How far is Colstrip, MT from Whitefish, MT?
The driving distance from Colstrip, MT to Whitefish, MT is about 538.2 miles (866.2 km), with a travel time of about 09h 15m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 402.1 miles (647.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 18h 31m 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 09h 15m.
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 in Gallatin 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 Whitefish.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Colstrip and Whitefish.
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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
42.6 mi · 40 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward US 12 East: Helena, Garrison
1.2 mi · 2 min
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12
At the end of the road, turn right
12.9 mi · 14 min
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13
Turn sharp left
32.5 mi · 35 min
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14
At the end of the road, turn left
23.8 mi · 26 min
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15
Turn right
91.1 mi · 1 hr 44 min
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16
At the end of the road, turn right
1821 ft · 39 sec
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17
Turn left
6.9 mi · 9 min
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18
Turn right onto US 93 South
4.8 mi · 6 min · US 93 South
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19
Turn left onto Kalispell Bypass
1305 ft · 25 sec · Kalispell Bypass
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20
Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Kalispell Bypass
46 m · 2 sec · Kalispell Bypass
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21
Exit the roundabout onto Kalispell Bypass
1.6 km · 1 min · Kalispell Bypass
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22
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Kalispell Bypass
52 m · 2 sec · Kalispell Bypass
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23
Exit the roundabout onto Kalispell Bypass
6.3 mi · 8 min · Kalispell Bypass
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24
Turn left onto US 93 North
6.8 mi · 8 min · US 93 North
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25
Continue on US 93 South
3.2 mi · 4 min · US 93 South
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26
Continue on Spokane Avenue
1.7 mi · 4 min · Spokane Avenue
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27
Turn left onto East 2nd Street
536 ft · 22 sec · East 2nd Street
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28
Turn right
51 m · 12 sec
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29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Colstrip and Whitefish.
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 Whitefish.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Colstrip to Whitefish?
The road trip is about 538.2 miles (866.2 km) and usually takes 09h 15m 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?
Three Forks is a useful midpoint, sitting about 293.7 miles from Colstrip and 244.6 miles from Whitefish.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 402.1 miles (647.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 136.1 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 $73.93 one way or $147.86 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 168.8 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 Whitefish.
Stop Ideas Near Three Forks
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 Three Forks.
Bozeman, MT
Butte, MT
Livingston, MT
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Colstrip and Whitefish. Straight-line distance: 402.1 mi (647.11 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 Whitefish
City in Flathead County, Montana, United States
| Population | 8,713 |
| Coordinates | 48.4110800, -114.3376300 |
| Altitude | 923 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-114.337485, 48.411081)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 866 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 17h 56m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 13h 27m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 10h 45m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 08h 58m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 07h 41m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 06h 42m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.89 | $73.93 | $147.86 |
| Mid-grade | $4.23 | $80.35 | $160.69 |
| Premium | $4.55 | $86.39 | $172.77 |
| Diesel | $5.41 | $102.77 | $205.55 |
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 22, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.