How far is Colstrip, MT from Missoula, MT?
The driving distance from Colstrip, MT to Missoula, MT is about 465.6 miles (749.3 km), with a travel time of about 07h 04m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 357.7 miles (575.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 14h 08m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM MDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 07h 04m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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.
City and the county seat of Park County, Montana, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers
Chance Light Rain then Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Colstrip and Missoula.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Colstrip and Missoula.
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1
Start on Park Street
31 m · 4 sec · Park Street
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2
Continue on Box Elder Avenue
2073 ft · 2 min · Box Elder Avenue
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3
At the end of the road, turn right
28.5 mi · 42 min
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4
Take the ramp left
1590 ft · 39 sec
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5
Merge slight left
87.2 mi · 1 hr 31 min
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6
Merge slight left
2.8 mi · 3 min
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7
Continue straight
112.8 mi · 1 hr 52 min
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8
Continue straight
7 mi · 7 min
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9
Continue straight
113.4 mi · 1 hr 54 min
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10
Keep slight left to continue on I 90 West: Missoula
112.5 mi · 1 hr 47 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward US 12 West, I 90 Business
1037 ft · 26 sec
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12
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Van Buren Street
63 m · 3 sec · Van Buren Street
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13
Exit the roundabout onto Van Buren Street
65 m · 4 sec · Van Buren Street
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14
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Van Buren Street
28 m · 1 sec · Van Buren Street
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15
Exit the roundabout onto Van Buren Street
583 ft · 11 sec · Van Buren Street
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16
Turn right onto East Broadway Street
3078 ft · 55 sec · East Broadway Street
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17
Turn right onto North Higgins Avenue
6 m · 1 sec · North Higgins Avenue
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Higgins Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Colstrip and Missoula.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Box Elder Avenue
Continue straight
113 mi · 01h 54m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers leaving Colstrip 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 Colstrip to Missoula?
The road trip is about 465.6 miles (749.3 km) and usually takes 07h 04m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Livingston is a useful midpoint, sitting about 232.5 miles from Colstrip and 233.1 miles from Missoula.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 357.7 miles (575.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 107.9 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 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM MDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $63.96 one way or $127.92 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 146 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers around Colstrip and Chance Light Rain then Showers And Thunderstorms near Missoula.
Stop Ideas Near Livingston
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Livingston.
Livingston, MT
Bozeman, MT
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Colstrip and Missoula. Straight-line distance: 357.75 mi (575.75 km).
#1 Colstrip
Town focused on coal mining and electricity production
| Population | 2,217 |
| Coordinates | 45.8841600, -106.6236400 |
| Altitude | 982 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Missoula
The most populous city in Missoula County, Montana.
| Population | 76,848 |
| Coordinates | 46.8721500, -113.9940000 |
| Altitude | 978 |
| Country | United States |
End: North Higgins Avenue (-113.994022, 46.872156)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 749 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 15h 30m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 11h 38m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 09h 18m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 07h 45m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 06h 39m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 05h 48m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.89 | $63.96 | $127.92 |
| Mid-grade | $4.23 | $69.52 | $139.03 |
| Premium | $4.55 | $74.74 | $149.48 |
| Diesel | $5.41 | $88.92 | $177.84 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.