How far is Dillon, MT from Missoula, MT?

The driving distance from Dillon, MT to Missoula, MT is about 172.1 miles (276.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 37m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 131.6 miles (211.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 15m 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
172.06 mi
02h 37m
Flight
131.61 mi
211.8 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Dillon.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
131.61 mi
Kilometers
211.8 km
Flight Time
00h 15m

Driving Distance

Road route
172.06 mi
Kilometers
276.9 km
Drive Time
02h 37m

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 37m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Missoula
Thu, Apr 23, 7:39 AM MDT
Return by in Dillon
Thu, Apr 23, 10:17 AM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Dillon
2026-04-23T05:01
Arrive Missoula
Thu, Apr 23, 7:39 AM MDT
Route Timing
02h 37m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:38 AM to 12:38 PM MDT

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

Leave by
1:14 PM MDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Dillon
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 Dillon
85.9 mi
01h 18m
To Missoula
86.1 mi
01h 18m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
48°F
Thursday

Rain And Snow Likely

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
14 to 18 mph NNW
Destination
51°F
Thursday

Chance Light Rain then Chance Rain And Snow

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
2 to 7 mph NW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on South Idaho Street

    107 m · 21 sec · South Idaho Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto East Bannack Street

    1489 ft · 41 sec · East Bannack Street

  3. 3

    Continue on Black Tail Boulevard

    2999 ft · 1 min · Black Tail Boulevard

  4. 4

    Turn left

    127 m · 7 sec

  5. 5

    Take the ramp straight

    57 m · 5 sec

  6. 6

    Keep slight right

    57.3 mi · 54 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight left toward I 90 West: Missoula

    2808 ft · 1 min

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto I 90 West: Missoula

    112.1 mi · 1 hr 46 min

  9. 9

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

    1037 ft · 25 sec

  10. 10

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Van Buren Street

    63 m · 3 sec · Van Buren Street

  11. 11

    Exit the roundabout onto Van Buren Street

    65 m · 3 sec · Van Buren Street

  12. 12

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Van Buren Street

    28 m · 1 sec · Van Buren Street

  13. 13

    Exit the roundabout onto Van Buren Street

    583 ft · 11 sec · Van Buren Street

  14. 14

    Turn right onto East Broadway Street

    3078 ft · 55 sec · East Broadway Street

  15. 15

    Turn right 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 Dillon and Missoula.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
16 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
1 merges, 7 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.3 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 90 West
113 mi · 65%
Black Tail Boulevard
57.9 mi · 34%
East Broadway Street
0.58 mi
East Bannack Street
0.28 mi
Van Buren Street
0.21 mi
US 12 West
0.2 mi
Longest Stretch

I 90 West

Merge slight left onto I 90 West: Missoula

112 mi · 01h 46m

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 37m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 16m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+40.5 mi
131.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Deer Lodge
01h 18m from Dillon
Leave By
1:14 PM MDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Rain And Snow Likely leaving Dillon and Chance Light Rain then Chance Rain And Snow near Missoula.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 172.1 miles (276.9 km) and usually takes 02h 37m 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 85.9 miles from Dillon and 86.1 miles from Missoula.

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

The direct path is about 131.6 miles (211.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 40.5 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 1:14 PM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.63 one way or $47.26 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 53.9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Rain And Snow Likely around Dillon and Chance Light Rain then Chance Rain And Snow 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 Dillon and Missoula. Straight-line distance: 131.61 mi (211.8 km).

Dillon

#1 Dillon

City in Montana, United States

Population4,333
Coordinates45.2163100, -112.6375200
Altitude1555
CountryUnited States
Missoula

#2 Missoula

The most populous city in Missoula County, Montana.

Population76,848
Coordinates46.8721500, -113.9940000
Altitude978
CountryUnited States
Start: South Idaho Street (-112.637539, 45.216321)
End: North Higgins Avenue (-113.994022, 46.872156)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 277 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 43m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 18m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 26m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 52m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 27m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 08m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.07 gal
22.98 L · about $23.63
Round trip
$47.26
12.14 gal · 45.96 L
Estimated CO2
53.9 kg one way
Round trip: 107.9 kg / 238 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.89 $23.63 $47.26
Mid-grade $4.23 $25.68 $51.36
Premium $4.55 $27.61 $55.22
Diesel $5.41 $32.85 $65.70

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 Dillon and Missoula. The current time is 05:01:41.

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.