How far is Fort Benton, MT from Kalispell, MT?
The driving distance from Fort Benton, MT to Kalispell, MT is about 255.6 miles (411.4 km), with a travel time of about 04h 35m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 170.5 miles (274.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 11m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 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 04h 35m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 Glacier County, Montana, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny then Chance Light Snow
Slight Chance Light Snow then Chance Snow Showers
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Fort Benton and Kalispell.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fort Benton and Kalispell.
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1
Start on the route
24 m · 6 sec
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2
Turn right
59 m · 19 sec
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3
Turn left onto Main Street
1237 ft · 54 sec · Main Street
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4
Turn right onto 12th Street
1366 ft · 1 min · 12th Street
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5
Turn left onto Saint Charles Street
117 m · 11 sec · Saint Charles Street
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6
Continue on MT 386
1.4 mi · 3 min · MT 386
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7
Turn right onto US 87
1.6 mi · 2 min · US 87
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8
Take the ramp left
40 m · 3 sec
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9
Turn straight onto MT 223
52.3 mi · 56 min · MT 223
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10
Continue on 5th Street West
2814 ft · 1 min · 5th Street West
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11
At the end of the road, turn left
42.4 mi · 48 min
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12
Turn right onto 5th Avenue North
138 m · 17 sec · 5th Avenue North
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13
Continue on West Roosevelt Highway
58 mi · 1 hr 8 min · West Roosevelt Highway
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14
Continue on East Central Avenue
1 km · 2 min · East Central Avenue
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15
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward the route
75 m · 4 sec
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16
Exit the roundabout
72.3 mi · 1 hr 20 min
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17
Turn right
842 ft · 1 min
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18
At the end of the road, turn left onto Old US 2
1930 ft · 1 min · Old US 2
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19
Turn right onto US Route 2
7.5 mi · 10 min · US Route 2
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20
Continue on US 2
1.7 mi · 2 min · US 2
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21
Turn left
9.7 mi · 12 min
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22
At the end of the road, turn right
5.7 mi · 8 min
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23
Continue on US Route 2
1.2 mi · 2 min · US Route 2
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24
Turn left onto Woodland Park Drive
2198 ft · 1 min · Woodland Park Drive
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25
At the end of the road, turn right onto Conrad Drive
1451 ft · 40 sec · Conrad Drive
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26
Continue on 2nd Street East
1235 ft · 39 sec · 2nd Street East
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27
Turn left onto 3rd Avenue East
112 m · 12 sec · 3rd Avenue East
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28
Turn right onto 3rd Street East
1169 ft · 34 sec · 3rd Street East
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29
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 3rd Street West
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Fort Benton and Kalispell.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
East Central Avenue
Exit the roundabout
72.3 mi · 01h 20m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Sunny then Chance Light Snow leaving Fort Benton and Slight Chance Light Snow then Chance Snow Showers near Kalispell.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Fort Benton to Kalispell?
The road trip is about 255.6 miles (411.4 km) and usually takes 04h 35m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Cut Bank is a useful midpoint, sitting about 128.5 miles from Fort Benton and 127.1 miles from Kalispell.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 170.5 miles (274.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 85.1 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 8:00 AM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:48 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $35.11 one way or $70.23 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 80.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Chance Light Snow around Fort Benton and Slight Chance Light Snow then Chance Snow Showers near Kalispell.
Stop Ideas Near Cut Bank
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 Cut Bank.
Cut Bank
Shelby
Browning
East Glacier Park
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Fort Benton and Kalispell. Straight-line distance: 170.5 mi (274.4 km).
#1 Fort Benton
City in Montana, USA
| Population | 1,442 |
| Coordinates | 47.8183000, -110.6674400 |
| Altitude | 799 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Kalispell
City in Flathead County, Montana, United States
| Population | 25,329 |
| Coordinates | 48.1957900, -114.3129100 |
| Altitude | 901 |
| Country | United States |
End: 3rd Street West (-114.312918, 48.195812)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 411 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 31m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 23m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 06m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 15m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 39m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 11m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.89 | $35.11 | $70.23 |
| Mid-grade | $4.23 | $38.16 | $76.33 |
| Premium | $4.55 | $41.03 | $82.06 |
| Diesel | $5.41 | $48.82 | $97.63 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.