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Trip from Missoula, MT to Columbus, MT

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

Drive Time

4h 55m

Distance

303.3 mi

488 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$48

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 42m ★
6 AM
4h 55m
8 AM
5h 22m
10 AM
5h 5m
12 PM
5h 2m
3 PM
5h 6m
5 PM
5h 21m
8 PM
4h 47m

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

town in and county seat of Stillwater County, Montana, United States

Columbus, MT

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Missoula, MT to Columbus, MT covers 303.3 miles and takes about 4h 55m 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, I 90 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 115.1 miles on Jeannette Rankin Memorial Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $48.06 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

151.7 miles from Missoula, MT

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 26m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Jeannette Rankin Memorial Highway 115.1 mi 1h 49m
I 15 110.8 mi 1h 51m
I 90 75.3 mi 1h 10m
MT 78 0.7 mi 1m
East Broadway Street 0.6 mi <1m
I 90 Business 0.2 mi <1m
East Pike Avenue 0.2 mi <1m
Van Buren Street <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 Columbus, 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

111 mi · 1 hr 51 min · I 15; I 90
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Continue on I 90; US 89; US 191

6.9 mi · 6 min · I 90; US 89; US 191
8

Continue on I 90; US 191

68 mi · 1 hr 4 min · I 90; US 191
9

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 41 sec
Toward MT 78: Columbus
10

Turn right onto MT 78

0.7 mi · 1 min · MT 78
11

At end of road, turn right onto MT 78

0.2 mi · 35 sec · East Pike Avenue
12

Arrive at destination

MT 78

Trip Plan

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 151.7 miles from Missoula, MT, or about 2h 26m 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 67 miles or 1h 4m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 151.7 miles or 2h 26m 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 2m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Columbus, 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 303.3 miles and 4h 55m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 67 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.

consolidated city-county (with Silver Bow County) in Montana, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Butte, MT

152 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

Deer Lodge, MT

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 67 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Whitehall, MT

Meal break

The midpoint is around 151.7 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.

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

The Beartooth Beanery

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Columbus, Montana

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $1 to $10 mile 303.3

Hours: 6:30 am–2 pm

Clyde Coffee

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Missoula, Montana

0.6 mi

Wildflower Coffee Co.

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Belgrade, Montana

1.6 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

The Beartooth Beanery

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $1 to $10 mile 303.3

Columbus, Montana

Hours: 6:30 am–2 pm

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

Early Bird Coffee House

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.2 mi from route $1 to $10 mile 303.3

Columbus, Montana

Hours: 5 am–2 pm

Wildflower Coffee Co.

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour $1 to $10 mile 195

Belgrade, Montana

Hours: 6:30 am–2 pm

The Coffee Stop

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $1 to $10 mile 260

Big Timber, Montana

Hours: 6 am–2 pm

+14069328646

Visit website

Bourbon Coffee Co.

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 195

Belgrade, Montana

Hours: 5:30 am–1 pm

Revamped Coffee Co

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour Inexpensiv mile 195

Belgrade, Montana

Hours: 6 am–3:30 pm

+14069200386

Visit website

Crazy Mountain Coffee Roasters

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 260

Big Timber, Montana

Hours: 8 am–1 pm

+14064046056

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

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

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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

Tesla Supercharger

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 195

Belgrade, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

EV Charging Station

3.0 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 195

Belgrade, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+14063887684

Tesla Supercharger

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 195

Bozeman, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18777983752

Visit website

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

Dragon Hollow Playground

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour

Missoula, MT

+14065498382

Visit website

Itch-Kep-Pe Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 303.3

Columbus, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

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

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

Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour

4.2 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 151.7

Whitehall, MT

Hours: Open 24 hours

+14062873541

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 8

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 303.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

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.
4
302.1 mi into trip | ~4h 52m in

Take the exit toward MT 78: Columbus

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early

Toward MT 78: Columbus
5
303.1 mi into trip | ~4h 54m in | MT 78 / East Pike Avenue

At end of road, turn right onto MT 78 / East Pike Avenue

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$48.06 one way

$96.12 round trip

$4.03/gal 25.4 MPG avg 106 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.22 $50.38 $100.76
premium $4.53 $54.10 $108.21
diesel $5.61 $66.96 $133.93

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$48

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$73–$98

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 106.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 91 1 $31.85 $14.56
Efficient EV 75.8 0 $26.54 $12.13
EV Truck/SUV 121.3 1 $42.46 $19.41

Gas CO2

106 kg

EV CO2

35 kg (67% 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Missoula, MT

Morning in Missoula on Saturday

Local time

11:36 AM

MDT

Current temp

65°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Columbus, MT

Morning in Columbus on Saturday

Local time

11:36 AM

MDT

Current temp

74°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

9 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

4h 55m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

303.3 mi in 4h 55m, mostly highway — 115.1 mi of that is on Jeannette Rankin Memorial Highway.

62% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
12 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 115.1 mi on Jeannette Rankin Memorial Highway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

3/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Jeannette Rankin Memorial Highway and I 15. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near I 90 Bus; US 12 Bus / East 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 4h 55m drive. You will face about 8 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; 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?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 55m. Total distance: 303.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (62%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 115.1 miles on Jeannette Rankin Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.

Mostly yes along the main roads, but rural stretches through MT can have sparse or no coverage. Before you leave, download offline Google Maps or Apple Maps for the route, and consider downloading music or podcasts instead of streaming. If you depend on data for navigation, keep a paper backup of the turn-by-turn directions.

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.

Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Columbus, MT, but most travelers stay overnight.

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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