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Trip from Whitefish, MT to Clancy, MT

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

Drive Time

4h 19m

Distance

223.2 mi

359 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$35

one way

EV Charging

Good

8 stations

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 6m ★
6 AM
4h 19m
8 AM
4h 46m
10 AM
4h 29m
12 PM
4h 26m
3 PM
4h 30m
5 PM
4h 45m
8 PM
4h 11m

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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Download GPX
city in Flathead County, Montana, United States

Whitefish, MT

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Clancy, MT, MT

Clancy, MT

Rafael Minguet Delgado

Trip Overview

The drive from Whitefish, MT to Clancy, MT covers 223.2 miles and takes about 4h 19m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on MT 83, State Highway 141, US 12 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 91.1 miles on MT 83. At current regular gas prices, budget about $35.37 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

111.6 miles from Whitefish, MT

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 13m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
MT 83 91.1 mi 1h 43m
State Highway 141 32.5 mi 34m
US 12 29.8 mi 35m
MT 200 23.8 mi 25m
MT 35 15.9 mi 18m
First Special Service Force Memorial Highway 10.7 mi 10m
US 93 North 6.8 mi 8m
West Reserve Drive 3.5 mi 5m
Longest stretch: MT 83 — 91.1 mi, about 1h 43m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Whitefish, MT and Clancy, MT.

1

Start on this road

168 ft · 17 sec · this road
2

Turn left onto US 93

0.1 mi · 24 sec · East 2nd Street
3

Turn right onto US 93

1.7 mi · 3 min · Spokane Avenue
4

Continue on US 93

3.2 mi · 4 min · US 93 South
5

Continue on US 93

6.8 mi · 8 min · US 93 North
6

Turn left onto MT 548

3.5 mi · 5 min · West Reserve Drive
Use the left lane.
7

Turn right onto Helena Flats Road

1.1 mi · 2 min · Helena Flats Road
8

Turn left onto MT 35

1.1 mi · 1 min · MT 35
Use the right lane.
9

Continue on MT 35

15 mi · 17 min · MT 35
Use the straight lane.
10

Turn left onto MT 83

91 mi · 1 hr 43 min · MT 83
Use the left lane.
11

Turn left onto MT 200

24 mi · 25 min · MT 200
12

Turn right onto MT 141

32 mi · 34 min · State Highway 141
13

Turn left onto US 12

30 mi · 35 min · US 12
Use the straight / right lanes.
14

Continue on US 12

0.4 mi · 1 min · West Lyndale Avenue
15

Turn left onto I 15 Business

0.7 mi · 1 min · North Last Chance Gulch Street
Use the left lane.
16

Keep slight right at fork onto I 15 Business

0.1 mi · 18 sec · North Last Chance Gulch Street
17

Continue on Cedar Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · Cedar Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
18

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 31 sec
Toward Butte Use the right lane.
19

Merge onto I 15; US 287

11 mi · 10 min · First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
20

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec
Exit 182 Toward Clancy
21

Turn right onto Railroad Way

0.3 mi · 44 sec · Railroad Way
22

Continue on East Clancy Street

0.1 mi · 20 sec · East Clancy Street
23

Turn right onto North Main Street

149 ft · 4 sec · North Main Street
24

Arrive at destination

North Main Street

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 111.6 miles from Whitefish, MT, or about 2h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 91.1 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 49 miles or 1h 2m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 111.6 miles or 2h 13m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 31m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clancy, MT than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Whitefish, 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 Whitefish, MT

This is one driving day of about 223.2 miles and 4h 19m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Whitefish, 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 83 for about 91.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Seeley Lake, MT, MT

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Seeley Lake, MT

112 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

Bigfork, MT

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 49 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Seeley Lake, MT

Meal break

The midpoint is around 111.6 miles from Whitefish, MT, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before MT 83 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 91.1 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

