How far is Missoula, MT from Fort Benton, MT?

The driving distance from Missoula, MT to Fort Benton, MT is about 205.2 miles (330.2 km), with a travel time of about 03h 53m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 168.9 miles (271.8 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 47m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
205.2 mi
03h 53m
Flight
168.88 mi
271.79 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Missoula.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
168.88 mi
Kilometers
271.79 km
Flight Time
00h 20m

Driving Distance

Road route
205.2 mi
Kilometers
330.23 km
Drive Time
03h 53m

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 03h 53m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Fort Benton
Tue, Jun 2, 3:24 AM MDT
Return by in Missoula
Tue, Jun 2, 7:18 AM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Missoula
2026-06-01T23:30
Arrive Fort Benton
Tue, Jun 2, 3:24 AM MDT
Route Timing
03h 53m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM MDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:54 AM to 11:54 AM MDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
9:12 AM MDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Missoula
9:00 PM MDT
Early departure recommended

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
Cascade
MT

Town in Cascade County, Montana, United States

From Missoula
102.4 mi
01h 56m
To Fort Benton
102.8 mi
01h 56m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
60°F
This Afternoon

Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Mon, Jun 1 1:00 PM MDT
Wind
5 mph NW
Destination
51°F
This Afternoon

Light Rain

Starts
Mon, Jun 1 3:00 PM MDT
Wind
24 mph W

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Missoula and Fort Benton.

  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

    3.9 mi · 5 min · Jeannette Rankin Memorial Highway

  6. 6

    Take the exit slight right toward MT 200 East: Bonner, Great Falls

    148.5 mi · 2 hr 48 min

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward I 15 South: Great Falls

    1323 ft · 32 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto First Special Service Force Memorial Highway

    9.5 mi · 9 min · First Special Service Force Memorial Highway

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward I 15 Business

    1262 ft · 31 sec

  10. 10

    Turn left onto Central Avenue West

    1.3 mi · 2 min · Central Avenue West

  11. 11

    Turn left onto 3rd Street Northwest

    1.4 mi · 2 min · 3rd Street Northwest

  12. 12

    Continue on Smelter Avenue Northeast

    2885 ft · 45 sec · Smelter Avenue Northeast

  13. 13

    Turn left onto Old Havre Highway

    1.4 km · 1 min · Old Havre Highway

  14. 14

    Turn left onto 15th Street Northeast

    35.8 mi · 38 min · 15th Street Northeast

  15. 15

    Turn right onto MT 386

    1.4 mi · 3 min · MT 386

  16. 16

    Continue on Saint Charles Street

    117 m · 13 sec · Saint Charles Street

  17. 17

    Turn right onto 12th Street

    1366 ft · 1 min · 12th Street

  18. 18

    Turn left onto Main Street

    1237 ft · 57 sec · Main Street

  19. 19

    Turn right

    83 m · 21 sec

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
20 steps
10 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
6
2 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
MT 200 East
148 mi · 72%
15th Street Northeast
35.8 mi · 17%
First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
9.48 mi · 5%
Jeannette Rankin Memorial Highway
3.91 mi · 2%
3rd Street Northwest
1.43 mi · 1%
MT 386
1.38 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

MT 200 East

Take the exit slight right toward MT 200 East: Bonner, Great Falls

148 mi · 02h 48m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
03h 53m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
07h 48m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+36.3 mi
168.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Cascade
01h 56m from Missoula
Leave By
9:12 AM MDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Missoula and Light Rain near Fort Benton.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Missoula to Fort Benton?

The road trip is about 205.2 miles (330.2 km) and usually takes 03h 53m 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?

Cascade is a useful midpoint, sitting about 102.4 miles from Missoula and 102.8 miles from Fort Benton.

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

The direct path is about 168.9 miles (271.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 36.3 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 9:12 AM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $28.19 one way or $56.37 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 64.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Missoula and Light Rain near Fort Benton.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Missoula and Fort Benton. Straight-line distance: 168.88 mi (271.79 km).

Missoula

#1 Missoula

The most populous city in Missoula County, Montana.

Population76,848
Coordinates46.8721500, -113.9940000
Altitude978
CountryUnited States
Fort Benton

#2 Fort Benton

City in Montana, USA

Population1,442
Coordinates47.8183000, -110.6674400
Altitude799
CountryUnited States
Start: Missoula (-113.994, 46.87215)
End: Fort Benton (-110.66744, 47.8183)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 330 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)06h 50m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 07m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 06m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 25m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 55m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 33m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
7.24 gal
27.41 L · about $28.19
Round trip
$56.37
14.48 gal · 54.82 L
Estimated CO2
64.3 kg one way
Round trip: 128.7 kg / 284 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.89 $28.19 $56.37
Mid-grade $4.23 $30.63 $61.26
Premium $4.55 $32.93 $65.87
Diesel $5.41 $39.18 $78.37

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 · Jun 02, 2026

There is no time difference between Missoula and Fort Benton. The current time is 23:30:55.

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.