Origin
Missoula, MT
Afternoon in Missoula on Saturday
Local time
12:55 PM
MDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Missoula, MT to Boulder, MT
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 30m
Distance
143.6 mi
231 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$23
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 21m
★
6 AM
2h 31m
8 AM
2h 51m
10 AM
2h 38m
12 PM
2h 36m
3 PM
2h 39m
5 PM
2h 50m
8 PM
2h 25m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Missoula, MT
Wikimedia Commons
Boulder, MT
John De Leon
Trip Overview
Missoula, MT to Boulder, MT is 143.6 miles and takes about 2h 30m via Jeannette Rankin Memorial Highway, US 12, and First Special Service Force Memorial Highway, with a fuel budget near $23 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within the Mountain West region, offering a single-day adventure with a straightforward path. You'll experience a mixed drive profile, so expect some variety in your journey. With just one recommended stop and a manageable duration, this route is ideal for those seeking an efficient but engaging trip without needing an overnight stay.
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
71.8 miles from Missoula, MT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 10m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Jeannette Rankin Memorial Highway | 67.9 mi | 1h 4m |
| US 12 | 43.8 mi | 50m |
| First Special Service Force Memorial Highway | 27.9 mi | 26m |
| North Last Chance Gulch Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| MT 69 | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| East Broadway Street | 0.6 mi | <1m |
| Cedar Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| West Lyndale Avenue | 0.4 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Jeannette Rankin Memorial Highway
— 67.9 mi, about 1h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Missoula, MT and Boulder, MT.
1
Start on North Higgins Avenue
19 ft
·
7 sec
·
North Higgins Avenue
2
Turn left onto I 90 Bus; US 12 Bus
0.6 mi
·
58 sec
·
East Broadway Street
3
Turn left onto I 90 Bus; US 12
435 ft
·
5 sec
·
Van Buren Street
4
Take the exit onto I 90 Business; US 12
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
I 90 Business; US 12
5
Merge onto I 90; US 12; MT 200
68 mi
·
1 hr 4 min
·
Jeannette Rankin Memorial Highway
6
Take the exit onto US 12
44 mi
·
50 min
·
US 12
Toward US 12 East: Garrison, Helena
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Continue on US 12
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
West Lyndale Avenue
8
Turn left onto I 15 Business
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
North Last Chance Gulch Street
Use the left lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 15 Business
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
North Last Chance Gulch Street
10
Continue on Cedar Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Cedar Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward Butte
Use the right lane.
12
Merge onto I 15; US 287
28 mi
·
26 min
·
First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
Exit 164
Toward MT 69: Boulder
14
Turn left onto MT 69
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
MT 69
15
Turn right onto West Centennial Avenue
367 ft
·
16 sec
·
West Centennial Avenue
16
Arrive at destination
West Centennial Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 2h 30m duration, departing Missoula in the morning allows ample time to reach Boulder with daylight to spare. While only one stop is recommended, consider a brief pause around the halfway point to stretch your legs and check your fuel. The longest stretch of 67.9 miles on Jeannette Rankin Memorial Highway means you can cover significant ground without needing to stop. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $23, and plan your fill-up accordingly before entering any longer, more remote sections.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 71.8 miles from Missoula, MT, or about 1h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 67.9 miles.
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 32 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 71.8 miles or 1h 10m 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 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Boulder, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Missoula, MT
This is one driving day of about 143.6 miles and 2h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Missoula, 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.
The longest stretch is on Jeannette Rankin Memorial Highway for about 67.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
72 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 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 71.8 miles from Missoula, MT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Jeannette Rankin Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 67.9 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 125 decision points cluster between mile 0.7 and 142.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
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
7
68.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 6m in
|
US 12
Take the exit onto US 12 toward US 12 East: Garrison, Helena
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward US 12 East: Garrison, Helena
4
113 mi into trip
|
~1h 58m in
|
I 15 Business / North Last Chance Gulch Street
Turn left onto I 15 Business / North Last Chance Gulch Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
114.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 1m in
Take the ramp toward Butte
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward Butte
5
142.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 28m in
Take the exit toward MT 69: Boulder
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 164
Toward MT 69: Boulder
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.76 one way
$45.51 round trip
$4.03/gal
25.4 MPG avg
50 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.22 | $23.85 | $47.70 |
| premium | $4.53 | $25.62 | $51.23 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $31.71 | $63.41 |
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: 50.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 43.1 | 0 | $15.08 | $6.89 |
| Efficient EV | 35.9 | 0 | $12.57 | $5.74 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 57.4 | 0 | $20.10 | $9.19 |
Gas CO2
50 kg
EV CO2
17 kg (66% 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.
Destination
Boulder, MT
Afternoon in Boulder on Saturday
Local time
12:55 PM
MDT
Current temp
59°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
6 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
2h 30m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This route offers a mixed drive, with about 31% of your journey on highways. You'll encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch of 67.9 miles on Jeannette Rankin Memorial Highway, providing a solid segment of consistent travel. As you progress, the road will transition, incorporating sections of US 12 and the First Special Service Force Memorial Highway. This blend means you won't be stuck on a single type of road for too long, ensuring a dynamic driving experience as you make your way from Missoula to Boulder.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 16 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Jeannette Rankin Memorial Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 67.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in near I 90 Business; US 12.
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 143.6 miles you will encounter 12 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: at 0.7 miles (I 90 Business; US 12): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 68.8 miles (US 12): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 113 miles (I 15 Business / North Last Chance Gulch Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Missoula, MT and Boulder, MT, road signs point toward Helena and Butte.
Helena
68.8 mi in
|
~1h 6m
|
via US 12
Butte
114.4 mi in
|
~2h 1m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 30m. Total distance: 143.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (31%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Missoula, MT to Boulder, MT covers 143.6 miles and takes about 2h 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Jeannette Rankin Memorial Highway, US 12, First Special Service Force Memorial Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 71.8 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 $22.76 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 143.6 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.7 miles (I 90 Business; US 12): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 68.8 miles (US 12): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 113 miles (I 15 Business / North Last Chance Gulch Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Between Missoula, MT and Boulder, MT, road signs point toward Helena and Butte.
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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