How far is Billings, MT from Missoula, MT?

The driving distance from Billings, MT to Missoula, MT is about 345.4 miles (555.9 km), with a travel time of about 05h 01m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 272.6 miles (438.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 02m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
345.42 mi
05h 01m
Flight
272.61 mi
438.72 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Billings.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
272.61 mi
Kilometers
438.72 km
Flight Time
00h 32m

Driving Distance

Road route
345.42 mi
Kilometers
555.9 km
Drive Time
05h 01m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 05h 01m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Missoula
Tue, May 19, 1:32 AM MDT
Return by in Billings
Tue, May 19, 6:33 AM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Billings
2026-05-18T20:31
Arrive Missoula
Tue, May 19, 1:32 AM MDT
Route Timing
05h 01m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:01 AM to 1:01 PM MDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
6:58 AM MDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Billings
9:00 PM MDT
Early departure recommended

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Three Forks
MT

City in Gallatin County, Montana, United States

From Billings
171.5 mi
02h 30m
To Missoula
173.9 mi
02h 30m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
50°F
Monday

Slight Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Mon, May 18 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
10 mph NNE
Destination
63°F
Monday

Widespread Frost then Mostly Sunny

Starts
Mon, May 18 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
0 to 3 mph NNW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Billings and Missoula.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Billings and Missoula.

  1. 1

    Start on Montana Avenue

    589 ft · 25 sec · Montana Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn left onto North 23rd Street

    114 m · 22 sec · North 23rd Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto 1st Avenue North

    1.5 km · 3 min · 1st Avenue North

  4. 4

    Turn left onto Division Street

    136 m · 10 sec · Division Street

  5. 5

    Continue on Montana Avenue

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Montana Avenue

  6. 6

    Continue on Laurel Road

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Laurel Road

  7. 7

    Keep slight right to continue on Butte, I 90 West

    1963 ft · 48 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight right

    105.4 mi · 1 hr 43 min

  9. 9

    Continue straight

    7 mi · 7 min

  10. 10

    Continue straight

    113.4 mi · 1 hr 54 min

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on I 90 West: Missoula

    112.5 mi · 1 hr 47 min

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward US 12 West, I 90 Business

    1037 ft · 26 sec

  13. 13

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Van Buren Street

    63 m · 3 sec · Van Buren Street

  14. 14

    Exit the roundabout onto Van Buren Street

    65 m · 4 sec · Van Buren Street

  15. 15

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Van Buren Street

    28 m · 1 sec · Van Buren Street

  16. 16

    Exit the roundabout onto Van Buren Street

    583 ft · 11 sec · Van Buren Street

  17. 17

    Turn right onto East Broadway Street

    3078 ft · 55 sec · East Broadway Street

  18. 18

    Turn right onto North Higgins Avenue

    6 m · 1 sec · North Higgins Avenue

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Higgins Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Billings and Missoula.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Long-distance drive

This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.

Directions
19 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
1 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
5.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Butte
226 mi · 65%
I 90 West
113 mi · 33%
Montana Avenue
1.45 mi
Laurel Road
1.44 mi
1st Avenue North
0.92 mi
East Broadway Street
0.58 mi
Longest Stretch

Butte

Continue straight

113 mi · 01h 54m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A longer out-and-back drive

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

Drive Time
05h 01m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
10h 02m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+72.8 mi
272.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Three Forks
02h 30m from Billings
Leave By
6:58 AM MDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving Billings and Widespread Frost then Mostly Sunny near Missoula.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Billings to Missoula?

The road trip is about 345.4 miles (555.9 km) and usually takes 05h 01m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Three Forks is a useful midpoint, sitting about 171.5 miles from Billings and 173.9 miles from Missoula.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 272.6 miles (438.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 72.8 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 6:58 AM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $47.46 one way or $94.91 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 108.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers around Billings and Widespread Frost then Mostly Sunny near Missoula.

Stop Ideas Near Three Forks

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Three Forks, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Three Forks.

BUS

Bozeman, MT

32 mi away
6505 Jack Rabbit Lane
BUS

Butte, MT

76 mi away
1324 Harrison Avenue
BUS

Livingston, MT

82 mi away
1404 East Park Street \r\n

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Billings and Missoula. Straight-line distance: 272.61 mi (438.72 km).

Billings

#1 Billings

The most populous city in Montana.

Population117,445
Coordinates45.7832900, -108.5006900
Altitude952
CountryUnited States
Missoula

#2 Missoula

The most populous city in Missoula County, Montana.

Population76,848
Coordinates46.8721500, -113.9940000
Altitude978
CountryUnited States
Start: Montana Avenue (-108.500696, 45.783296)
End: North Higgins Avenue (-113.994022, 46.872156)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 556 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)11h 30m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)08h 38m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)06h 54m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)05h 45m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 56m
80 mph (129 km/h)04h 18m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
12.19 gal
46.14 L · about $47.46
Round trip
$94.91
24.38 gal · 92.28 L
Estimated CO2
108.3 kg one way
Round trip: 216.7 kg / 478 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.89 $47.46 $94.91
Mid-grade $4.23 $51.58 $103.15
Premium $4.55 $55.45 $110.90
Diesel $5.41 $65.97 $131.94

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Montana · May 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Billings and Missoula. The current time is 20:31:32.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.