How far is Missoula, MT from Colstrip, MT?
The driving distance from Missoula, MT to Colstrip, MT is about 469.4 miles (755.5 km), with a travel time of about 08h 02m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 357.7 miles (575.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 16h 05m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 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 08h 02m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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 and the county seat of Park County, Montana, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Missoula and Colstrip.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Missoula and Colstrip.
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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
-
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
113 mi · 1 hr 53 min
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9
Continue straight
3.1 mi · 4 min
-
10
Keep slight right to continue on I 90 East: Sheridan
54 mi · 51 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward US 212 East: Little Bighorn Battlefield, Broadus
2032 ft · 54 sec
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12
Turn left
42.1 mi · 50 min
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13
Enter the roundabout and take exit 3 toward Cheyenne Avenue
100 m · 6 sec · Cheyenne Avenue
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14
Exit the roundabout onto Cheyenne Avenue
2522 ft · 43 sec · Cheyenne Avenue
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15
Continue on State Highway 39
22.2 mi · 33 min · State Highway 39
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16
Turn right onto Box Elder Avenue
2176 ft · 2 min · Box Elder Avenue
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Park Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Missoula and Colstrip.
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.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Sunny leaving Missoula and Sunny near Colstrip.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Missoula to Colstrip?
The road trip is about 469.4 miles (755.5 km) and usually takes 08h 02m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Livingston is a useful midpoint, sitting about 234.3 miles from Missoula and 235.1 miles from Colstrip.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 357.7 miles (575.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 111.7 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 7:30 AM MDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $64.47 one way or $128.94 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 147.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Missoula and Sunny near Colstrip.
Stop Ideas Near Livingston
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 Livingston.
Livingston, MT
Bozeman, MT
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Missoula and Colstrip. Straight-line distance: 357.75 mi (575.75 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 Colstrip
Town focused on coal mining and electricity production
| Population | 2,217 |
| Coordinates | 45.8841600, -106.6236400 |
| Altitude | 982 |
| Country | United States |
End: Colstrip (-106.62364, 45.88416)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 755 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 15h 38m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 11h 44m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 09h 23m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 07h 49m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 06h 42m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 05h 51m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.89 | $64.47 | $128.94 |
| Mid-grade | $4.23 | $70.07 | $140.13 |
| Premium | $4.55 | $75.33 | $150.66 |
| Diesel | $5.41 | $89.62 | $179.25 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.