Origin
Missoula, MT
Afternoon in Missoula on Friday
Local time
1:51 PM
MDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Missoula, MT to Kalispell, MT
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 30m
Distance
120.9 mi
195 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
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
Kalispell, MT
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Missoula to Kalispell is 120.9 miles and takes about 2h 30m via US 93, with a fuel budget near $19 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Montana's Mountain West region, offering a straightforward journey. Expect a highway-focused drive that's perfect for a single-day excursion. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, this route is ideal if you're looking for efficiency without sacrificing too much time.
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
60.5 miles from Missoula, MT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 14m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 30m. Total distance: 120.9 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 (92%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
This route is predominantly a highway drive, with 92% of the journey on major roads like US 93 and Jeannette Rankin Memorial Highway. You'll experience a significant uninterrupted stretch of 111 miles on US 93, meaning long periods of consistent driving. The character is largely that of a well-maintained highway, facilitating a smooth and consistent pace for most of the 120.9 miles. Expect a focused driving experience rather than a winding, scenic tour.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 13 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 93 is the longest continuous segment at about 111 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 93 and Jeannette Rankin Memorial Highway. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near I 90 Bus / West Broadway Street.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 2h 30m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (I 90 Bus / West Broadway Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.7 miles (US 93 Bus / North Orange Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 9 miles (US 93; MT 200): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
I 90 Bus / West Broadway Street
Turn right onto I 90 Bus / West Broadway Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.7 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
US 93 Bus / North Orange Street
Enter roundabout onto US 93 Bus / North Orange Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
9 mi into trip
|
~10m in
|
US 93; MT 200
Take the exit onto US 93; MT 200 toward US 93 North, MT 200 West: Kalispell
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 93 North, MT 200 West: Kalispell
6
9.2 mi into trip
|
~11m in
|
US 93; MT 200
Keep slight right at fork onto US 93; MT 200 toward US 93 North, MT 200 West: Kalispell
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 93 North, MT 200 West: Kalispell
6
120.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 30m in
|
3rd Street East
Turn left onto 3rd Street East
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 93 | 111 mi | 2h 17m |
| Jeannette Rankin Memorial Highway | 8 mi | 8m |
| 1st Avenue East | 0.8 mi | 2m |
| North Orange Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| West Broadway Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| 3rd Street East | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| North Higgins Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| 3rd Street West | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
US 93
— 111 mi, about 2h 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Missoula, MT and Kalispell, MT.
1
Start on North Higgins Avenue
19 ft
·
4 sec
·
North Higgins Avenue
2
Turn right onto I 90 Bus
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
West Broadway Street
3
Turn right onto US 93 Bus
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North Orange Street
4
Enter roundabout onto US 93 Bus
110 ft
·
2 sec
·
North Orange Street
5
Continue on US 93 Bus
278 ft
·
4 sec
·
North Orange Street
6
Take the ramp
184 ft
·
4 sec
7
Continue on this road
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
this road
8
Merge onto I 90; MT 200
8.0 mi
·
8 min
·
Jeannette Rankin Memorial Highway
9
Take the exit onto US 93; MT 200
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
US 93; MT 200
Toward US 93 North, MT 200 West: Kalispell
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 93; MT 200
111 mi
·
2 hr 17 min
·
US 93; MT 200
Toward US 93 North, MT 200 West: Kalispell
11
Turn right onto 1st Avenue East
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
1st Avenue East
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Turn left onto 3rd Street East
427 ft
·
13 sec
·
3rd Street East
Use the left lane.
13
Arrive at destination
3rd Street West
Trip Plan
Given the 2h 30m travel time, departing in the morning allows ample time to reach Kalispell and still have the afternoon free. With a longest stretch of 111 miles, plan for your one stop strategically, perhaps midway or closer to your destination. The fuel cost is estimated at $19, so ensure your tank is adequately filled before setting off to avoid any concerns. As this is a shorter, highway-focused drive, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time based on your morning in Missoula.
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 60.5 miles from Missoula, MT, or about 1h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 111 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 27 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 60.5 miles or 1h 14m 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 2m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kalispell, 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 120.9 miles and 2h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 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 US 93 for about 111 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 60.5 mi from Missoula, MT · 1h 14m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
60 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 27 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 60.5 miles from Missoula, MT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 93 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 111 miles.
Arriving in Kalispell, MT
The final approach into Kalispell, 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 Kalispell, 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$19.16 one way
$38.32 round trip
$4.03/gal
25.4 MPG avg
42 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.22 | $20.08 | $40.16 |
| premium | $4.53 | $21.57 | $43.13 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $26.69 | $53.39 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 42.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 36.3 | 0 | $12.69 | $5.80 |
| Efficient EV | 30.2 | 0 | $10.58 | $4.84 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 48.4 | 0 | $16.93 | $7.74 |
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 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.
Destination
Kalispell, MT
Afternoon in Kalispell on Friday
Local time
1:51 PM
MDT
Current temp
60°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
5 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Missoula, MT to Kalispell, MT covers 120.9 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 US 93, Jeannette Rankin Memorial Highway, 1st Avenue East. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 60.5 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 $19.16 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 is a straightforward 2h 30m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (I 90 Bus / West Broadway Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.7 miles (US 93 Bus / North Orange Street): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 9 miles (US 93; MT 200): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Missoula, MT to Kalispell, 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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