How far is Missoula, MT from Polson, MT?

The driving distance from Missoula, MT to Polson, MT is about 70.6 miles (113.6 km), with a travel time of about 01h 16m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 57.3 miles (92.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 33m 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
70.59 mi
01h 16m
Flight
57.3 mi
92.22 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
57.3 mi
Kilometers
92.22 km
Flight Time
00h 06m

Driving Distance

Road route
70.59 mi
Kilometers
113.6 km
Drive Time
01h 16m

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 01h 16m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Polson
Wed, Apr 22, 6:55 PM MDT
Return by in Missoula
Wed, Apr 22, 8:11 PM MDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Missoula
2026-04-22T17:38
Arrive Polson
Wed, Apr 22, 6:55 PM MDT
Route Timing
01h 16m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:17 AM to 11:17 AM MDT

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

Leave by
3:56 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
Saint Ignatius
MT

Town of the United States

From Missoula
34.8 mi
00h 38m
To Polson
35.8 mi
00h 38m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
62°F
Wednesday

Chance Light Rain then Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
2 to 8 mph W
Destination
59°F
Wednesday

Chance Light Rain then Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM MDT
Wind
3 to 12 mph SW

Driving Route Map

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

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on North Higgins Avenue

    6 m · 5 sec · North Higgins Avenue

  2. 2

    Turn right onto West Broadway Street

    1172 ft · 26 sec · West Broadway Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto North Orange Street

    2669 ft · 1 min · North Orange Street

  4. 4

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward North Orange Street

    34 m · 2 sec · North Orange Street

  5. 5

    Exit the roundabout onto North Orange Street

    85 m · 5 sec · North Orange Street

  6. 6

    Take the ramp straight

    56 m · 5 sec

  7. 7

    Continue straight

    911 ft · 22 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto Jeannette Rankin Memorial Highway

    8 mi · 9 min · Jeannette Rankin Memorial Highway

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward US 93 North, MT 200 West: Kalispell

    1009 ft · 25 sec

  10. 10

    Keep slight right to continue on US 93 North, MT 200 West: Kalispell

    60.4 mi · 1 hr 15 min

  11. 11

    Turn left onto Main Street

    94 m · 6 sec · Main Street

  12. 12

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Main Street

Car Route Details

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

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
12 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
1 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
17 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
US 93 North
60.6 mi · 86%
Jeannette Rankin Memorial Highway
8.03 mi · 11%
North Orange Street
0.79 mi · 1%
West Broadway Street
0.22 mi
Main Street
0.06 mi
North Higgins Avenue
0 mi
Longest Stretch

US 93 North

Keep slight right to continue on US 93 North, MT 200 West: Kalispell

60.4 mi · 01h 15m

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
01h 16m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 34m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+13.3 mi
57.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Saint Ignatius
00h 38m from Missoula
Leave By
3:56 PM MDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Light Rain then Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Missoula and Chance Light Rain then Showers And Thunderstorms near Polson.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

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

The road trip is about 70.6 miles (113.6 km) and usually takes 01h 16m 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?

Saint Ignatius is a useful midpoint, sitting about 34.8 miles from Missoula and 35.8 miles from Polson.

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

The direct path is about 57.3 miles (92.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.3 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM MDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:56 PM MDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $9.69 one way or $19.39 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 22.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Light Rain then Showers And Thunderstorms around Missoula and Chance Light Rain then Showers And Thunderstorms near Polson.

Stop Ideas Near Saint Ignatius

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Saint Ignatius, 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 Saint Ignatius.

BUS

Missoula, MT

49 mi away
1660 West Broadway Street
RAIL

Essex

113 mi away
290 Izaak Walton Inn Rd

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Missoula and Polson. Straight-line distance: 57.3 mi (92.22 km).

Missoula

#1 Missoula

The most populous city in Missoula County, Montana.

Population76,848
Coordinates46.8721500, -113.9940000
Altitude978
CountryUnited States
Polson

#2 Polson

City in Lake County, Montana, United States

Population5,181
Coordinates47.6935500, -114.1631700
Altitude892
CountryUnited States
Start: North Higgins Avenue (-113.994022, 46.872156)
End: Main Street (-114.163409, 47.69355)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 114 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 21m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 45m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 24m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 10m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 00m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 52m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.49 gal
9.43 L · about $9.69
Round trip
$19.39
4.98 gal · 18.86 L
Estimated CO2
22.1 kg one way
Round trip: 44.3 kg / 98 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.89 $9.69 $19.39
Mid-grade $4.23 $10.54 $21.07
Premium $4.55 $11.33 $22.65
Diesel $5.41 $13.48 $26.95

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

There is no time difference between Missoula and Polson. The current time is 17:38:41.

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.