How far is Boulder, MT from Missoula, MT?

Fastest route

The route from Boulder, Montana 59632 to Missoula, Montana is approximately 144 miles and takes about 2 hours and 18 minutes via US-12 W and I-90 W.

Directions

  1. Get on I-15 N: Head east on W Centennial Ave toward N Main St. Turn left at the 1st cross street onto N Main St. Turn right to merge onto I-15 N toward Helena.
  2. Follow I-15 N to Cedar St in Helena. Take exit 193 from I-15 N: Use the right 2 lanes to take exit 193 for Cedar St.
  3. Follow US-12 W to I-90 W in Garrison: Continue onto N Last Chance Gulch/N Main St. Turn right onto W Lyndale Ave. Continue onto US-12 W/Euclid Ave.
  4. Merge onto I-90 W/US-12 W. Take exit 105 for I-90 BUS W/US-12 W/Van Buren St.
  5. Follow N Van Buren St to E Broadway St: At the traffic circle, take the 3rd exit onto US-12/N Van Buren St. At the next traffic circle, take the 1st exit onto N Van Buren St.
  6. Turn right onto E Broadway St: Pass by Burger King (on the left). Continue straight to stay on E Broadway St.

Tips & Suggestions

  • 🚗 Make sure to check the traffic conditions before starting your journey.
  • ⛽ Plan for fuel stops along the way, especially if your vehicle has a limited range.
  • 📱 Use a navigation app or GPS device to help you stay on track and find the best routes.
  • 🛣️ Be aware of any road closures or construction that may affect your route and adjust accordingly.
  • 🚦 Observe traffic signs and signals, and follow the speed limits for a safe and smooth journey.
  • 🍽️ Consider stopping for meals or snacks at suitable locations along the way.
  • 🚗 Take breaks if needed to rest, stretch, and stay alert during the drive.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
143.1 mi
02h 18m
Flight
99.24 mi
159.71 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Boulder.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
99.24 mi
Kilometers
159.71 km
Flight Time
00h 11m

Driving Distance

Road route
143.1 mi
Kilometers
230.3 km
Drive Time
02h 18m

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 02h 18m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Missoula
Wed, Apr 22, 9:40 PM MDT
Return by in Boulder
Wed, Apr 22, 11:58 PM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Boulder
2026-04-22T19:21
Arrive Missoula
Wed, Apr 22, 9:40 PM MDT
Route Timing
02h 18m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:18 AM to 12:18 PM MDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:54 PM MDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Boulder
9:30 PM MDT
Morning start is best

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
Deer Lodge
MT

City in and the county seat of Powell County, Montana, United States

From Boulder
71.8 mi
01h 09m
To Missoula
71.3 mi
01h 09m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
59°F
Wednesday

Chance Light Rain then Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
6 to 16 mph SSW
Destination
62°F
Wednesday

Chance Light Rain then Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
2 to 8 mph W

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on West Centennial Avenue

    112 m · 16 sec · West Centennial Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn left onto North Main Street

    1.1 km · 1 min · North Main Street

  3. 3

    Take the ramp right toward Helena

    1284 ft · 31 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left

    27.8 mi · 26 min

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward Cedar Street

    1483 ft · 44 sec

  6. 6

    Turn left onto Cedar Street

    1.3 km · 2 min · Cedar Street

  7. 7

    Continue on North Last Chance Gulch Street

    1.3 km · 2 min · North Last Chance Gulch Street

  8. 8

    Turn right onto West Lyndale Avenue

    2353 ft · 1 min · West Lyndale Avenue

  9. 9

    Continue on Euclid Avenue

    111.6 mi · 1 hr 55 min · Euclid Avenue

  10. 10

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

    1037 ft · 26 sec

  11. 11

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Van Buren Street

    63 m · 3 sec · Van Buren Street

  12. 12

    Exit the roundabout onto Van Buren Street

    65 m · 4 sec · Van Buren Street

  13. 13

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Van Buren Street

    28 m · 1 sec · Van Buren Street

  14. 14

    Exit the roundabout onto Van Buren Street

    583 ft · 11 sec · Van Buren Street

  15. 15

    Turn right onto East Broadway Street

    3078 ft · 55 sec · East Broadway Street

  16. 16

    Turn right onto North Higgins Avenue

    6 m · 1 sec · North Higgins Avenue

  17. 17

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Higgins Avenue

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
17 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
1 merges, 7 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Euclid Avenue
112 mi · 78%
Helena
28.1 mi · 20%
Cedar Street
1.07 mi · 1%
North Last Chance Gulch Street
0.81 mi · 1%
North Main Street
0.69 mi
East Broadway Street
0.58 mi
Longest Stretch

Euclid Avenue

Continue on Euclid Avenue

112 mi · 01h 55m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 18m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 36m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+43.9 mi
99.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Deer Lodge
01h 09m from Boulder
Leave By
1:54 PM MDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Light Rain then Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Boulder and Chance Light Rain then Showers And Thunderstorms near Missoula.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 143.1 miles (230.3 km) and usually takes 02h 18m in normal driving conditions.

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

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Deer Lodge is a useful midpoint, sitting about 71.8 miles from Boulder and 71.3 miles from Missoula.

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

The direct path is about 99.2 miles (159.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 43.9 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:54 PM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.66 one way or $39.32 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 44.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Light Rain then Showers And Thunderstorms around Boulder and Chance Light Rain then Showers And Thunderstorms near Missoula.

Stop Ideas Near Deer Lodge

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Deer Lodge, 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 Deer Lodge.

BUS

Butte, MT

47 mi away
1324 Harrison Avenue
BUS

Missoula, MT

112 mi away
1660 West Broadway Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Boulder and Missoula. Straight-line distance: 99.24 mi (159.71 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Boulder

Town in Montana

Population1,291
Coordinates46.2365900, -112.1208300
Altitude1496
CountryUnited States
Missoula

#2 Missoula

The most populous city in Missoula County, Montana.

Population76,848
Coordinates46.8721500, -113.9940000
Altitude978
CountryUnited States
Start: West Centennial Avenue (-112.120806, 46.236652)
End: North Higgins Avenue (-113.994022, 46.872156)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 230 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 46m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 34m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 51m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 23m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 02m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 47m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.05 gal
19.11 L · about $19.66
Round trip
$39.32
10.1 gal · 38.22 L
Estimated CO2
44.9 kg one way
Round trip: 89.8 kg / 198 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.89 $19.66 $39.32
Mid-grade $4.23 $21.37 $42.73
Premium $4.55 $22.97 $45.94
Diesel $5.41 $27.33 $54.66

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 · Apr 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Boulder and Missoula. The current time is 19:21:47.

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.