How far is Miles City, MT from Three Forks, MT?

The driving distance from Miles City, MT to Three Forks, MT is about 317 miles (510.2 km), with a travel time of about 05h 23m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 275.6 miles (443.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 47m 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
317.05 mi
05h 23m
Flight
275.64 mi
443.6 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Miles City.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
275.64 mi
Kilometers
443.6 km
Flight Time
00h 33m

Driving Distance

Road route
317.05 mi
Kilometers
510.24 km
Drive Time
05h 23m

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 23m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Three Forks
Tue, May 19, 12:05 AM MDT
Return by in Miles City
Tue, May 19, 5:29 AM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Miles City
2026-05-18T18:41
Arrive Three Forks
Tue, May 19, 12:05 AM MDT
Route Timing
05h 23m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:24 AM to 1:24 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
6:12 AM MDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Miles City
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
Laurel
MT

City in Yellowstone County, Montana, USA

From Miles City
158.2 mi
02h 41m
To Three Forks
158.9 mi
02h 41m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
48°F
Monday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Mon, May 18 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
12 mph N
Destination
53°F
Monday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Mon, May 18 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
3 to 9 mph N

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Miles City and Three Forks.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Miles City and Three Forks.

  1. 1

    Start on Main Street

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Main Street

  2. 2

    Continue straight

    1.9 mi · 3 min

  3. 3

    Take the ramp straight

    20 m · 2 sec

  4. 4

    Keep slight right

    1487 ft · 36 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left

    135.4 mi · 2 hr 19 min

  6. 6

    Merge slight left

    2.8 mi · 3 min

  7. 7

    Continue straight

    112.8 mi · 1 hr 52 min

  8. 8

    Continue straight

    7 mi · 7 min

  9. 9

    Continue straight

    54.2 mi · 55 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward MT 2, MT 205: Three Forks

    1267 ft · 37 sec

  11. 11

    Turn left onto Frontage Road

    1.1 mi · 2 min · Frontage Road

  12. 12

    Continue on North Main Street

    1155 ft · 20 sec · North Main Street

  13. 13

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Main Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Miles City and Three Forks.

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
13 steps
1 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
2 merges, 2 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
4.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Main Street
316 mi · 100%
Frontage Road
1.07 mi
MT 2
0.24 mi
North Main Street
0.22 mi
Longest Stretch

Main Street

Merge slight left

135 mi · 02h 19m

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
05h 23m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
10h 48m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+41.4 mi
275.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Laurel
02h 41m from Miles City
Leave By
6:12 AM MDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving Miles City and Partly Sunny near Three Forks.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Miles City to Three Forks?

The road trip is about 317 miles (510.2 km) and usually takes 05h 23m 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?

Laurel is a useful midpoint, sitting about 158.2 miles from Miles City and 158.9 miles from Three Forks.

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

The direct path is about 275.6 miles (443.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 41.4 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 6:12 AM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $43.56 one way or $87.13 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 99.4 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around Miles City and Partly Sunny near Three Forks.

Stop Ideas Near Laurel

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

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

BUS

Billings, MT

24 mi away
2501 1st Avenue North

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Miles City and Three Forks. Straight-line distance: 275.64 mi (443.6 km).

Miles City

#1 Miles City

City in Custer County, Montana

Population8,264
Coordinates46.4083400, -105.8405600
Altitude722
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Three Forks

City in Gallatin County, Montana, United States

Population1,926
Coordinates45.8924300, -111.5521900
Altitude1242
CountryUnited States
Start: Miles City (-105.84056, 46.40834)
End: Three Forks (-111.55219, 45.89243)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 510 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)10h 33m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)07h 55m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)06h 20m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)05h 17m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 31m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 57m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
11.19 gal
42.35 L · about $43.56
Round trip
$87.13
22.38 gal · 84.7 L
Estimated CO2
99.4 kg one way
Round trip: 198.9 kg / 438 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.89 $43.56 $87.13
Mid-grade $4.23 $47.34 $94.69
Premium $4.55 $50.90 $101.81
Diesel $5.41 $60.56 $121.12

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 · May 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Miles City and Three Forks. The current time is 18:41:22.

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.