Origin
Thompson Falls, MT
Evening in Thompson Falls on Sunday
Local time
6:36 PM
MDT
Current temp
28°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Thompson Falls, MT to Missoula, MT
Drive Time
2h 21m
Distance
101.7 mi
164 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$16
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 12m
★
6 AM
2h 22m
8 AM
2h 41m
10 AM
2h 29m
12 PM
2h 27m
3 PM
2h 29m
5 PM
2h 40m
8 PM
2h 16m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Thompson Falls, MT
JOHN CALLERY
Missoula, MT
John De Leon
Trip Overview
Spanning 101.7 miles through the heart of the Mountain West, the drive from Thompson Falls to Missoula is a straightforward journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 21 minutes. Because of the manageable distance, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $16 for fuel to cover the distance, making this a highly economical excursion. The transition from the quieter environment of Thompson Falls into the more bustling hub of Missoula offers a nice change of pace. Whether you are commuting or exploring, the trip is short enough to remain flexible while providing a consistent driving experience across Montana.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
50.9 miles from Thompson Falls, MT
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 16m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a mixed driving experience that balances highway efficiency with local road navigation. You will spend roughly 58 percent of your time on highways, primarily utilizing Montana Highway 200, US 93, and Main Street. The longest uninterrupted stretch you will encounter is a 31.5-mile segment on Montana Highway 200, which provides the most consistent rhythm for your drive. As you transition between these roads, the character of the trip shifts from open stretches to the more localized traffic patterns found near your destination. It is a practical drive that requires your attention as the road conditions evolve from highway speeds to the street-level navigation required to enter Missoula.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Montana Highway 200 is the longest continuous segment at about 31.5 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 around 0.1 miles in near East Preston Avenue.
Route Complexity
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
The drive from Thompson Falls, MT to Missoula, MT is easy. At 2h 21m with 58% 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 92.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0.1 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
92.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 10m in
Take the exit toward I 90 East: Missoula
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward I 90 East: Missoula
5
101 mi into trip
|
~2h 20m in
|
US 93 Bus / North Orange Street
Enter roundabout onto US 93 Bus / North Orange Street
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
5
101.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 21m in
|
North Higgins Avenue
Turn left onto North Higgins Avenue
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Montana Highway 200 | 31.5 mi | 46m |
| US 93 | 27.3 mi | 32m |
| Main Street | 25.6 mi | 38m |
| A Street | 7.5 mi | 11m |
| West Broadway Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| North Orange Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
| Woodland Street | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| East Preston Avenue | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Montana Highway 200
— 31.5 mi, about 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Thompson Falls, MT and Missoula, 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
Continue on MT 200
32 mi
·
46 min
·
Montana Highway 200
7
Continue on MT 200
7.5 mi
·
11 min
·
A Street
8
Continue on US 93; MT 200
27 mi
·
32 min
·
US 93; MT 200
9
Continue on West Broadway Street
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
West Broadway Street
10
Continue on West Broadway Street
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
West Broadway Street
11
Take the exit
8.2 mi
·
9 min
Toward I 90 East: Missoula
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Toward Orange Street
13
Enter roundabout onto US 93 Bus
94 ft
·
1 sec
·
North Orange Street
14
Continue on US 93 Bus
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North Orange Street
15
Turn left onto I 90 Bus
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
West Broadway Street
16
Turn left onto North Higgins Avenue
19 ft
·
0 sec
·
North Higgins Avenue
17
Arrive at destination
North Higgins Avenue
Trip Plan
Since this 101.7-mile route is a relatively quick trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. You can easily complete the journey in one sitting without needing to schedule formal stops for fatigue, though it is always smart to ensure your tank is ready for the $16 fuel requirement before you depart. Keep in mind that your route relies on a specific sequence of Montana Highway 200, US 93, and Main Street, so stay alert for transitions between these road types to stay on track. Because there are no designated stops required by the trip data, you can maximize your time by heading straight through to your destination. Planning your arrival to avoid peak traffic hours on Main Street will help ensure a smoother final leg of your journey.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 50.9 miles from Thompson Falls, MT, or about 1h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 31.5 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 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 50.9 miles or 1h 16m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 59m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Missoula, 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 101.7 miles and 2h 21m.
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.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on Montana Highway 200 for about 31.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 50.9 mi from Thompson Falls, MT · 1h 16m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
51 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 50.9 miles from Thompson Falls, MT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Missoula, MT
The final approach into Missoula, 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 Missoula, 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
$16.12 one way
$32.23 round trip
$4.03/gal
25.4 MPG avg
36 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.23 | $16.94 | $33.88 |
| premium | $4.53 | $18.13 | $36.27 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $22.59 | $45.19 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$16
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$41–$66
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 35.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 30.5 | 0 | $10.68 | $4.88 |
| Efficient EV | 25.4 | 0 | $8.90 | $4.07 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 40.7 | 0 | $14.24 | $6.51 |
Gas CO2
36 kg
EV CO2
12 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
Missoula, MT
Evening in Missoula on Sunday
Local time
6:36 PM
MDT
Current temp
33°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 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 21m 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 Thompson Falls, MT to Missoula, MT covers 101.7 miles and takes about 2h 21m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Montana Highway 200, US 93, Main Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 50.9 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 $16.12 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.
The drive from Thompson Falls, MT to Missoula, MT is easy. At 2h 21m with 58% 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 92.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
The route from Thompson Falls, MT to Missoula, MT does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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