Trip from Missoula, MT to Three Forks, MT

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 48m

Distance

173.4 mi

279 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$27

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 32 min

4 AM

2h 38m ★

6 AM

2h 49m

8 AM

3h 10m

10 AM

2h 56m

12 PM

2h 54m

3 PM

2h 57m

5 PM

3h 9m

8 PM

2h 42m

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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Trip Overview

The drive from Missoula, MT to Three Forks, MT covers 173.4 miles and takes about 2h 48m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Jeannette Rankin Memorial Highway, I 15, Frontage Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mixed drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 115.1 miles on Jeannette Rankin Memorial Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $27.48 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

86.7 miles from Missoula, MT

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 23m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 48m. Total distance: 173.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (32%). Straightforward navigation.

Scenic Drive

Mixed drive route profile.

Drive Character

The drive from Missoula, MT to Three Forks, MT covers 173.4 miles and takes about 2h 48m, using a mix of highways and local roads.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.

There are about 10 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 115.1 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near I 90 Bus; US 12 Bus / East Broadway Street.

Driving Effort 2/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

The drive from Missoula, MT to Three Forks, MT is easy. At 2h 48m with 32% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

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.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 7 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

3

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

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

6

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.

5

172 mi into trip | ~2h 46m in

Take the exit toward MT 2, MT 205: Three Forks, Trident

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

Toward MT 2, MT 205: Three Forks, Trident

4

172.2 mi into trip | ~2h 46m in | MT 2 / Frontage Road

Turn right onto MT 2 / Frontage Road

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Jeannette Rankin Memorial Highway	115.1 mi	1h 49m
I 15	56 mi	55m
Frontage Road	0.9 mi	1m
East Broadway Street	0.6 mi	<1m
I 90 Business	0.2 mi	<1m
North Main Street	0.2 mi	<1m
Van Buren Street	<0.1 mi	<1m
North Higgins Avenue	<0.1 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: Jeannette Rankin Memorial Highway — 115.1 mi, about 1h 49m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Missoula, MT and Three Forks, 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

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

6

Keep slight right at fork onto I 15; I 90

56 mi · 55 min · I 15; I 90

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

7

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 35 sec

Toward MT 2, MT 205: Three Forks, Trident

8

Turn right onto MT 2

0.9 mi · 1 min · Frontage Road

9

Continue on MT 2

0.2 mi · 19 sec · North Main Street

10

Arrive at destination

S-287

Trip Plan

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 86.7 miles from Missoula, MT, or about 1h 23m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 115.1 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 38 miles or 36m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 86.7 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 16m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Three Forks, 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 173.4 miles and 2h 48m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 38 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 115.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 86.7 mi from Missoula, MT · 1h 23m into the drive

city in and the county seat of Powell County, Montana, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Deer Lodge, MT

87 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

Seeley Lake, MT

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 38 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Deer Lodge, MT

Meal break

The midpoint is around 86.7 miles from Missoula, MT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Jeannette Rankin Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 115.1 miles.

Arriving in Three Forks, MT

The final approach into Three Forks, 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 Three Forks, 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.

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

Parker's Restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Drummond, Montana

0.4 mi

Zoo Thai

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Missoula, Montana

0.1 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Clyde Coffee

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Missoula, Montana

Near the start, right off the route

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

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+14065404481

Visit website

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

Parker's Restaurant

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $10 to $20 mile 49.5

Drummond, Montana

Hours: 11:30 am–7 pm

+14062882333

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

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

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

Missoula, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 111.5

Butte, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour

Missoula, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Electrify America Charging Station

3.3 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour

Missoula, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18336322778

Visit website

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour

Missoula, MT

+14065498382

Visit website

Montana Natural History Center

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour

Missoula, Montana

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+14063270405

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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$27.48 one way

$54.96 round trip

$4.03/gal 25.4 MPG avg 61 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.22	$28.80	$57.60
premium	$4.53	$30.93	$61.86
diesel	$5.61	$38.28	$76.57

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: 60.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	52	$18.21	$8.32
Efficient EV	43.4	$15.17	$6.94
EV Truck/SUV	69.4	$24.28	$11.10

Gas CO2

61 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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Missoula, MT

Morning in Missoula on Friday

Local time

10:22 AM

MDT

Current temp

65°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Three Forks, MT

Morning in Three Forks on Friday

Local time

10:22 AM

MDT

Current temp

40°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

25 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 48m 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 Three Forks, MT covers 173.4 miles and takes about 2h 48m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Jeannette Rankin Memorial Highway, I 15, Frontage Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 86.7 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 $27.48 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.

The drive from Missoula, MT to Three Forks, MT is easy. At 2h 48m with 32% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

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.

The route from Missoula, MT to Three Forks, 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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Trip from Missoula, MT to Three Forks, MT

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Who Is This Route For?

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Three Forks, MT

Nearby Places

The Old Post

Clyde Coffee

The Old Post

Parker's Restaurant

Zoo Thai

The Camino

The Greek Pastry Shop - #1 GYROS

Ciao Mambo

Brasserie Porte Rouge

FINN

Clyde Coffee

BreatheEV Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

ChargePoint Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Tesla Supercharger

Electrify America Charging Station

Tesla Supercharger

Electrify America Charging Station

Caras Park

Dragon Hollow Playground

Montana Natural History Center

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Missoula, MT

Three Forks, MT

Same local time

25 degrees cooler at arrival

2h 48m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the trip from Missoula, MT to Three Forks, MT?

What are the main roads on this route?

Is this a good same-day trip?

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 Three Forks, MT?

Where does this route get tricky?

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

How this page is built

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