Origin
Thompson Falls, MT
Evening in Thompson Falls on Sunday
Local time
7:44 PM
MDT
Current temp
28°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Thompson Falls, MT to Kalispell, MT
Drive Time
2h 33m
Distance
107.4 mi
173 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$17
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 23m
★
6 AM
2h 34m
8 AM
2h 54m
10 AM
2h 41m
12 PM
2h 39m
3 PM
2h 42m
5 PM
2h 53m
8 PM
2h 27m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Thompson Falls, MT
JOHN CALLERY
Kalispell, MT
James Mirakian
Trip Overview
Stretching 107.4 miles across the Mountain West, this trip from Thompson Falls to Kalispell is a straightforward journey typically requiring about 2 hours and 33 minutes of travel time. Because of the manageable distance, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. You can expect to spend roughly $17 on fuel, making it a budget-friendly option for your Montana travels. The drive primarily utilizes MT 28 and US 93, moving you efficiently between these two regional hubs. Whether you are commuting or exploring, the simplicity of the route allows for a stress-free transition through the local landscape.
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
53.7 miles from Thompson Falls, MT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 20m into the drive .
Drive Character
This highway-focused drive balances efficiency with a steady rhythm, featuring a 75% highway share that keeps you moving toward your destination. You will navigate a variety of road types, transitioning between the open stretches of MT 28 and the connectivity of US 93. Be prepared for a significant push on MT 28, which serves as the longest uninterrupted segment of the trip at 46.7 miles. As you progress, the road character shifts from regional corridors to the more bustling infrastructure approaching Kalispell. It is a practical driving experience that favors steady momentum over technical or winding backroads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 10 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
MT 28 is the longest continuous segment at about 46.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MT 28 and US 93. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near East Preston Avenue.
Route Complexity
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Thompson Falls, MT to Kalispell, MT is easy. At 2h 33m with 75% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (East Preston Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (MT 200 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 72.6 miles (US 93): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
East Preston Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto East Preston Avenue
Navigation decision point
4
0.3 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
MT 200 / Main Street
Turn left onto MT 200 / Main Street
Navigation decision point
4
72.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 48m in
|
US 93
At end of road, turn left onto US 93
Navigation decision point
5
106.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 31m in
|
1st Avenue East
Turn right onto 1st Avenue East
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
107.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 33m in
|
3rd Street East
Turn left onto 3rd Street East
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MT 28 | 46.7 mi | 1h 9m |
| US 93 | 33.9 mi | 42m |
| Main Street | 25.6 mi | 38m |
| 1st Avenue East | 0.8 mi | 2m |
| Woodland Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| 3rd Street East | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| East Preston Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| 3rd Street West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
MT 28
— 46.7 mi, about 1h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Thompson Falls, MT and Kalispell, MT.
1
Start on Woodland Street
469 ft
·
21 sec
·
Woodland Street
2
At end of road, turn right onto East Preston Avenue
427 ft
·
19 sec
·
East Preston Avenue
3
Turn left
156 ft
·
7 sec
4
Continue on this road
481 ft
·
27 sec
·
this road
5
Turn left onto MT 200
26 mi
·
38 min
·
Main Street
6
Turn left onto MT 28
47 mi
·
1 hr 9 min
·
MT 28
7
At end of road, turn left onto US 93
34 mi
·
42 min
·
US 93
8
Turn right onto 1st Avenue East
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
1st Avenue East
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Turn left onto 3rd Street East
427 ft
·
13 sec
·
3rd Street East
Use the left lane.
10
Arrive at destination
3rd Street West
Trip Plan
For the best experience, plan for a one-stop itinerary to break up the 2-hour and 33-minute duration. While the drive is short enough to tackle in one go, building in a brief rest allows you to stay sharp, especially when navigating the transition onto US 93. Since this is a highway-focused route, check your fuel levels before leaving Thompson Falls to ensure you stay within your $17 budget and avoid unnecessary stops. Keep a close eye on your mileage during the 46.7-mile stretch on MT 28, as this is where you will spend the bulk of your time behind the wheel. Given the route's flexibility, you have the advantage of choosing a departure time that avoids peak traffic near Kalispell.
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 53.7 miles from Thompson Falls, MT, or about 1h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 46.7 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 80 miles or 1h 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 53.7 miles or 1h 20m 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 8m
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 Thompson Falls, 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 Thompson Falls, MT
This is one driving day of about 107.4 miles and 2h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Thompson Falls, 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 MT 28 for about 46.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 53.7 mi from Thompson Falls, MT · 1h 20m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
54 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 53.7 miles from Thompson Falls, MT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.02 one way
$34.04 round trip
$4.03/gal
25.4 MPG avg
38 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.23 | $17.89 | $35.78 |
| premium | $4.53 | $19.15 | $38.30 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $23.86 | $47.72 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 37.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 32.2 | 0 | $11.28 | $5.16 |
| Efficient EV | 26.9 | 0 | $9.40 | $4.30 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 43 | 0 | $15.04 | $6.87 |
Gas CO2
38 kg
EV CO2
13 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
Kalispell, MT
Evening in Kalispell on Sunday
Local time
7:44 PM
MDT
Current temp
40°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
SSE 1 mph
16% chance
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
12 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
2h 33m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Thompson Falls, MT to Kalispell, MT covers 107.4 miles and takes about 2h 33m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are MT 28, US 93, Main Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 53.7 miles from Thompson Falls, MT. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $17.02 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 Thompson Falls, MT to Kalispell, MT is easy. At 2h 33m with 75% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (East Preston Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (MT 200 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 72.6 miles (US 93): Navigation decision point.
The route from Thompson Falls, MT to Kalispell, MT does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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