How far is Miles City, MT from Townsend, MT?
The driving distance from Miles City, MT to Townsend, MT is about 349.7 miles (562.8 km), with a travel time of about 05h 58m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 270.9 miles (435.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 11h 57m 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 58m.
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.
Town in Montana
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Rain Showers
Light Snow
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Miles City and Townsend.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Miles City and Townsend.
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1
Start on Main Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · Main Street
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2
Continue straight
1.9 mi · 3 min
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3
Take the ramp straight
20 m · 2 sec
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4
Keep slight right
1487 ft · 36 sec
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5
Merge slight left
135.4 mi · 2 hr 19 min
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6
Merge slight left
2.8 mi · 3 min
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7
Continue straight
112.8 mi · 1 hr 52 min
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8
Continue straight
7 mi · 7 min
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9
Continue straight
57.8 mi · 59 min
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10
Take the exit slight right toward US 287: Helena, Ennis
1498 ft · 37 sec
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11
Turn right onto Highway 287
30.4 mi · 33 min · Highway 287
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12
Turn right
34 m · 8 sec
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13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Miles City and Townsend.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
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.
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.
Rain Showers leaving Miles City and Light Snow near Townsend.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Miles City to Townsend?
The road trip is about 349.7 miles (562.8 km) and usually takes 05h 58m 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?
Joliet is a useful midpoint, sitting about 174.5 miles from Miles City and 175.2 miles from Townsend.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 270.9 miles (435.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 78.8 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 5:02 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $48.04 one way or $96.08 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 109.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Rain Showers around Miles City and Light Snow near Townsend.
Stop Ideas Near Joliet
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 Joliet.
Billings, MT
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Miles City and Townsend. Straight-line distance: 270.84 mi (435.88 km).
#1 Miles City
City in Custer County, Montana
| Population | 8,264 |
| Coordinates | 46.4083400, -105.8405600 |
| Altitude | 722 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Townsend
City in Montana, USA
| Population | 2,220 |
| Coordinates | 46.3191000, -111.5208000 |
| Altitude | 1171 |
| Country | United States |
End: Townsend (-111.5208, 46.3191)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 563 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 11h 39m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 08h 44m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 59m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 49m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 59m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 21m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.89 | $48.04 | $96.08 |
| Mid-grade | $4.23 | $52.21 | $104.42 |
| Premium | $4.55 | $56.13 | $112.27 |
| Diesel | $5.41 | $66.78 | $133.57 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.