How far is Laurel, MT from Missoula, MT?

The driving distance from Laurel, MT to Missoula, MT is about 327.5 miles (527.1 km), with a travel time of about 04h 42m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 262.8 miles (423 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 25m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
327.55 mi
04h 42m
Flight
262.85 mi
423.02 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Laurel.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
262.85 mi
Kilometers
423.02 km
Flight Time
00h 31m

Driving Distance

Road route
327.55 mi
Kilometers
527.14 km
Drive Time
04h 42m

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 42m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Missoula
Thu, Apr 23, 1:50 AM MDT
Return by in Laurel
Thu, Apr 23, 6:33 AM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Laurel
2026-04-22T21:07
Arrive Missoula
Thu, Apr 23, 1:50 AM MDT
Route Timing
04h 42m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:43 AM to 12:43 PM MDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
7:34 AM MDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Laurel
9:00 PM MDT
Early departure recommended

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
Three Forks
MT

City in Gallatin County, Montana, United States

From Laurel
163.9 mi
02h 21m
To Missoula
163.7 mi
02h 21m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
77°F
Wednesday

Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
8 to 26 mph SW
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 Laurel and Missoula.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on South 1st Avenue

    1959 ft · 38 sec · South 1st Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn left

    1160 ft · 30 sec

  3. 3

    Merge slight left

    214.3 mi · 3 hr 31 min

  4. 4

    Keep slight left to continue on I 90 West: Missoula

    112.5 mi · 1 hr 47 min

  5. 5

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

    1037 ft · 26 sec

  6. 6

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Van Buren Street

    63 m · 3 sec · Van Buren Street

  7. 7

    Exit the roundabout onto Van Buren Street

    65 m · 4 sec · Van Buren Street

  8. 8

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Van Buren Street

    28 m · 1 sec · Van Buren Street

  9. 9

    Exit the roundabout onto Van Buren Street

    583 ft · 11 sec · Van Buren Street

  10. 10

    Turn right onto East Broadway Street

    3078 ft · 55 sec · East Broadway Street

  11. 11

    Turn right onto North Higgins Avenue

    6 m · 1 sec · North Higgins Avenue

  12. 12

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Higgins Avenue

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Long-distance drive

This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.

Directions
12 steps
7 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
1 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
3.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
South 1st Avenue
215 mi · 66%
I 90 West
113 mi · 34%
East Broadway Street
0.58 mi
Van Buren Street
0.21 mi
US 12 West
0.2 mi
North Higgins Avenue
0 mi
Longest Stretch

South 1st Avenue

Merge slight left

214 mi · 03h 31m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
04h 42m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
09h 26m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+64.7 mi
262.8 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Three Forks
02h 21m from Laurel
Leave By
7:34 AM MDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Laurel 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 Laurel to Missoula?

The road trip is about 327.5 miles (527.1 km) and usually takes 04h 42m 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?

Three Forks is a useful midpoint, sitting about 163.9 miles from Laurel and 163.7 miles from Missoula.

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

The direct path is about 262.8 miles (423 km), while the road route adds roughly 64.7 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 7:34 AM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $45.00 one way or $90.01 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 102.7 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Laurel and Chance Light Rain then Showers And Thunderstorms near Missoula.

Stop Ideas Near Three Forks

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

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

BUS

Bozeman, MT

32 mi away
6505 Jack Rabbit Lane
BUS

Butte, MT

76 mi away
1324 Harrison Avenue
BUS

Livingston, MT

82 mi away
1404 East Park Street \r\n

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Laurel and Missoula. Straight-line distance: 262.85 mi (423.02 km).

Laurel

#1 Laurel

City in Yellowstone County, Montana, USA

Population6,715
Coordinates45.6691200, -108.7715300
Altitude1006
CountryUnited States
Missoula

#2 Missoula

The most populous city in Missoula County, Montana.

Population76,848
Coordinates46.8721500, -113.9940000
Altitude978
CountryUnited States
Start: South 1st Avenue (-108.771477, 45.669116)
End: North Higgins Avenue (-113.994022, 46.872156)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 527 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)10h 54m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)08h 11m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)06h 33m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)05h 27m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 40m
80 mph (129 km/h)04h 05m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
11.56 gal
43.75 L · about $45.00
Round trip
$90.01
23.12 gal · 87.5 L
Estimated CO2
102.7 kg one way
Round trip: 205.5 kg / 453 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.89 $45.00 $90.01
Mid-grade $4.23 $48.91 $97.82
Premium $4.55 $52.59 $105.17
Diesel $5.41 $62.56 $125.13

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 Laurel and Missoula. The current time is 21:07:51.

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.