How far is Missoula, MT from Boulder, MT?

The driving distance from Missoula, MT to Boulder, MT is about 143.6 miles (231.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 30m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 99.2 miles (159.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 01m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
143.63 mi
02h 30m
Flight
99.24 mi
159.71 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Missoula.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
99.24 mi
Kilometers
159.71 km
Flight Time
00h 11m

Driving Distance

Road route
143.63 mi
Kilometers
231.15 km
Drive Time
02h 30m

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 02h 30m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Boulder
Sat, Apr 18, 6:53 AM MDT
Return by in Missoula
Sat, Apr 18, 9:24 AM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Missoula
2026-04-18T04:23
Arrive Boulder
Sat, Apr 18, 6:53 AM MDT
Route Timing
02h 30m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:31 AM to 12:31 PM MDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
1:28 PM MDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Missoula
9:30 PM MDT
Morning start is best

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
Deer Lodge
MT

City in and the county seat of Powell County, Montana, United States

From Missoula
71.7 mi
01h 15m
To Boulder
72 mi
01h 15m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
60°F
Saturday

Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
1 to 5 mph SSW
Destination
50°F
Saturday

Sunny

Starts
Sat, Apr 18 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
3 to 10 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Missoula and Boulder.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on North Higgins Avenue

    6 m · 8 sec · North Higgins Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn left onto East Broadway Street

    3078 ft · 59 sec · East Broadway Street

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Van Buren Street

    133 m · 6 sec · Van Buren Street

  4. 4

    Take the exit right

    1216 ft · 30 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto Jeannette Rankin Memorial Highway

    67.9 mi · 1 hr 5 min · Jeannette Rankin Memorial Highway

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward US 12 East: Garrison, Helena

    43.8 mi · 51 min

  7. 7

    Continue on West Lyndale Avenue

    2326 ft · 1 min · West Lyndale Avenue

  8. 8

    Turn left onto North Last Chance Gulch Street

    1.1 km · 2 min · North Last Chance Gulch Street

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on North Last Chance Gulch Street

    677 ft · 18 sec · North Last Chance Gulch Street

  10. 10

    Continue on Cedar Street

    2883 ft · 1 min · Cedar Street

  11. 11

    Take the ramp slight right toward Butte

    1290 ft · 31 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left onto First Special Service Force Memorial Highway

    27.9 mi · 26 min · First Special Service Force Memorial Highway

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward MT 69: Boulder

    1242 ft · 37 sec

  14. 14

    Turn left

    1.3 km · 1 min

  15. 15

    Turn right onto West Centennial Avenue

    112 m · 16 sec · West Centennial Avenue

  16. 16

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · West Centennial Avenue

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Missoula and Boulder.

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
16 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
11.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Jeannette Rankin Memorial Highway
67.9 mi · 47%
US 12 East
43.8 mi · 31%
First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
27.9 mi · 19%
North Last Chance Gulch Street
0.82 mi · 1%
East Broadway Street
0.58 mi
Cedar Street
0.55 mi
Longest Stretch

Jeannette Rankin Memorial Highway

Merge slight left onto Jeannette Rankin Memorial Highway

67.9 mi · 01h 05m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 30m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 02m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+44.4 mi
99.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Deer Lodge
01h 15m from Missoula
Leave By
1:28 PM MDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving Missoula and Sunny near Boulder.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Missoula to Boulder?

The road trip is about 143.6 miles (231.1 km) and usually takes 02h 30m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Deer Lodge is a useful midpoint, sitting about 71.7 miles from Missoula and 72 miles from Boulder.

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

The direct path is about 99.2 miles (159.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 44.4 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:28 PM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.74 one way or $39.48 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 45.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around Missoula and Sunny near Boulder.

Stop Ideas Near Deer Lodge

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

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

BUS

Butte, MT

47 mi away
1324 Harrison Avenue
BUS

Missoula, MT

112 mi away
1660 West Broadway Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Missoula and Boulder. Straight-line distance: 99.24 mi (159.71 km).

Missoula

#1 Missoula

The most populous city in Missoula County, Montana.

Population76,848
Coordinates46.8721500, -113.9940000
Altitude978
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 Boulder

Town in Montana

Population1,291
Coordinates46.2365900, -112.1208300
Altitude1496
CountryUnited States
Start: Missoula (-113.994, 46.87215)
End: Boulder (-112.12083, 46.23659)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 231 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)04h 47m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 35m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)02h 52m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 23m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 03m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 47m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.07 gal
19.19 L · about $19.74
Round trip
$39.48
10.14 gal · 38.38 L
Estimated CO2
45.1 kg one way
Round trip: 90.1 kg / 199 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.89 $19.74 $39.48
Mid-grade $4.23 $21.45 $42.90
Premium $4.55 $23.06 $46.13
Diesel $5.41 $27.44 $54.88

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 18, 2026

There is no time difference between Missoula and Boulder. The current time is 04:23:04.

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.