How far is Malta, MT from Whitefish, MT?
The driving distance from Malta, MT to Whitefish, MT is about 342.7 miles (551.6 km), with a travel time of about 05h 56m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 296.5 miles (477.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 53m 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 05h 56m.
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 and the county seat of Toole County, Montana, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers
Chance Light Rain then Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Malta and Whitefish.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Malta and Whitefish.
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1
Start on Central Avenue South
541 ft · 11 sec · Central Avenue South
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2
Turn left onto North 1st Street West
190.5 mi · 3 hr 35 min · North 1st Street West
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3
Continue on Main Street
1.2 km · 2 min · Main Street
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4
Turn right onto 5th Avenue North
138 m · 17 sec · 5th Avenue North
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5
Continue on West Roosevelt Highway
58 mi · 1 hr 8 min · West Roosevelt Highway
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6
Continue on East Central Avenue
1 km · 2 min · East Central Avenue
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7
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward the route
75 m · 4 sec
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8
Exit the roundabout
72.3 mi · 1 hr 20 min
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9
Turn right
842 ft · 1 min
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10
At the end of the road, turn left onto Old US 2
1930 ft · 1 min · Old US 2
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11
Turn right onto US Route 2
7.5 mi · 10 min · US Route 2
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12
Continue on US 2
3 mi · 4 min · US 2
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13
Continue on 9th Street
2 mi · 5 min · 9th Street
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14
Continue on US 2
1.6 km · 1 min · US 2
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15
Continue straight
4.5 mi · 6 min
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16
Turn right onto US 93 South
2584 ft · 51 sec · US 93 South
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17
Continue on Spokane Avenue
1.7 mi · 4 min · Spokane Avenue
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18
Turn left onto East 2nd Street
536 ft · 22 sec · East 2nd Street
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19
Turn right
51 m · 12 sec
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Malta and Whitefish.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
North 1st Street West
Turn left onto North 1st Street West
190 mi · 03h 35m
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.
Chance Rain Showers leaving Malta and Chance Light Rain then Showers And Thunderstorms near Whitefish.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Malta to Whitefish?
The road trip is about 342.7 miles (551.6 km) and usually takes 05h 56m 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?
Shelby is a useful midpoint, sitting about 171.2 miles from Malta and 171.4 miles from Whitefish.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 296.5 miles (477.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 46.2 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 5:06 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $47.07 one way or $94.13 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 107.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Malta and Chance Light Rain then Showers And Thunderstorms near Whitefish.
Stop Ideas Near Shelby
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 Shelby.
Shelby
Cut Bank
Browning
East Glacier Park
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Malta and Whitefish. Straight-line distance: 296.51 mi (477.19 km).
#1 Malta
City in Montana, US
| Population | 1,843 |
| Coordinates | 48.3597200, -107.8742800 |
| Altitude | 687 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Whitefish
City in Flathead County, Montana, United States
| Population | 8,713 |
| Coordinates | 48.4110800, -114.3376300 |
| Altitude | 923 |
| Country | United States |
End: (-114.337485, 48.411081)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 552 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 11h 25m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 34m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 51m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 42m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 53m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 16m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.89 | $47.07 | $94.13 |
| Mid-grade | $4.23 | $51.15 | $102.31 |
| Premium | $4.55 | $55.00 | $109.99 |
| Diesel | $5.41 | $65.43 | $130.86 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.