Buffalo Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Whitefish, Montana

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+14068622833

Visit website

Loula's Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Whitefish, Montana

0.1 mi

Swift Creek Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Whitefish, MT

0.1 mi

Top Coffee Stop

Folklore Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Whitefish, Montana

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route Inexpensiv

Hours: 7 am–3:30 pm

+14067301020

Visit website

Westside Coffee Bar | Whitefish, MT

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Whitefish, Montana

0.4 mi

Cowgirl Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Whitefish, Montana

0.9 mi

Buffalo Cafe

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Whitefish, Montana

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+14068622833

Visit website

Loula's Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Whitefish, Montana

Hours: 7 am–2 pm

+14068625614

Visit website

Swift Creek Cafe

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route $10 to $20

Whitefish, MT

Hours: 8 am–2 pm

+14068629136

Visit website

Bonsai Brewing Project

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour $10 to $20

Whitefish, Montana

Hours: 12–8 pm

+14067301717

Visit website

Seasons Restaurant

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 111.6

Seeley Lake, Montana

Hours: 8 am–2 pm

+14066772900

Visit website

Boat Club Restaurant

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour Expensive

Whitefish, Montana

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+14068634040

Visit website

Cafe Zydeco

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour $10 to $20 mile 207.2

Helena, Montana

Hours: 11 am–7 pm

+14064497032

Visit website

Helena Hokkaido Ramen & Sushi Bar

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour $20 to $30 mile 207.2

Helena, Montana

Hours: 11 am–2:30 pm

+14065021235

Visit website

Folklore Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route Inexpensiv

Whitefish, Montana

Hours: 7 am–3:30 pm

+14067301020

Visit website

Westside Coffee Bar | Whitefish, MT

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour $1 to $10

Whitefish, Montana

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+14068624535

Cowgirl Coffee

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour $1 to $10

Whitefish, Montana

Hours: 6 am–6 pm

+14068621701

Visit website

Montago Coffee

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 207.2

Helena, Montana

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+14064013446

Visit website

Bigfork Coffee House

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3 mi from route ~7 min detour $1 to $10 mile 31.9

Bigfork, Montana

Hours: 7 am–4 pm

+14064202238

Visit website

SheBrews Coffee on Custer

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour $1 to $10 mile 207.2

Helena, Montana

Hours: 5 am–7 pm

+14069961015

Visit website

Chi Cafe

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour $30 to $40 mile 15.9

Kalispell, Montana

Hours: 11 am–6 pm

+14064077707

Visit website

Queen City Coffee

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 207.2

Helena, Montana

Hours: 6:30 am–2 pm

+14064407880

Visit website

Tesla Destination Charger

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour

Whitefish, Montana

Visit website

TurnOnGreen Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 15.9

Kalispell, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+15106572635

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 15.9

Kalispell, Montana

+18887584389

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

3.3 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Whitefish, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.4 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 15.9

Kalispell, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

ZEF Energy Charging Station

3.2 ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 111.6

Seeley Lake, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+16126884596

Visit website

ChargePoint Charging Station

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 207.2

Helena, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18887584389

Visit website

Tesla Supercharger

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 207.2

Helena, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Whitefish Visitor Information Center

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route

Whitefish, Montana

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+14068623501

Visit website

ExplorationWorks

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 207.2

Helena, Montana

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+14064571800

Visit website

Escape Helena

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 207.2

Helena, Montana

Hours: 1–8:30 pm

+14064220321

Visit website

Last Chance Tours

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 207.2

Helena, Montana

Hours: 8 am–3 pm

+14064421023

Visit website

Thompson Memorial Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 15.9

Kalispell, Montana

Hours: Open 24 hours

+14067587718

Visit website

Montana Radio Cafe

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 15.9

Kalispell, Montana

+14067557575

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 16

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 179.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | US 93 / East 2nd Street

Turn left onto US 93 / East 2nd Street

Navigation decision point

6
11.9 mi into trip | ~16m in | MT 548 / West Reserve Drive

Turn left onto MT 548 / West Reserve Drive

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
6
16.6 mi into trip | ~24m in | MT 35

Turn left onto MT 35

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.
5
32.5 mi into trip | ~43m in | MT 83

Turn left onto MT 83

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
5
179.9 mi into trip | ~3h 27m in | US 12

Turn left onto US 12

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$35.37 one way

$70.74 round trip

$4.03/gal 25.4 MPG avg 78 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.22 $37.07 $74.15
premium $4.53 $39.82 $79.63
diesel $5.61 $49.28 $98.56

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$35

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$60–$85

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 78.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 67 0 $23.44 $10.71
Efficient EV 55.8 0 $19.53 $8.93
EV Truck/SUV 89.3 1 $31.25 $14.28

Gas CO2

78 kg

EV CO2

26 kg (67% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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

Whitefish, MT

Afternoon in Whitefish on Saturday

Local time

12:12 PM

MDT

Current temp

40°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Clancy, MT

Afternoon in Clancy on Saturday

Local time

12:12 PM

MDT

Current temp

42°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

2 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 19m 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?

223.2 mi in 4h 19m, mostly highway — 91.1 mi of that is on MT 83.

91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 91.1 mi on MT 83.

How Hard Is This Drive?

5/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MT 83 and State Highway 141. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 93 / East 2nd Street.

Driving Effort 5/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 223.2 miles you will encounter 16 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 93 / East 2nd Street): Navigation decision point; at 11.9 miles (MT 548 / West Reserve Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 16.6 miles (MT 35): Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Whitefish, MT to Clancy, MT, road signs begin pointing toward Butte along the way.

Butte

211.5 mi in | ~4h 6m

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 19m. Total distance: 223.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 91.1 miles on MT 83. 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 (US 93 / East 2nd Street): Navigation decision point; at 11.9 miles (MT 548 / West Reserve Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 16.6 miles (MT 35): Lane positioning matters here.

Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Clancy, 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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