Trip from Missoula, MT to Baker, MT

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

10h 4m

Distance

566.3 mi

911 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$90

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 28 min

4 AM

9h 55m ★

6 AM

10h 5m

8 AM

10h 23m

10 AM

10h 11m

12 PM

10h 9m

3 PM

10h 12m

5 PM

10h 22m

8 PM

9h 59m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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county seat of Missoula County, Montana, United States

Missoula, MT

Wikimedia Commons

city in and county seat of Fallon County, Montana, United States

Baker, MT

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Missoula, MT to Baker, MT covers 566.3 miles and takes about 10h 4m behind the wheel. It usually feels better as a 2-day road trip than as one long push.

The route leans on I 94, I 90, Jeannette Rankin Memorial Highway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is long-distance drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 140.4 miles on I 94. At current regular gas prices, budget about $89.74 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

283.1 miles from Missoula, MT

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 38m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 94	140.4 mi	2h 25m
I 90	123 mi	2h 3m
Jeannette Rankin Memorial Highway	115.1 mi	1h 49m
I 15	110.8 mi	1h 51m
US 12	76 mi	1h 53m
East Broadway Street	0.6 mi	<1m
I 90 Business	0.2 mi	<1m
Van Buren Street	<0.1 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: I 94 — 140.4 mi, about 2h 25m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Missoula, MT and Baker, MT.

Start on North Higgins Avenue

19 ft · 7 sec · North Higgins Avenue

Turn left onto I 90 Bus; US 12 Bus

0.6 mi · 58 sec · East Broadway Street

Turn left onto I 90 Bus; US 12

435 ft · 5 sec · Van Buren Street

Take the exit onto I 90 Business; US 12

0.2 mi · 29 sec · I 90 Business; US 12

Merge onto I 90; US 12; MT 200

115 mi · 1 hr 49 min · Jeannette Rankin Memorial Highway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 15; I 90

111 mi · 1 hr 51 min · I 15; I 90

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 90; US 89; US 191

6.9 mi · 6 min · I 90; US 89; US 191

Continue on I 90; US 191

113 mi · 1 hr 53 min · I 90; US 191

Continue on I 90; US 87; US 212

3.1 mi · 3 min · I 90; US 87; US 212

Keep slight left at fork onto I 94

140 mi · 2 hr 25 min · I 94

Toward I 94 East: Bismark

Take the exit onto US 12

0.3 mi · 33 sec · US 12

Toward US 12 East: Miles City, Baker

Turn right onto US 12

76 mi · 1 hr 52 min · US 12

Turn right onto 6th Street West

329 ft · 14 sec · 6th Street West

Arrive at destination

6th Street West

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 283.1 miles from Missoula, MT, or about 4h 38m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 140.4 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 125 miles or 2h in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 283.1 miles or 4h 38m 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 283.1 miles or 4h 38m

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 8h 35m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Baker, MT than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Missoula, 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 Missoula, MT

Aim for roughly 283 miles and 5 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into Baker, MT

Aim for roughly 283 miles and 5 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 125 miles from Missoula, 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 94 for about 140.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

road in the City of Westminster, in central London

First major stop

Coffee and fuel

Whitehall, MT

187 mi into the route

Best for: Coffee, fuel, and an easy first stretch

This is a natural early stop once the first hours of the drive are behind you.

Popular next leg

Whitehall, MT to Billings, MT

200.9 mi · 3h 24m

city in and county seat of Yellowstone County, Montana, United States

Second major stop

Overnight candidate

Billings, MT

374 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 Billings, MT

Overnight Options

Night 1

Livingston, MT

283 mi · about 5h in

A practical overnight split lands near Livingston, MT after about 283 miles or 5 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Deer Lodge, MT

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 125 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Livingston, MT

Meal break

The midpoint is around 283.1 miles from Missoula, MT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Overnight split

Hotel stop

For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 283 miles or 5 hours on the road.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

The Old Post

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Missoula, Montana

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $20 to $30

Hours: 8 am–10 pm

+14065404433

Visit website

Zoo Thai

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Missoula, Montana

0.1 mi

The Camino

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Missoula, Montana

0.2 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Roly-Poly Coffee Co.

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Bozeman, Montana

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 202.2

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+14069228080

Visit website

Treeline Coffee Roasters

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Bozeman, Montana

0.4 mi

Clyde Coffee

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Missoula, Montana

0.6 mi

The Old Post

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $20 to $30

Missoula, Montana

Hours: 8 am–10 pm

+14065404433

Visit website

Zoo Thai

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $20 to $30

Missoula, Montana

Hours: 4:30–9 pm

+14065404206

Visit website

The Camino

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $30 to $50

Missoula, Montana

Hours: 3–10 pm

+14063171260

Visit website

The Greek Pastry Shop - #1 GYROS

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Missoula, Montana

Hours: 11 am–8 pm

+14065436843

Ciao Mambo

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30

Missoula, Montana

Hours: 5–8:30 pm

+14065430377

Visit website

Dinosaur Cafe

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Missoula, Montana

Hours: 11 am–9 pm

+14067213808

Brasserie Porte Rouge

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route Inexpensiv

Missoula, Montana

Hours: 11 am–2 pm

+14065410231

Visit website

FINN

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour $20 to $30

Missoula, Montana

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+14065424660

Visit website

Roly-Poly Coffee Co.

