How far is Columbia Falls, MT from Missoula, MT?

The driving distance from Columbia Falls, MT to Missoula, MT is about 124.9 miles (201 km), with a travel time of about 02h 24m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 104 miles (167.4 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 48m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT.
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
124.88 mi
02h 24m
Flight
104.03 mi
167.42 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Columbia Falls.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
104.03 mi
Kilometers
167.42 km
Flight Time
00h 12m

Driving Distance

Road route
124.88 mi
Kilometers
200.98 km
Drive Time
02h 24m

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 24m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Missoula
Thu, Apr 23, 12:51 AM MDT
Return by in Columbia Falls
Thu, Apr 23, 3:15 AM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Columbia Falls
2026-04-22T22:26
Arrive Missoula
Thu, Apr 23, 12:51 AM MDT
Route Timing
02h 24m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:24 AM to 12:24 PM MDT

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

Leave by
1:42 PM MDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Columbia Falls
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
Pablo
MT

Census-designated place in Broward County, Florida

From Columbia Falls
62.3 mi
01h 12m
To Missoula
62.6 mi
01h 12m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
61°F
Wednesday

Chance Light Rain then Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
2 to 7 mph NNW
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 Columbia Falls and Missoula.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Columbia Falls and Missoula.

  1. 1

    Start on 7th Street West

    31 m · 7 sec · 7th Street West

  2. 2

    Turn right onto Nucleus Avenue

    784 ft · 34 sec · Nucleus Avenue

  3. 3

    At the end of the road, turn left onto 9th Street

    1603 ft · 49 sec · 9th Street

  4. 4

    Continue on US 2

    1.3 mi · 2 min · US 2

  5. 5

    Turn right

    9.7 mi · 12 min

  6. 6

    At the end of the road, turn left

    45 mi · 1 hr 8 min

  7. 7

    At the end of the road, turn left

    58.6 mi · 1 hr 11 min

  8. 8

    Continue on West Broadway Street

    925 ft · 24 sec · West Broadway Street

  9. 9

    Continue on West Broadway Street

    733 ft · 18 sec · West Broadway Street

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward I 90 East: Missoula

    8.2 mi · 9 min

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward Orange Street

    1178 ft · 30 sec

  12. 12

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward North Orange Street

    29 m · 2 sec · North Orange Street

  13. 13

    Exit the roundabout onto North Orange Street

    2690 ft · 1 min · North Orange Street

  14. 14

    Turn left onto West Broadway Street

    1172 ft · 29 sec · West Broadway Street

  15. 15

    Turn left onto North Higgins Avenue

    6 m · 1 sec · North Higgins Avenue

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Higgins Avenue

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
16 steps
9 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
0 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
12.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 90 East
8.19 mi · 7%
US 2
1.3 mi · 1%
West Broadway Street
0.54 mi
North Orange Street
0.53 mi
9th Street
0.3 mi
Orange Street
0.22 mi
Longest Stretch

Longest stretch

At the end of the road, turn left

58.6 mi · 01h 11m

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 24m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
04h 48m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+20.9 mi
104 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Pablo
01h 12m from Columbia Falls
Leave By
1:42 PM MDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Light Rain then Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Columbia Falls 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 Columbia Falls to Missoula?

The road trip is about 124.9 miles (201 km) and usually takes 02h 24m 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?

Pablo is a useful midpoint, sitting about 62.3 miles from Columbia Falls and 62.6 miles from Missoula.

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

The direct path is about 104 miles (167.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 20.9 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 1:42 PM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.17 one way or $34.34 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 39.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Pablo

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

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

BUS

Missoula, MT

80 mi away
1660 West Broadway Street
RAIL

Essex

85 mi away
290 Izaak Walton Inn Rd
RAIL

Whitefish station

92 mi away
500 Depot Street
RAIL

West Glacier

101 mi away
Hwy 2 and Going-to-the-Sun Rd.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Columbia Falls and Missoula. Straight-line distance: 104.03 mi (167.42 km).

Columbia Falls

#1 Columbia Falls

Town in Montana, United States

Population6,209
Coordinates48.3724600, -114.1815200
Altitude941
CountryUnited States
Missoula

#2 Missoula

The most populous city in Missoula County, Montana.

Population76,848
Coordinates46.8721500, -113.9940000
Altitude978
CountryUnited States
Start: 7th Street West (-114.18152, 48.372459)
End: North Higgins Avenue (-113.994022, 46.872156)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 201 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 09m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 07m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 29m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 04m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 47m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 33m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
4.41 gal
16.68 L · about $17.17
Round trip
$34.34
8.82 gal · 33.36 L
Estimated CO2
39.2 kg one way
Round trip: 78.4 kg / 173 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.89 $17.17 $34.34
Mid-grade $4.23 $18.66 $37.32
Premium $4.55 $20.06 $40.12
Diesel $5.41 $23.87 $47.73

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 Columbia Falls and Missoula. The current time is 22:26:43.

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.