How far is Missoula, MT from Shelby, MT?
The driving distance from Missoula, MT to Shelby, MT is about 226.6 miles (364.6 km), with a travel time of about 04h 05m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 150.4 miles (242 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 10m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 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 04h 05m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
Town in Cascade County, Montana, United States
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 Shelby.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Missoula and Shelby.
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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
-
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
3.9 mi · 5 min · Jeannette Rankin Memorial Highway
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6
Take the exit slight right toward MT 200 East: Bonner, Great Falls
148.9 mi · 2 hr 49 min
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7
Merge slight left onto First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
71.5 mi · 1 hr 7 min · First Special Service Force Memorial Highway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 15 BUS, US 2: Shelby, Cut Bank
1483 ft · 36 sec
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9
Continue on West Roosevelt Highway
1.2 km · 2 min · West Roosevelt Highway
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10
Continue on 5th Avenue North
138 m · 17 sec · 5th Avenue North
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11
Turn left onto Main Street
1177 ft · 42 sec · Main Street
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12
Turn right onto Maple Avenue
25 m · 4 sec · Maple Avenue
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13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Maple Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Missoula and Shelby.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
MT 200 East
Take the exit slight right toward MT 200 East: Bonner, Great Falls
149 mi · 02h 49m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving Missoula and Mostly Sunny near Shelby.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Missoula to Shelby?
The road trip is about 226.6 miles (364.6 km) and usually takes 04h 05m 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 113.1 miles from Missoula and 113.5 miles from Shelby.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 150.4 miles (242 km), while the road route adds roughly 76.2 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 8:50 AM MDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $31.11 one way or $62.21 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 71 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Missoula and Mostly Sunny near Shelby.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Missoula and Shelby. Straight-line distance: 150.36 mi (241.98 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 Shelby
City in and the county seat of Toole County, Montana, United States
| Population | 2,995 |
| Coordinates | 48.5052600, -111.8569700 |
| Altitude | 1005 |
| Country | United States |
End: Shelby (-111.85697, 48.50526)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 365 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 32m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 39m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 31m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 46m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 14m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 49m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.89 | $31.11 | $62.21 |
| Mid-grade | $4.23 | $33.81 | $67.61 |
| Premium | $4.55 | $36.35 | $72.69 |
| Diesel | $5.41 | $43.24 | $86.48 |
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 · May 01, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.