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 202.2

Bozeman, Montana

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+14069228080

Visit website

Treeline Coffee Roasters

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 202.2

Bozeman, Montana

Hours: 6:30 am–4 pm

+14062192501

Visit website

Clyde Coffee

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20

Missoula, Montana

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+14065404481

Visit website

Cenex

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 566.3

Baker, Montana

Hours: 4:30 am–10 pm

+14067782519

Visit website

The Coffeehouse at Lawler’s

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10 mile 566.3

Baker, Montana

Hours: 6 am–5 pm

+14067782418

Visit website

Wild Joe*s Coffee Spot

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour $1 to $10 mile 202.2

Bozeman, Montana

Hours: 6:30 am–6 pm

+14065861212

Visit website

Kaffeination Station

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20 mile 80.9

Deer Lodge, Montana

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+14068467603

Cattle Brand Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10 mile 444.9

Forsyth, Montana

Hours: 6:30 am–2:30 pm

+14063519453

Visit website

BreatheEV Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour

Missoula, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18442522083

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Missoula, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour

Missoula, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Farmer's Union Oil Co

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 566.3

Baker, Montana

Hours: 5 am–10 pm

+14067782519

Caras Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour

Missoula, Montana

Hours: 6 am–11 pm

+14065434238

Visit website

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour $1 to $10 mile 485.4

Miles City, Montana

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+14062341008

Good Americano

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10

Missoula, Montana

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+14065292720

Visit website

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.7 mi from route ~9 min detour

Missoula, Montana

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+18002255355

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 9

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 490.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

0 mi into trip | ~0m in | I 90 Bus; US 12 Bus / East Broadway Street

Turn left onto I 90 Bus; US 12 Bus / East Broadway Street

Navigation decision point

0.7 mi into trip | ~1m in | I 90 Business; US 12

Take the exit onto I 90 Business; US 12

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

116 mi into trip | ~1h 51m in | I 15; I 90

Keep slight right at fork onto I 15; I 90

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

349.8 mi into trip | ~5h 45m in | I 94

Keep slight left at fork onto I 94 toward I 94 East: Bismark

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward I 94 East: Bismark

490.2 mi into trip | ~8h 11m in | US 12

Take the exit onto US 12 toward US 12 East: Miles City, Baker

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 12 East: Miles City, Baker

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$89.74 one way

$179.48 round trip

$4.03/gal 25.4 MPG avg 198 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.22	$94.06	$188.13
premium	$4.53	$101.02	$202.04
diesel	$5.61	$125.03	$250.06

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$90

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$220–$330

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 198.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $59 in charging · 2 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	169.9	2	$59.46	$27.18
Efficient EV	141.6	1	$49.55	$22.65
EV Truck/SUV	226.5	2	$79.28	$36.24

Gas CO2

198 kg

EV CO2

66 kg (67% less)

Plan for 2 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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.

Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026

Origin

Missoula, MT

Afternoon in Missoula on Saturday

Local time

12:40 PM

MDT

Current temp

61°F

Mostly Sunny

SW 0 to 3 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Destination

Baker, MT

Afternoon in Baker on Saturday

Local time

12:40 PM

MDT

Current temp

72°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

74°F

Whitehall, MT

187 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.

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

11 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

10h 4m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

At 566.3 miles and 10h 4m of driving, this is a route where fuel stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single turn. The main roads are I 94 and 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 14 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

I 94 is the longest continuous segment at about 140.4 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 94 and I 90. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near I 90 Bus; US 12 Bus / East Broadway Street.

Driving Effort 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 566.3 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (I 90 Bus; US 12 Bus / East Broadway Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.7 miles (I 90 Business; US 12): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 116 miles (I 15; I 90): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Who Is This Route For?

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

10h 4m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Missoula, MT to Baker, MT covers 566.3 miles and takes about 10h 4m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 94, I 90, Jeannette Rankin Memorial Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

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 283 miles on day one.

The midpoint is about 283.1 miles from Missoula, MT. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $89.74 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 from Missoula, MT to Baker, MT does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Return Trip

Baker, MT to Missoula, MT

Plan the drive back the other way.

566.5 mi 10h 1m

Explore more options from Missoula, MT or browse trips ending in Baker, MT.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse MT road trips.

Trip from Missoula, MT to Baker, MT

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Overnight Options

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

The Old Post

Roly-Poly Coffee Co.

The Old Post

Zoo Thai

The Camino

The Greek Pastry Shop - #1 GYROS

Ciao Mambo

Dinosaur Cafe

Brasserie Porte Rouge

FINN

Roly-Poly Coffee Co.

Treeline Coffee Roasters

Clyde Coffee

Cenex

The Coffeehouse at Lawler’s

Wild Joe*s Coffee Spot

Kaffeination Station

Cattle Brand Coffee

BreatheEV Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

ChargePoint Charging Station

Rivian Adventure Network

Tesla Supercharger

Farmer's Union Oil Co

Caras Park

Dragon Hollow Playground

Montana Natural History Center

Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site

Girl Ran Away With the Spoon

Unique Creations

Good Americano

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Missoula, MT

Baker, MT

Same local time

11 degrees warmer at arrival

10h 4m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the trip from Missoula, MT to Baker, MT?

What are the main roads on this route?

Is this a good same-day trip?

Should I split this drive into multiple days?

Where should I stop halfway?

How much does gas cost for this trip?

What is the best time to leave?

How many breaks should I plan?

How hard is the drive from Missoula, MT to Baker, MT?

Where does this route get tricky?

What towns show up on signs driving from Missoula, MT to Baker, MT?

How this page is built

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