |
| premium | $4.53 | $57.66 | $115.33 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $71.85 | $143.70 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$51
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$76–$101
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 113.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 97 | 1 | $33.96 | $15.52 |
| Efficient EV | 80.9 | 0 | $28.30 | $12.94 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 129.4 | 1 | $45.28 | $20.70 |
Gas CO2
113 kg
EV CO2
38 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
Evening in Missoula on Sunday
Local time
6:39 PM
MDT
Current temp
33°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.
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
1 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 44m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Fort Belknap Agency, MT to Missoula, MT covers 323.4 miles and takes about 5h 44m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are 15th Street Northeast, Old Havre Highway, Smelter Avenue Northeast. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 161.7 miles from Fort Belknap Agency, MT. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $51.25 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a straightforward 5h 44m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Fort Belknap Agency, MT to Missoula, MT is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Fort Belknap Agency, MT to Missoula, MT does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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Return Trip
Missoula, MT to Fort Belknap Agency, MTPlan the drive back the other way.
324.2 mi
6h 6m
Continue From Missoula, MT
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