How far is Lewistown, MT from Missoula, MT?

The driving distance from Lewistown, MT to Missoula, MT is about 272 miles (437.7 km), with a travel time of about 04h 42m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 215.7 miles (347.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 24m 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
271.94 mi
04h 42m
Flight
215.65 mi
347.05 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Lewistown.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
215.65 mi
Kilometers
347.05 km
Flight Time
00h 26m

Driving Distance

Road route
271.94 mi
Kilometers
437.65 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
Wed, Apr 22, 10:34 PM MDT
Return by in Lewistown
Thu, Apr 23, 3:16 AM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Lewistown
2026-04-22T17:52
Arrive Missoula
Wed, Apr 22, 10:34 PM 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
10:42 AM to 12:42 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
7:36 AM MDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Lewistown
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
Fairfield
MT

Town in Montana, United States

From Lewistown
135.5 mi
02h 21m
To Missoula
136.5 mi
02h 21m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
71°F
Wednesday

Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
10 to 17 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 Lewistown and Missoula.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on 6th Avenue South

    121 m · 23 sec · 6th Avenue South

  2. 2

    Turn left onto West Main Street

    1.3 km · 2 min · West Main Street

  3. 3

    Continue on US Highway 87

    1.5 mi · 2 min · US Highway 87

  4. 4

    At the end of the road, turn left onto US Highway 87

    14.7 mi · 16 min · US Highway 87

  5. 5

    Continue straight

    64.3 mi · 1 hr 10 min

  6. 6

    Turn slight right

    1588 ft · 21 sec

  7. 7

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward the route

    52 m · 2 sec

  8. 8

    Exit the roundabout

    557 ft · 7 sec

  9. 9

    Continue straight

    19.3 mi · 21 min

  10. 10

    Turn right onto 57th Street South

    1.5 km · 1 min · 57th Street South

  11. 11

    Turn left onto 2nd Avenue North

    4.3 mi · 8 min · 2nd Avenue North

  12. 12

    At the end of the road, turn left onto Park Drive North

    73 m · 4 sec · Park Drive North

  13. 13

    Turn right onto 1st Avenue North

    1070 ft · 24 sec · 1st Avenue North

  14. 14

    Continue on First Avenue North Bridge

    1045 ft · 18 sec · First Avenue North Bridge

  15. 15

    Continue on Central Avenue West

    1.4 mi · 2 min · Central Avenue West

  16. 16

    Take the exit right

    1311 ft · 32 sec

  17. 17

    Merge slight left onto First Special Service Force Memorial Highway

    9.4 mi · 9 min · First Special Service Force Memorial Highway

  18. 18

    Take the exit slight right

    148.3 mi · 2 hr 48 min

  19. 19

    Keep slight right

    4.5 mi · 6 min

  20. 20

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

    1037 ft · 26 sec

  21. 21

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Van Buren Street

    63 m · 3 sec · Van Buren Street

  22. 22

    Exit the roundabout onto Van Buren Street

    65 m · 4 sec · Van Buren Street

  23. 23

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 1 toward Van Buren Street

    28 m · 1 sec · Van Buren Street

  24. 24

    Exit the roundabout onto Van Buren Street

    583 ft · 11 sec · Van Buren Street

  25. 25

    Turn right onto East Broadway Street

    3078 ft · 55 sec · East Broadway Street

  26. 26

    Turn right onto North Higgins Avenue

    6 m · 1 sec · North Higgins Avenue

  27. 27

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Higgins Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Lewistown 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
27 steps
15 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
10
1 merges, 9 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
162 mi · 60%
US Highway 87
99.9 mi · 37%
2nd Avenue North
4.25 mi · 2%
Central Avenue West
1.6 mi · 1%
57th Street South
0.94 mi
West Main Street
0.83 mi
Longest Stretch

First Special Service Force Memorial Highway

Take the exit slight right

148 mi · 02h 48m

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 24m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+56.3 mi
215.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Fairfield
02h 21m from Lewistown
Leave By
7:36 AM MDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Lewistown 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 Lewistown to Missoula?

The road trip is about 272 miles (437.7 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?

Fairfield is a useful midpoint, sitting about 135.5 miles from Lewistown and 136.5 miles from Missoula.

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

The direct path is about 215.7 miles (347.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 56.3 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 7:36 AM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $37.33 one way or $74.67 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 85.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Lewistown and Chance Light Rain then Showers And Thunderstorms near Missoula.

Stop Ideas Near Fairfield

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

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

RAIL

Shelby

99 mi away
230 W Central Avenue
RAIL

Cut Bank

117 mi away
101 BNSF Industrial Site

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Lewistown and Missoula. Straight-line distance: 215.65 mi (347.05 km).

Lewistown

#1 Lewistown

City in Montana, United States

Population5,905
Coordinates47.0624700, -109.4282400
Altitude1203
CountryUnited States
Missoula

#2 Missoula

The most populous city in Missoula County, Montana.

Population76,848
Coordinates46.8721500, -113.9940000
Altitude978
CountryUnited States
Start: 6th Avenue South (-109.428026, 47.06261)
End: North Higgins Avenue (-113.994022, 46.872156)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 438 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)09h 03m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)06h 47m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 26m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 31m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 53m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 23m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
9.59 gal
36.32 L · about $37.33
Round trip
$74.67
19.18 gal · 72.64 L
Estimated CO2
85.2 kg one way
Round trip: 170.5 kg / 376 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.89 $37.33 $74.67
Mid-grade $4.23 $40.58 $81.15
Premium $4.55 $43.62 $87.25
Diesel $5.41 $51.90 $103.80

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

There is no time difference between Lewistown and Missoula. The current time is 17:52:24.

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.