How far is Missoula, MT from Columbia Falls, MT?
Fastest route
The distance from Missoula, Montana to Columbia Falls, Montana 59912 is approximately 125 miles (201 kilometers). The estimated travel time is 2 hours and 19 minutes.
Directions
- Head northwest on W Broadway St toward Ryman St.
- Turn right onto Old U.S. 93 E/N Orange St.
- At the traffic circle, take the 2nd exit onto Old U.S. 93 E/N Orange St.
- Take US-93 N to Montana Hwy 35 W/S Shore Rd in Lake County.
- Take exit 96 to merge onto MT-200 W/US-93 N/U.S. Hwy 93 N toward Kalispell.
- Continue on Montana Hwy 35 W to Flathead County.
- Turn right onto Montana Hwy 35 W/S Shore Rd, then continue to follow Montana Hwy 35 W.
- Turn right onto Montana Hwy 206/Mt Hwy 206, and continue to follow Montana Hwy 206.
- Turn left onto U.S. Rte 2.
- Follow Nucleus Ave to N Fork Rd/Railroad St E.
- Turn right onto Nucleus Ave, which will become N Fork Rd/Railroad St E.
Tips & Suggestions
- 🚗 Plan for a rest stop or two during the 2-hour drive to Columbia Falls.
- 🛣️ Check real-time traffic conditions to choose the fastest route.
- ⛽ Make sure to have enough fuel for the journey.
- 🍔 Pack some snacks and water for the road trip.
- 📱 Keep your phone charged in case you need to use GPS or make calls.
- 🚧 Be aware of any construction or road closures that may affect your route.
- 🌄 Enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way!
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 22m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Census-designated place in Broward County, Florida
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Missoula and Columbia Falls.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Missoula and Columbia Falls.
-
1
Start on North Higgins Avenue
6 m · 5 sec · North Higgins Avenue
-
2
Turn right onto West Broadway Street
1172 ft · 26 sec · West Broadway Street
-
3
Turn right onto North Orange Street
2669 ft · 1 min · North Orange Street
-
4
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward North Orange Street
34 m · 2 sec · North Orange Street
-
5
Exit the roundabout onto North Orange Street
85 m · 5 sec · North Orange Street
-
6
Take the ramp straight
56 m · 5 sec
-
7
Continue straight
911 ft · 22 sec
-
8
Merge slight left onto Jeannette Rankin Memorial Highway
8 mi · 9 min · Jeannette Rankin Memorial Highway
-
9
Take the exit slight right toward US 93 North, MT 200 West: Kalispell
1009 ft · 25 sec
-
10
Keep slight right to continue on US 93 North, MT 200 West: Kalispell
58.5 mi · 1 hr 11 min
-
11
Turn right
44.9 mi · 1 hr 8 min
-
12
Continue straight
61 m · 7 sec
-
13
Turn right
9.7 mi · 12 min
-
14
At the end of the road, turn left onto US 2
1.3 mi · 2 min · US 2
-
15
Continue on 9th Street
1603 ft · 53 sec · 9th Street
-
16
Turn right onto Nucleus Avenue
784 ft · 32 sec · Nucleus Avenue
-
17
Turn left onto 7th Street West
31 m · 4 sec · 7th Street West
-
18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 7th Street West
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Missoula and Columbia Falls.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
US 93 North
Keep slight right to continue on US 93 North, MT 200 West: Kalispell
58.5 mi · 01h 11m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving Missoula and Mostly Sunny near Columbia Falls.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Missoula to Columbia Falls?
The road trip is about 125.1 miles (201.4 km) and usually takes 02h 22m 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?
Pablo is a useful midpoint, sitting about 62.1 miles from Missoula and 63.1 miles from Columbia Falls.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 104 miles (167.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 21.1 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 1:44 PM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $17.21 one way or $34.41 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 39.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Missoula and Mostly Sunny near Columbia Falls.
Stop Ideas Near Pablo
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 Pablo.
Missoula, MT
Essex
Whitefish station
West Glacier
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Missoula and Columbia Falls. Straight-line distance: 104.03 mi (167.42 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 Columbia Falls
Town in Montana, United States
| Population | 6,209 |
| Coordinates | 48.3724600, -114.1815200 |
| Altitude | 941 |
| Country | United States |
End: 7th Street West (-114.18152, 48.372459)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 201 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 10m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 07m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 30m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 05m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 47m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 33m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.89 | $17.21 | $34.41 |
| Mid-grade | $4.23 | $18.70 | $37.40 |
| Premium | $4.55 | $20.11 | $40.21 |
| Diesel | $5.41 | $23.92 | $47.84 |
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.