How far is Missoula, MT from Billings, MT?
The driving distance from Missoula, MT to Billings, MT is about 343 miles (552 km), with a travel time of about 04h 58m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 272.6 miles (438.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 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 04h 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.
City in Gallatin County, Montana, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Light Rain then Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Missoula and Billings.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Missoula and Billings.
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1
Start on North Higgins Avenue
6 m · 8 sec · North Higgins Avenue
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2
Turn left onto East Broadway Street
3078 ft · 59 sec · East Broadway Street
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3
Turn left onto Van Buren Street
133 m · 6 sec · Van Buren Street
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4
Take the exit right
1216 ft · 30 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Jeannette Rankin Memorial Highway
115.1 mi · 1 hr 49 min · Jeannette Rankin Memorial Highway
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6
Keep slight right
110.8 mi · 1 hr 51 min
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7
Continue straight
6.9 mi · 6 min
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8
Continue straight
105.3 mi · 1 hr 45 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 90 Business: West Billings
1948 ft · 48 sec
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10
Keep slight left to continue on I 90 Business: City Center
1.7 mi · 3 min
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11
Keep slight left to continue on Montana Avenue
1.3 mi · 2 min · Montana Avenue
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12
Continue on Montana Avenue
1.4 km · 3 min · Montana Avenue
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13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Montana Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Missoula and Billings.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Jeannette Rankin Memorial Highway
Merge slight left onto Jeannette Rankin Memorial Highway
115 mi · 01h 49m
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 Light Rain then Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Missoula and Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Billings.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Missoula to Billings?
The road trip is about 343 miles (552 km) and usually takes 04h 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?
Three Forks is a useful midpoint, sitting about 171.3 miles from Missoula and 171.7 miles from Billings.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 272.6 miles (438.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 70.4 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 7:02 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $47.11 one way or $94.21 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 107.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Light Rain then Showers And Thunderstorms around Missoula and Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Billings.
Stop Ideas Near Three Forks
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 Three Forks.
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Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Missoula and Billings. Straight-line distance: 272.61 mi (438.72 km).
#1 Missoula
The most populous city in Missoula County, Montana.
| Population | 76,848 |
| Coordinates | 46.8721500, -113.9940000 |
| Altitude | 978 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Billings
The most populous city in Montana.
| Population | 117,445 |
| Coordinates | 45.7832900, -108.5006900 |
| Altitude | 952 |
| Country | United States |
End: Montana Avenue (-108.500696, 45.783296)
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 43m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 54m |
| 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 | $47.11 | $94.21 |
| Mid-grade | $4.23 | $51.20 | $102.39 |
| Premium | $4.55 | $55.04 | $110.09 |
| Diesel | $5.41 | $65.49 | $130.97 |
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.